Divine Tree - The Yoga Shala

Divine Tree - The Yoga Shala Divine Tree - The Yoga Shala has been started by Sakina Kapadia with the aim of helping people develop a strong mind and agile body.

Divine Tree, The Yoga Studio has been started by Sakina Kapadia with the aim of helping people develop a strong mind and agile body. Using a holistic approach for development, she practices and teaches Hatha Yoga, a form that helps redirect the negative energy of the mind. She completed 200 hours of teacher training at Sharmilas Yoga Studio in Banjara Hills with another 200 hours of intense training with Yoga Works - Bali. Sakina taught at Sharmilas Yoga studio till 2010, then opening and teaching at the Secunderabad branch of Sharmilas Yoga Studio - Sikh Village till 2015 and has now embarked on a new path with "Divine Tree"

Sakina, with her years of teaching experience, derives inspiration from the Vinyasa style, and uses props such as blocks, belts, cushions, bolsters and ropes which are a distinct feature of the Iyengar style. The classes motivate even those with limitations to perform asanas correctly with the help of those props, thus boosting their confidence. She conducts the classes giving personalised attention to each individual's capability and with her eye for detail encourages each student to discover their body with ease. Because of her calm n gentle approach while teaching, at 'Divine Tree' the classes are not only intense, but energizing, rejuvenating and invigorating as well. The studio truly has a lot to offer for anyone willing to learn.

✨ 6 Magical Days at , Sri Lanka ✨Tucked away in the heart of the forest—mud huts, open-air bathrooms, no electricity, no...
24/11/2025

✨ 6 Magical Days at , Sri Lanka ✨

Tucked away in the heart of the forest—mud huts, open-air bathrooms, no electricity, no Wi-Fi—Ulpotha felt overwhelming at first. But it turned out to be exactly what we needed. 🌿
The beautiful and well equipped Yoga Shala tucked between the trees, with its soaring thatched roof, held space for every breath and every release. 🧘‍♀️

Digital fasting brought us closer than ever—real conversations, shared stories, quiet reflections, and the simple joy of just being. Silence felt sacred. 🌸

We arrived wondering how we’d survive without our phones… yet between asana, pranayama & meditation practices, swimming in the lake, cycling through the lush property, Ayurvedic massages, and the kindness of the staff, days melted away.

By the end, Ulpotha had woven itself into our hearts. 🦋

This retreat was everything we promised: immersive, enriching, and truly holistic. A journey that went far beyond the mat. 💫

Grateful to every soul who shared it with me ✨💫

Svādhyāyā Retreat Day 5The Ground Beneath Our Feet: when was the last time you really felt connected to the earth? Did y...
07/11/2025

Svādhyāyā Retreat Day 5

The Ground Beneath Our Feet: when was the last time you really felt connected to the earth? Did you ever wonder why the great yoga masters gave nature such a superior status when it comes to spiritual practises?

When we scout for places to conduct our retreats, we deliberately try to find places that make us feel like we’ve fallen off the map. Only we’re not lost…. We are just reconnecting to the earth in a way that city life does not give us the luxury to do.

As our retreat draws to a close, we’re spending our last two days to enjoy the grounding and stability we worked to achieve during the retreat. This morning’s class was all about making our roots as strong as a tree’s so we too can stand tall and strong like nature’s one-legged giants…

From standing postures for a firm footing to then reversing that and finding equal balance on our heads — this morning’s class was all about finding stability and holding it. On and off the mat…

The best part — after these intense classes, we treated our bodies to deep cleansing with authentic Ayurveda massages and oil baths…

As we unwind and get ready to head back to the city, we spent our evening reflecting on everything we learned, and in our last Prānāyāma class for the week, we practised Viloma 1 and 2 — to remember to carry forward the pauses in our breath to our life as well. Because knowing when to pause and take a breath can help us a lot in daily life, too…

.gupta.3133 .pratapa

Svādhyāyā Retreat Day 4We’re more than half-way through our retreat and we upped the intensity today with twists. The cl...
06/11/2025

Svādhyāyā Retreat Day 4

We’re more than half-way through our retreat and we upped the intensity today with twists. The class began with a variation of Surya Namaskar and then we moved into parivṛtta trikoṇāsana, parivṛtta pārśvakoṇāsana, parivṛtta ardha chandrāsana and parivṛtta jānu śīrṣāsana, to name a few. We kept alternating between twists, backbends and inversions to rest and activate the back and spine. We ended our session with a long śavāsana.

The evening’s breath work focused on Step Breathing and Square Breath and as we do everyday, we ended the evening’s session with Trataka meditation.

Today was also the second of our talks on Indic Knowledge Systems. Our first lecture focused on the eight limbs of Patañjali‘s Yoga Sutras and we highlighted the yamas and niyamas…

Our second lecture elaborated on Svādhyāyā, Īśvarapraṇidhāna and how to achieve these states through the finding of one’s Iṣṭa-devatā or through scriptural study like mantra japa — we studied and recited the Gāyatrī mantra….

