TEAM BREATHE

MAHALAKSHMI MAHADEVAN, PH.D.,

Founding Member

"Om Hreem Shree Gurubhyo Namah.

(Salutations to the Supreme Teacher)

- Guru Mantra

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I took my first Pranayama workshop in Chennai, India, over 20 years ago.

That powerful experience with my own breath sowed a seed that has remained through my life's journey and career stints spanning three continents and different roles, as a journalist, academic and non-profit communicator in India, the UK and the US.

Since 2017, I have devoted myself fully to yoga philosophy and practice, completing thousands of hours of self-practice as well as formal training in Yama-Niyamas (ethical conduct), Asana (postures), Pranayama (breath control), Pratyahara (withdrawal of senses), and Dharana-Dhyanam (meditation and mindfulness techniques).

In 2018, I formally trained for and received an Advanced 100-Hr. Raja Yoga TT in Meditation and Philosophy (Yoga Alliance approved) in Columbia, MD. While formal training is a useful tool, the 8-fold path of yoga is really a process of ongoing, everyday practice that uses the impermanence of our lived realities as a path for compassionate action.

In 2018, I also received direct initiation into the "Kriya" technique of the Nath Sampradaya, from one of India's foremost spiritual reformers and teachers, known simply as "Sri M" to his students*. Kriya continues to be my personal practice.

Sharing the spiritual bliss of a pranayama-centric meditation practice is my passion and life's journey. I feel blessed to live in the majestic and beautiful city of Washington D.C., with my husband, Sujeesh, and our darling 7-year-old daughter, Sanvi. 

*Disclaimer: The "Kriya" meditation technique is a direct initiation practice taught only by Sri M.

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