Nishtha Bijlani - Yoga, 1 Tulsiani Chambers, Nariman point (2026)

15/11/2020

Taking this occasion to remember all the beautiful people who've come in my life as gurus, mentors, teachers and contributed in one way or the other to guide me from darkness to light ✨

This festival of Diwali has so many symbolic meanings. Out of all, one thing remains common, that is light 🌟

But without darkness, light can never be experienced. Only when we honor the darkness within, can we reach for the light. Only when we reach our lowest, are we ready for the greatest change.

May we all experience the light and brighten up lives of those around us 💖

शुभ दीपावली 🪔
📸:

12/06/2020

Have you noticed the kind of self-talk that takes place within? 🗣️
Let's see some negative, rather harmful ways in which we end up conversing with ourselves:-

1. The Critical
This is quite a bitter inner dialogue which doesn't let you appreciate yourself or another. When things don't go the way you want, do you end up being overly critical of your efforts?

2. The Procrastinator
We've all been here, done that (and probably continue to). Giving yourself creative excuses to avoid and delay tasks that probably should be done.

3. Always Blaming
Does the inner dialogue often lead you to blame someone outside of you? Noticed when the mind tells you, "it was because of her/him that this happened" or "she/he is the reason why I'm angry"?

4. Playing Victim
Do you find yourself crying out a sob story? Often wallowing in self-pity?
Is the mental dialogue often telling you "life is always unfair to ME. Things never go right with me"?

5. The Fearful
Does being afraid come as a natural response to almost everything? There is a sense of safety in the familiar but fear in the unknown. Does your inner dialogue always exaggerate a situation and scare you before you can even face it?
At some point, we've all had these inner personalities crop up. Our self talk is influenced by the subconscious mind.
Thoughts are energy that carry its way into our lives. Even on the mat, they way we speak to ourselves, has a direct impact on the practice.
If this voice inside the head starts getting too negative, all it takes is awareness to shift it to a more positive and uplifting tone. Afterall, we've got to be our own cheerleader😃🙌
💭

29/05/2020

💠7 poses to help with lower back pains💠
If you have been sitting for long hours or working a lot from home, the lower back tends to get compressed. As a result, leading to aches and discomfort.
Here are simple poses that you can follow to help release the tension and improve the health of your lumbar.
1. Trikonasana
This lateral movement of the spine helps release accumulated tension and stiffness of the surrounding muscles, also opens up tight hips and hamstrings. Don't have to go all the way down, stop where it feels good.
2. Sphinx
As you bring yourself to lie on the belly, stay upright on your forearms, don't shrug the shoulders. Release the space under the pelvis and let the abdomen sink into the mat. Helps to the natural curvature of the spine.
3. Makarasana
Great relaxing pose, especially if you been sitting up all day. Let's the spine enjoy to feel very rested and relaxed. Observe the diaphragmatic breath in this pose to relax deeper.
4. Ardha Matsyendrasana
A great spinal twist. Twists are very therapeutic for the spine. This also release tightness in the hips and reduces bloating.
5. Supt Vakrasana
Very relaxing supine twist. Can also be done on the bed at the end of the day.
6. Parivritta Janu Sirsasana
A great lateral bending pose. Similar benefits to Trikonasana. If sitting in this pose is difficult, continue practicing Trikonasana.
7. Jathara Parivartanasana
Another wonderful supine twist. Goes slightly deeper with this variation of pressing the foot on the other leg.
Remember:
- Dont push through a pose too much especially if there is active pain
- Do the left & right side equally in bilateral poses
- Have a regular practice, it's not a one time thing
- Start increasing hold-time gradually

23/04/2020

Surrender to blue skies and the mountain peaks
Surrender to the warm sun and the chirping beaks
Surrender to the vast ocean and it's mighty wave
Bow to down to mother earth, for in her soil we grave 🌱
All that we experience, is not about us. It is Because of us.
Mother earth will continue to find ways to flourish, we are not necessary.
We are just visitors who have forgotten that this is not our permanent home.
Let's ponder over that thought. Have a great day :)

05/04/2020

As I continue to stay here in Dharamsala, due to the situation we are all in; my biggest learning has been to SLOW DOWN.

We are always so preoccupied planning every detail of our day and life, we are just pacing away. Missing moments after moments. Stuck in this trap of time.

We stay stuck in our head, either trying to relive past experiences or planning life ahead. And what gets left behind is where we are now.
And the Now is very subtle, easiest to miss. Now is in the breath you take, or the tiniest sensation on your body, or hearing the birds chirp and witnessing the sun rise.