Tomorrow, we will find our stability with balancing asanas…

.gupta.3133 .pratapa

We interrupt regular programming to bring you this vishesh samāchaar….During the philosophy lectures at our retreat, we ...
06/11/2025

We interrupt regular programming to bring you this vishesh samāchaar….

During the philosophy lectures at our retreat, we spoke about how in the scriptures, our mind has been compared to a drunk monkey! And we practise yoga to tame that drunk monkey and make it still.

As if to test our resolve, this family of monkeys visited us during āsana practise the very next morning and behaved fully drunk 🤪 the temple seen in the videos is just opposite the yoga shala on the property…

Did our stillness persevere? Yes! As seen in the last photo….

Fun fact: the coconut that the cheeky monkey stole has been replaced by another coconut so the Gods have their Prasādam! And no monkeys or humans were hurt during the making of these videos…

Also, we pray that just like the holy trinity you see in the last frame, even the people who belong to each respective member of that trio can co-exist with love and harmony just like the three in the photo! Hari Om, Amen, Inshallah!

It was the truest moment of yoga in our retreat this far…

.gupta.3133 .pratapa

Svādhāyā Retreat - Day 3✨Our morning began with meditating on positive affirmations putting us in the right frame of min...
05/11/2025

Svādhāyā Retreat - Day 3
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Our morning began with meditating on positive affirmations putting us in the right frame of mind for an active practice — today was all about core strength and inversions. We warmed the body with an active Surya Namaskar moving between Adho Mukha Śvānāsana, Caturaṅga Daṇḍāsana and Uttānāsana. After a few rounds of this, we worked on our core and then brought our practise to a climax with inversions like Śīrṣāsana, Sarvāṅgāsana and Halāsana (in various variations of each posture) As always, we ended with a long Śavāsana.
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The purpose of this retreat was to have an integrated experience of Indic Knowledge Systems and after this morning’s class, the resident Ayurveda Doctor at the property consulted with our participants to prescribe specific treatments for their body types and its dispositions….
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The day ended with Prāṇāyāma. Yesterday, we were introduced to chest breathing and we took this forward today and went deeper into the practise to ensure that we continue to improve the quality of our breathing even after the retreat and make it a part of our daily lives.
✨pratapa .gupta.3133
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Svādhāyā Retreat - Day 2✨Our Yin Yoga session yesterday evening gave us grounding and alignment helping us to centre our...
04/11/2025

Svādhāyā Retreat - Day 2
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Our Yin Yoga session yesterday evening gave us grounding and alignment helping us to centre our body and mind.
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We began this morning’s practise focusing on the last two limbs of Patanjali’s Aṣṭāṅga: Dhāranā (concentration), Dhyāna (meditation) and Samādhi (absorption): We concentrated on positive thinking through thought affirmations and we meditated on those thoughts to manifest them into our lives. Today was all about tuning into our Anāhata Chakra by expanding the mind and opening our hearts.
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How? By practising the third limb of Patanjali’s Aṣṭāṅga: Āsana.
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We started with āsanas to open the upper back and chest: Gomukhāsana and Bhujaṅgāsana followed by Sūrya Namaskāras to wake up the body and prep it for deeper back bending. From there we moved to the mid and lower back with Añjaneyāsana (supported), and after working that area of the back, we offered relief with basic twisting postures.
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Mid-Session into our practise, we got into working the full back and chest with postures like Dhanurāsana and variations of Urdhva Dhanurāsana, and we ended our practise by cooling down the body, breath and mind with gentle forward bends and a long Śavāsana.
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In the evening, we experienced the subtle aspects of yoga by meeting our own breath in Prānāyāma. We started with observing our breath in our belly and then breathing through our chest and our back. The idea was to use the anterior and posterior body to lengthen our breath thereby improving the quality of our breath.
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Tomorrow, we focus on our core and the Sahasrāra chakra with Inversions.
✨pratapa .gupta.3133
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How to study the Self? Do we even know the Self? What is the Self outside the quotidian identity and chaos of daily life...
03/11/2025

How to study the Self? Do we even know the Self? What is the Self outside the quotidian identity and chaos of daily life?
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Patanjali’s fifth Niyama, Svādhāyā, is the study and observation of the Self. But where do these observances begin, and how do we make our mind quiet enough to reflect on our yoga practice?
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We began our week-long Sādhanā at Ulpotha () in Sri Lanka with a Yin Yoga session at sunset to do just that. This session was designed to prepare our participants for the immersive week ahead where we will integrate āsana, prāṇāyāma, meditation and the study of scriptures…
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We ended the Yin Yoga session with Trāṭaka to train our mind for one-pointed focus, which is essential for deeper meditation.
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This session was a prelude to tomorrow’s practise, where we will invigorate our bodies, centre our minds and open our hearts with back-bending āsanas…
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I just returned from a week in Goa, where I experienced the tranquillity and warmth of Birdsong Moira first-hand. I can...
01/07/2024

I just returned from a week in Goa, where I experienced the tranquillity and warmth of Birdsong Moira first-hand. I cannot think of a better place to host Divine Tree—The Yoga Shala’s second retreat, so I have extended the last registration date by a week to participants who still wish to join.

