Life style
Yoga – valuable tool to navigate challenges of modern life
‘A Yoga instructor’ is probably not the first answer you will hear from most people when you ask ‘What do you want to become one day’. So how is it Veena Fernando decided to follow this path? How did she realise that teaching and practising yoga helps to improve flexibility,strengh and body awareness. It may also relieve stress and anxiety
“For Veena Fernando, yoga is a lifestyle that guides her through clarity and awareness to her inner narrative and the relationship within herself and with others. “Yoga empowers me through confidence in owning and claiming my energetic power and being grateful to my body and breath. This practises which are now integrated into my lifestyle has helped me to overcome anxiety” said Veena .
is e mindful practice grew, she thought she had to take measures to share the joy and peace, she was experiencing from Yoga with many others
Veena, is also a well known wildlife photographer . She echoes “Wildlife photography really ignites my soul. It is a way to share incredible experiences with animals”.
She says “Everyone dreams, only a few have the courage and conviction to turn them into reality. I am a Yoga instructor, whose dream was woven into reality’.
A firm believer in the power of the practice, she had a passion for Yoga from early childhood. This passion for Yoga got louder, clear, stronger everyday and I finally listened to my heart calling.
My mother was one of the first Yoga instructors in Sri Lanka, back then. She would hold classes and distribute papers filled with images and instructions on how to learn and follow Yoga practices, but strangely, my mother never encouraged me to follow in her footsteps, nor did she teach me Yoga, she said.
“My early interest is for Kandyan dance forms which connected me to physical fitness. Even after I got married and began raising two boys, I stayed committed to fitness at the gym”
Perhaps Yoga was part of her life and her initial foray was just a once a week classes. Then with the outbreak of pandemic, she turned inward and found solace in daily Yoga practices.
She continued ” It was during this time that I truly began to feel the pro found changes Yoga brought to my body and mind. Soon my curious mind delved me to crave deeper knowledge about this ancient practices,’ said Veena.
The turning point in my Yoga journey was joining the Myrus Fitness and yoga studio Colombo. From then onwards, I never turned back. My passion for yoga grew, I was determined to learn more about the techniques, the human body and the nervous system, meditation and the deeper aspects of Yoga, this became an intellectual and spiritual pursuit.Then I started to absorb as much knowledge as I could. It taught me how to love more , to accept my present moments fully and to be thankful for my life.”
After she completing her teacher training, she realised that the understanding she gained wasn’t something to be kept dormant. It is always her hope that she can share this wisdom with others.
That was her beginning of her journey This transformative journey what she experienced with herself and others gave her the confidence and strength to start and grow her business.
“The first thing I invested was her time and effort to articulate my message of Yoga effectively and communicate with a broad spectrum of potential Yoga followers”.
Can you talk about your clientele and types of yoga practises ?
As a yoga teacher. 1 focus on creating a balanced and supportive practice that resonates with my school clientele.
My teachings approach emphasize mindfulness. breath awareness, and postures that cater to mostly beginners who know nothing about yoga.
In this day and age with stress how you in the modern day?
Yoga offers valuable tools for navigating the challenges of modern life, providing physical, mental, and emotional benefits that are especially relevant in today’s fast-paced world.
How has yoga helped u in your daily life.?
The physical practice of asanas releases built-up tension, while meditation allows me to ground myself and let go of stress. This combination of movement and mindfulness gives me a sense of balance, making it easier to handle both personal and professional responsibilities. Through yoga, I find resilience and presence, which positively impacts every area of my life.
Wild life Photography is also Veena’s hobby
How did it feel after you taught your first ever class?
I felt a powerful mix of exhilaration and gratitude. It was such a rewarding experience to share this beautiful practice.
I felt humbled and inspired, knowing that I could help guide others towards inner peace and well-being. It affirmed that teaching or sharing my yoga knowledge was’t just a profession – it was a calling.
What do you think makes a good yoga teacher ?
A good yoga teacher creates a supportive, safe, and empowering environment that helps students find peace, strength, and confidence both on and off the mat.
As a instructor what is your mission, what do you like to achieve ?
As an instructor, my mission is to broaden people’s understanding of yoga as a holistic practice. Many see yoga purely as physical postures, but it’s so much more—a system of healing and self-care that offers numerous benefits for both physical and mental health.
I’m passionate about educating people on how practices like breathwork, or pranayama, can help manage conditions like high blood pressure by calming the nervous system, while specific asanas can support issues such as diabetes by enhancing circulation and supporting metabolic health.
Can you tell us about your classes do you incorporate medidation into them
Yes, I believe it’s a fundamental part of a complete yoga practice ?
I enjoy incorporating focused meditation techniques like Trataka (candle gazing) and third-eye meditation into my classes, especially for students who want to deepen their mindfulness practice.
Each class typically begins with a short meditation to help students center themselves, letting go of the distractions of the day and becoming present in the moment. This sets a mindful tone and allows them to connect with their breath and body more deeply.
What challenges does yoga help you to overcome ?
Yoga has been invaluable in helping me overcome a variety of challenges in my life: Managing stress and anxiety: Yoga helps me keep stress at bay, which is essential in my role as a business entrepreneur. Through practices like breathing and meditation, I’m able to release tension and approach daily challenges with a clearer, calmer mindset.
Maintaining Physical Health:
The physical aspect of yoga has helped me overcome stiffness, improve flexibility, and build strength,
Yoga has given me tools to approach life’s demands with a sense of ease and balance, helping me stay grounded and resilient amid the complexities of modern life.
What are your favourite part about being a yoga instructor ?
Witnessing students grow in their practice is incredibly rewarding. I love being part of their journey and seeing the positive changes in their lives. I get to help people to find peace,strengh and empowerment through teaching
I enjoy educating students about the holistic benefits of yoga, beyond just the physical postures. Sharing insights on breathing and meditation, and the philosophy of yoga allows me to inspire others and deepen their understanding of the practice Teaching yoga also encourages my own personal development. Each class is an opportunity for me to learn more about myself, refine my skills, and deepen my practices.