When the 5 senses are put to use and you feel alive in your body, mind, breath- you have arrived in the Now. 🧘‍♀️
This period can be the best teacher for us. Don't count days for the lockdown to end. There is no escape. We are all in it together.
Instead, create moments of stillness and acceptance, then watch yourself surrender to the Now. 😇

31/03/2020

How brave are we to face ourselves bare and uncovered?
What we may see as a forced locked down, is a time for a us to meet ourselves in the most real and raw manner.
What we may see as restriction, is actually freedom.
Freedom from all the things that consumed us incessantly.
Freedom from planning every minute of our life. Freedom from the craziness that we created.
Freedom to just be in our own company.
To access this freedom, we need to shed all the layers we have accumulated in the form doubt, worry, fears, identification, procrastination. To shed all that limits our growth. To be completely empty.
To not resist and completely surrender.
We need to give ourselves a fair chance to grow in humility, trust, love and compassion.
No better time than Now, to truly value the littlest things of life.
No better time than Now, to recognize how blessed we are.
PS: finally back to the gram after 3 weeks. I'm in Dharamsala still. Happy and safe in a yoga Ashram 😇🙏

13/02/2020

Workshop Alert 🕯️
The Trataka or Candle Gazing is a powerful yogic kriya, which is an amazing purification technique.
It's benefits are plenty and to say the least, it's a very useful practice in order to build a strong foundation for meditation 🧘‍♀️
It is said that, "The eyes are the windows to the Soul". Stillness in the eyes, creates stillness in the mind.
It's also a great exercise for the eyes. If you're spending plenty time in front of the screen, then this one is definitely for you!
It clears the tear ducts, reduces headaches, migraines and sleeping problems.
The workshop will include light Asanas, types of Trataka, Guided Meditation and a long shavasana. You will surely see the difference right after, feeling much lighter and calmer.😇
When: 15th Feb, Saturday
Time: 6:00-7:15pm
Where: .juhu
Cost: 700/- online and 900/- at door
Feel free to ask any questions regarding the same🙏

28/01/2020

If you have been working on your splits or , here is a simple progression you can follow. 😀

On the grid:
➡️Step 1 & 2, i.e. the pigeon pose, effectively opens tight hips. Though you need to be patient and work on being in it longer.
Keep the hips levelled and not to collapsing to one side. A block or cushion can help maintain the balance.
➡️Step 3, 4, 5- opening into deep lunges or Anjanyesana.
Start by keep the front leg in a line, after holding long, slowly start to move the foot forward to go deeper. You can stop at step 4, if it's very painful for you.
Only when you feel ready, then begin to open your leg further and slide on the heel. Maintain a slight bent in the knee to help open hips deeper.
Cushion your knee with a blanket and use blocks for support.
➡️Step 6 & 7- add a bolster if you have gone lower, and bring yourself to sit on it. This step can be quite comforting, allows one to gently open up.

And with gradual, consistent practice you can find yourself getting closer to the mat. Don't hurry or force. Practice the previous steps regularly to start opening the hips and hamstrings into a full split.

PS: It's common for one side to feel tighter that the other. Hold longer on the tighter side.

23/01/2020

In moments of strength, may we find soft gentleness. In moments of vulnerability, may we find the courage to stand our ground. ✨
An arm balance flow, one morning post class. Exploring the combination of and
Wearing the lovely yoga doodle t-shirt by the very talented .light .shop ❤️

21/01/2020

Yoga For Tight Shoulders 🙆🏻‍♀️
Most of us suffer through tight shoulders, neck pains and stuff upper spine due to our lifestyle. And it's not just bad posture that leads to tightness, it's a lot to do with our mental and emotional health as well.
You don't have to live with it or complain about it. Just simply make yoga a part of your life, you'll receive more than you asked for 😊
On the grid:
1. Take a yoga strap/scarf or belt. Keep it wider than shoulder distance and extend your arms up straight.
2. Once you find the right distance (not too tight or lose) start to stretch your arms back.
3. If you can, extend back up till your upper spine. Hold few seconds and bring it forward. Repeat the first 3 steps a couple of times.
4. Interlock fingers, round the back by pushing the chest & navel into the spine. Arms are to stretch forward, chin pressing in.
5. Puppy pose with blocks. Start in a kneeling position, place palms on blocks, slide them forward to bring your chest lower. Maintain knee & hip alignment. Keep arms shoulder distance.
6. Similar to the previous pose, just that arms will bend here. Place your elbows on the mat and slide it forward. Allow the chin to rest on the mat.
7. Lie down on your belly, extend your right arm on the floor, raise the left leg by bending the knee and twist to place the foot behind. Keep head turned to the left side and raise your left hand in the air. Let the body start to press back into the right shoulder to feel the stretch.
8. Repeat the same on the left arm.
Hope you find this easy to practice 😊🧘‍♀️

Nishtha Bijlani - Yoga

15/11/2020

12/06/2020

29/05/2020

23/04/2020

05/04/2020

31/03/2020

13/02/2020

28/01/2020

23/01/2020

21/01/2020

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