In addition to yoga classes, lectures on Indian philosophy and Veda recitation, participants can look forward to spending quality time reading a book by the pool, enjoying the lush surroundings of Bird Song and revelling in Goa’s monsoon season amidst the gorgeous art that fills every nook of this stunning property. The delicious, nutritious food is a bonus.

I spent a beautiful rain-kissed afternoon at the property, and I can’t wait to return in August to enjoy a week of yoga, relaxation, and spending time to relax and rejuvenate.

Send me a DM for further details. We are only accepting registrations till Saturday 6th July 2024

There are four Mahāvākyas: Tat Tvam Asi Ahaṁ Brahmāsmi Prajñānaṁ Brahma Ayam Ātmā Brahma- Where do these come from and h...
11/06/2024

There are four Mahāvākyas:
Tat Tvam Asi
Ahaṁ Brahmāsmi
Prajñānaṁ Brahma
Ayam Ātmā Brahma
- Where do these come from and how are they relevant to our daily spiritual practice?
- Why is Sanskrit the language of yoga?
- What does yoga have to do with Veda?
- How does one move from the gross to the subtle using only asana practice? Is this even possible?

We will address all of the above with practical and theory sessions at Divine Tree’s second retreat — this time, we’re going to Goa.

The retreat will be held at Birdsong, a beautiful 108-year-old bungalow in Goa. Expect asana classes, lectures on Indic Knowledge Systems, Veda recitation and excursions to discover just how beautiful Goa can get in the monsoon. Also featuring nutritious, vegetarian home-cooked meals that will keep your taste happy and your practise light...

Registrations close on 30th June...

Send a DM for further information.

I’m happy to share that I am hosting Divine Tree - The Yoga Shala’s second retreat and this time, I’ve planned a monsoon...
30/05/2024

I’m happy to share that I am hosting Divine Tree - The Yoga Shala’s second retreat and this time, I’ve planned a monsoon special in Goa. We’re all familiar with Goa’s beaches and coastal culture so this retreat is a way to discover inland Goa. Goa transforms in the monsoon and I chose a venue that will allow us to enjoy Goa in its monsoon splendour. The venue, , was built in 1908 and it is a gorgeous Goan bungalow with sprawling gardens, situated in the scenic village of Moira.

I also planned an inland excursion to the Arvalem waterfalls and caves and as always, there will be lots of yoga, meditation, philosophy and this time, the philosophy class will be focused on understanding Veda and its recitation.

I hope to see you at the retreat, This one’s going to be special.
❤️

06/05/2024

Taking the world's most dangerous flight to Lukla can be an ordeal. But not when you're with a great bunch like this!
You'll need to pack enough entertainment and snacks, as up there it's the weather that dictates flight schedules. This was a 24hr wait for a 20min flight.

reel courtesy .g

🌟 Embrace the Un-Becoming Journey 🌟"Maybe the journey isn’t so much about becoming anything. Maybe it’s about un-becomin...
28/02/2024

🌟 Embrace the Un-Becoming Journey 🌟

"Maybe the journey isn’t so much about becoming anything. Maybe it’s about un-becoming everything that isn’t really you, so you can be who you were meant to be in the first place." - Paul Coelho

Let's ponder on this profound wisdom today. Sometimes, growth isn't about adding layers or transforming into someone entirely new. It's about shedding the layers that society, expectations, or past experiences have imposed upon us to re-claim the essence of who we truly are.

As we journey through life, let's courageously strip away the masks, the doubts, the fears, and the societal pressures. Embrace the un-becoming journey, for it leads you to the purest version of yourself. 🌿✨

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Plot No. 73, Road No. 3, Jupiter Colony, Sikh Village, Lane Opp. Corporation Bank
Secunderabad
500009

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+919348490398

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Divine Tree, The Yoga Shala has been started by Sakina Kapadia with the aim of helping people develop a strong mind and agile body. Using a holistic approach for development, she practices and teaches Hatha Yoga, a form that helps redirect the negative energy of the mind. She completed 200 hours of teacher training at Sharmilas Yoga Studio in Banjara Hills with another 200 hours of intense training with Yoga Works - Bali. Sakina taught at Sharmilas Yoga studio till 2010, then opening and teaching at the Secunderabad branch of Sharmilas Yoga Studio - Sikh Village till 2015 and has now embarked on a new path with "Divine Tree" Sakina, with her years of teaching experience, derives inspiration from the Vinyasa style, and uses props such as blocks, belts, cushions, bolsters and ropes which are a distinct feature of the Iyengar style. The classes motivate even those with limitations to perform asanas correctly with the help of those props, thus boosting their confidence. She conducts the classes giving personalised attention to each individual's capability and with her eye for detail encourages each student to discover their body with ease. Because of her calm n gentle approach while teaching, at 'Divine Tree' the classes are not only intense, but energizing, rejuvenating and invigorating as well. The studio truly has a lot to offer for anyone willing to learn.