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Have you ever had a teacher who was the same age as you?
Reyansh Surani (India) has become the youngest certified yoga instructor in the world, setting a new record at the age of 9 years 220 days.
The young student became a young teacher after completing the 200 Hour Yoga Teacher's Training Course at Anand Shekhar Yoga School on 27 July 2021. 🧘
You can learn yoga with Reyansh right here 👇
Have you ever done yoga before?
Yoga is a form of exercise which originated in India around 5,000 years ago. 😲
The word “yoga” is from the Sanskrit language. It means “union.”
Yoga poses involve a combination of stretching, breathing and mental relaxation (meditation). 🧘
Reyansh has been gaga for yoga ever since he can remember. 😍
He loved watching his parents do yoga and at just four years old, Reyansh started practising yoga too. 😊
“Yoga is something I am passionate about.” - Reyansh
When he found out his parents were going to Rishikesh, India, to attend a yoga teacher’s training course, Reyansh decided to tag along.
“I decided to join them and surprisingly found out I enjoy teaching as well,” Reyansh said. 😃
Moving from his home in Dubai to live in Rishikesh for a month was a bit of a shock for Reyansh. ✈️
“It was different! The first time I came to know we were going [to Rishikesh], I was curious to live a rural life. I saw that side of the world for the first time - a place with such spiritual grip,” he said.
Reyansh had to learn to live without certain luxuries such as air conditioning and internet access. 😱
He quickly adapted to his new environment and fell in love with the great outdoors. 🌷
“I felt very close to nature. The stay was exciting and adventurous because we went tracking every now and then. It was a fun way to relax from the intense yoga training schedule.”
The 200 Hour Yoga Teacher's Training Course at Anand Shekhar Yoga School is an intense four-week-long program. 🧘♂️
This is a student’s typical daily schedule, involving many yoga techniques with different names:
Reyansh learnt “many aspects of yoga” from his training.
“Earlier I used to think yoga is only about physical posture and breathing, but it’s much more than that,” he said.
“I learnt alignment, anatomic philosophy and the nutritional facts of Ayurveda. It’s an intense course.”
Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system of medicine, involving a special diet, herbal remedies, meditation and yoga.
At the moment, Reyansh teaches small private classes due to pandemic restrictions. He also teaches his schoolmates, in groups of 10-15 students per yoga class.
Reyansh’s favourite aspect of teaching yoga is the “satisfaction or sense of accomplishment” that it brings him. 😊
“I’m happy I can pass on my experience and knowledge to individuals around the world for their wellbeing.”
Reyansh feels “like a star” after earning his Guinness World Records title. “I’m the first one in my community and my school to receive this honourable record,” he said. ⭐️
Now 10 years old, Reyansh is focussed on doing well at school and continuing to teach yoga. 🧘
“I want to teach yoga in the metaverse, that would be fun.” – Reyansh
Reyansh tries to save as much of his earnings as possible. He also believes in donating some of his money to those in need.
“My family has always taught me that one who is kind will share [money], even if it’s only a little bit.”
His top yoga tip for beginners is to not give up: “Yoga is fun and not boring, I promise! After the initial push, you’ll really start enjoying it.” 😀