Born in the lap of Himalayas, Mahayogi Akshar Nath, also known as Grand Master Akshar, grew up with yogic energy all around him, whether it was listening to solitary sages narrate stories or just watching them meditate. This yogic energy permeated into Grand Master Akshar's life and it is this energy that he passed on to five lakh people worldwide through 3,000 practitioners and 20 schools under the banner of Akshar Yoga. And even today, the Grand Master still feels this energy urging him to be better and do better. "When I had just started practicing, I was not able to use this energy as I had trouble forgiving people. But now, I feel like I don't need to carry that burden," says the Mahayogi who is based out of Bengaluru and has proved to be a guide to many celebrities and public figures including former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, Matthew Hayden and actor Sushmita Sen and so on.

Yoga is an ancient way and like it deserves our respect, so do yogis like Gorakhnath, Machindranath and many others who helped evolve the practice, says the mahayogi 

"Currently, thanks to the involvement of the government and senior authorities, a lot of standardisation has come into yoga in India, so it is well taken care of. While outside India, a lot of research is being done by experts in Switzerland and Germany on yoga principles and how they help develop the body and mind. Yoga was not considered as a science, but in the future, yoga and science will move together, thanks to all the research and its relevance will only increase by the day," he says.

Watch and learn: Mahayogi practising vashistasana | (Pic: Akshar Yoga)

Going on to speak about the deep connection between yoga and mental health, something that is not addressed enough, the Grand Master explains, "Yoga isn't just something that relieves stress, as you practice more, it also increases your defense mechanism and encourages you to take in things positively." Talking about yoga and describing it as India's gift to the world, the Mahayogi explains how International Day of Yoga is seen as a festival, "almost like Christmas," as it is celebrated around the world with much fervour. This will ensure that yoga is not seen as a fad and that it will transform into a lifestyle that brings peace and stability.     

Some of the celebrities the Mahayogi has helped: