About Natasha Sikand

              I began practicing Hatha Yoga in 1999 in New York City with Iyengar teacher, Jill Forger.  I was interested in discovering my Indian heritage (my father is Indian, and my mother is Swiss), and also needed a way to disconnect from the hectic Manhattan lifestyle and energy.  As a full-time Visual Arts/Art History student at Barnard College in New York, life was full and beautiful, but also tiring at times.  When I moved off campus after my first year at university, through Jill’s recommendation, I began to practice at World Yoga Center under the loving guidance of Rama Patella, Rudrani Farban, Jackie Prete, and Yasushi Tanaka.  It was there that I discovered Anusara^® Yoga.  I knew that I had found a style of Yoga that deeply resonated with my heart.

              When I moved back to Madrid (I lived in Madrid from 1992-1999) from New York in 2004, Anusara^® Yoga was still in its infancy.  After having lived in New York for five years, it took some time to readjust to Madrid again.  The end of a five year relationship also made things even more difficult. I began to cultivate a daily Yoga and meditation practice, which ultimately helped me out of this tough transition in my life.  As my dear meditation teacher, Sally Kempton, says,

“what seems to be a fall from Grace can actually trigger a far deeper state of awakening.” 

It was at this point in my life that I began to deepen my practice and understand my life as Yoga.  I started my journey of self-practice and self-inquiry, and immersed myself in a daily yoga practice and meditation. The loving words of all of my teachers in New York echoed in my mind and supported me on my path and journey inside. 

              As I took my practice to another level, I began to notice profound changes in myself and for the first time (even though I’d been practicing Hatha Yoga for five years) I developed a deep interest of and a longing for the teachings of Yoga.  My first contact with Yoga Philosophy and scriptures was with the Upanishads and the book, “Meditate” by Gurumayi Chidvilasananda.  To this day I remember just how deeply every word resonated with my heart at the time.  Something had shifted within me.  From that moment, I knew that Yoga would become an integral part of my life and that I wanted to share the freedom and love that I had found with others, and assist and share with people their process of healing and self awareness through the practices of Yoga.

              In the summer of 2005, the stars aligned and put me in contact with one of my dear friends and teachers, Jayendra Hanley, who was living and teaching in Madrid at the time.  I was beginning to align myself to something greater and stepping fully into the flow of life.  Everything began to open up…the more I opened my heart and trusted the abundance and giving nature of the Universe, the more I began to flow in my path.  All the years of practice were beginning to translate into my life.  Just in time, I found out that Jayendra was starting an Anusara Yoga Immersion/Teacher Training in Madrid, and of course I was eager to begin!

                At this time (Fall 2005), after continuous reflection, I realized that I needed a change of atmosphere, and I decided to move to the mountain resort of Davos, Switzerland for the winter season.  I had been going to Davos on ski holidays since I was small.  I had no “plan”, but trusted my path and knew that everything would unfold perfectly.  I remember Jayendra telling me that I should teach yoga if the offer came up (even though I hadn’t even started the Immersion and Teacher Training).  My initial reaction was one of self-doubt, as I laughed off Jayendra’s suggestion.  As soon as I arrived in Davos, my friend, Martin Hanggi, asked if I could take over a Yoga class that he was teaching twice a week at a hotel.  Of course, I said yes, and from then on began to teach regular classes (January 2006).

              I have since taught yoga every winter season in Davos, Switzerland (until April 2009) and also in Madrid, Spain at City Yoga.  I have also had the opportunity to teach in Thailand, Bali, and Australia.  After 27 years of moving around, I have moved to Apollo Bay, Australia for an indefinite period ;-)!  I am looking forward to connecting with the community here and discovering the magic of this beautiful part of the world.

            Since this shift in myself and the way I live my life, I have never felt doubt about what I’m doing or where I’m going.  Yoga has taught me to live my life with an open heart and mind and that when you’re aligned with and remember your connection to the Univeral Consciousness/Truth (whatever resonates with you), everything you encounter along the way (no matter how hard or beautiful) is an opportunity to grow and deepen your awakening and heart. 

              As a yoga teacher and practitioner, I feel blessed to be able to observe and support this process of opening up in students and in myself.  The practices of Yoga help us become aware of our connection to the beauty of life and realize that every moment is a chance to remember and honor this. 

              I am grateful to all of my students for teaching me so much and as well as to all of my loving teachers (John Friend, Yasushi Tanaka, Jayendra, Rama Patella, Desiree Rumbaugh, Ross Rayburn, Jim and Ruthie Bernaert, Ellen Saltonstall, Julie Smerdon, Tara Judelle), friends, family, and everyone who has inspired and guided me along the way.  I am deeply grateful to the teachers that have supported and inspired me on the path of Jnana Yoga and meditation: Sally Kempton, Carlos Pomeda, and Paul Muller Ortega, who continue to be beacons of light and love on my path of meditation and self-inquiry. 

              Namaste and blessings.