Prashanth Madhukar Gurav is currently working as a yoga therapist with the Reethi Faru Resort in Filaidhoo Atoll, Maldives.
Flashback to 2008. His formative years from class 6 upwards were spent in in an equally serene, calm and tranquil surrounding. Located in Ronopal village, Sindhudurga district, the Dayasagar AIM for Seva Chatralayam is bound to take one back to childhood storybook days. Close to the Goa border, this picturesque boarding residence is today home to 29 boys.
Recounting those days, Prashanth says he learnt how discipline is key to becoming successful in life. “I have lot of happy memories of playing and singing in the hostel compound. I used to always look forward to the evening bhajan sessions,” he says. A relative of his was staying in the same area and recommended the boarding residence to his parents.
Prashanth adds that the Chatralayam intervention during his formative years has held him in good stead. “What I learned in those five years in the Chatralayam is now part of my daily living.” With yoga being part and parcel of the AFS flagship programme, Chatralayam’s curriculum, this ancient Indian form of exercise soon became Prashanth Madhukar Gurav’s mainstay. He went on to complete a full fledged programme in yoga from the Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Sandhana Samasthana, Bengaluru.
“Even during the hostel years, I loved teaching the young kids basic yoga postures,” reveals Prashanth. In fact, he had the distinction of being featured in one of the videos brought out by the organization, teaching yoga to students in his alma mater at Sawantwadi.
With interest plus requisite qualifications to boot, it was time to become a full fledged yoga instructor in 2017. What’s fascinating is that the scenic trails continued. Prashanth spent the first few years in India working as a yoga instructor in the Tamara Coorg. This property is noted for its experience in refined luxury in the lap of nature.
In between, he also had a short stint as a yoga teacher at Taj’s Goa property. Three and a half years before, the current role in Maldives beckoned through an online job posting. Currently, he is working as full fledged yoga therapist in this beautiful atoll in the Indian ocean. “If at all, the only minus that this is a remote island in the Maldives archipelago,” shares Prashanth.
With yoga gaining international currency, Prashanth is setting sights on opening a yoga institute someday. He gives a parting shot. “One thing that I would like to tell all our Chatralayam students is not to forget AIM for Seva because that is the ‘way of life’!”
Loads of compliments to you Prashanth and best wishes for a successful career as a yoga entrepreneur.