“Yoga is one of the ways we wake up; it is you, it is me, it is everyone,” is the guiding thought that led Yog Acharya Pradeep Mehta to start Samsara Wellness in 2019.
With over a decade of experience in yoga, Mehta has established himself as a trusted and experienced guide. He trains diverse clients, including celebrities, expats, corporates, sportspersons, professional dancers, fitness enthusiasts, and thousands of students and followers.
Mehta’s journey into yoga began in 2007, and since then, he has continuously expanded his knowledge and skills through various certifications and training programs. His formal training started with Bharat Thakur in Delhi in 2009, where he learned Artistic Yoga. He then completed 200 hours of certified Hatha Yoga Teacher Training from Sivananda Ashram in Uttarkashi in 2011.
In addition to his yoga certifications, Mehta has also become a Certified Laughter Yoga Trainer under the guidance of Dr Madan Kataria and has trained in AcroYoga under Jason Nemer. He has also studied Sound Healing from Shiva Girish and yoga therapies under Raghu Chandrashekhar.
Through his various training programs and experiences under different gurus, Mehta has been inspired to share the revelations of yoga with others, aiming to “light up the flame in as many souls as possible.” With his wealth of experience and diverse expertise, Mehta is a sought-after yoga expert dedicated to helping others achieve physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
Talking about Samsara Wellness, he says, “It is not just a wellness platform, but a reflection of life’s cycle, mirroring the principles of yoga—uniting mind, body, and soul. Originating in 2019 through in-person yoga sessions, the challenges of 2020 prompted a transformation. Today, Samsara Wellness is an upcoming singular app, harmonising traditional yoga and wellness practices with modern corporate demands, offering a unique and comprehensive approach to well-being.”
We caught up with Mehta to learn about AcroYoga, one of the many forms of yoga that he practises and teaches at Samsara Wellness. AcroYoga blends the wisdom of yoga, the dynamic power of acrobatics, and the loving kindness of healing arts. These three lineages form the foundation of a practice that cultivates trust, playfulness, and community. It’s a partnership practice involving one person acting as a base, who keeps in contact with the ground to support the flyer and is lifted into various poses that stretch and strengthen the entire body. Usually, the base lies on the ground, and they use their legs to support the flyer. More advanced positions require the base to stand up and support the flyer using the arms. “With its transformative benefits for mind, body, and spirit, AcroYoga is a practice that can truly change your life and is well worth exploring,” he explained.
- What drew you to AcroYoga, and how has it impacted your life?
As a yoga practitioner, I was charmed by this form’s beauty, agility and fluidity. I found AcroYoga quite fancy back then and suddenly thought, why couldn’t I do it? We normally only see it on TV by professionals. I took it as a challenge, and it changed my life. I have been practising and teaching it since then.
- Can you explain the basics of AcroYoga for beginners?
AcroYoga, as we know it now, combines acrobatics, yoga, and even healing/therapeutic practices. It focuses on the trust elements of acrobatics, the compassion elements of therapeutics, and the mind-body connection elements of yoga to form a unique yoga style.
- How do you build trust with your partner in AcroYoga?
Trust is the foundation of any AcroYoga practice. You need to trust your partner to keep you safe, and your partner needs to trust you similarly. Communication is vital for ensuring that everyone is on the same page, whether you’re deciding which pose to try next or making adjustments during a pose.
- What are some common misconceptions about AcroYoga? How is this new form gaining popularity in India?
We can’t do it.
It’s only for professionals.
If we do it, we will break our bones.
It’s too risky.
When I first introduced AcroYoga, I faced several challenges setting up workshops in different cities. Issues such as personal space, trust with unknown individuals, and communication barriers were common. However, the practice has gained momentum and popularity with time and patience. The initial challenges have been overcome, and the response to this new form of yoga has been overwhelmingly positive, with more and more people embracing the practice and its benefits.
- How does AcroYoga complement your physical and mental well-being?
Improves flexibility and balance: AcroYoga’s partner-based nature helps improve flexibility and balance. As you work with a partner, you will engage in stretches and poses that require you to move in new and challenging ways.
Enhances body awareness: AcroYoga encourages you to be fully present and mindful of your movements. This increased body awareness can help improve your posture, alignment, and overall physical coordination.
Builds trust and communication: AcroYoga is a practice that involves trusting and relying on your partner. You will develop a deeper trust and connection with your partner through clear communication and teamwork.
Boosts self-confidence: As you progress in your AcroYoga practice, you will achieve new poses and overcome challenges. This can boost your self-confidence and help you believe in your abilities on and off the mat.
Reduces stress and anxiety: Like traditional yoga, AcroYoga incorporates breathwork and mindfulness, which can help relax the mind and reduce stress and anxiety.
AcroYoga can transform the overall personality of the participant by enhancing mental, physical, and spiritual aspects. Its athleticism, discipline, and concentration can improve one’s personality, confidence, trust, and kindness. It can also aid in weight loss, and the Thai massage component can enhance skin health. The benefits of AcroYoga are numerous, including:
- Acroyoga enhances concentration, which helps to free the mind from worries and relieve stress, leading to a more peaceful life.
- This trio combination strengthens the immune system and improves the overall quality of life, leading to happiness, satisfaction, and contentment.
- It helps ease various chronic health conditions such as insomnia, anxiety, depression, pain, etc.
- It improves digestion, boosts elimination of toxins, and improves blood circulation, thereby building stamina. It also improves memory and capacity for recall.
- AcroYoga poses emphasise proper body alignment, relieve gas and constipation and help build an appetite.
AcroYoga promotes mental and physical health and a positive attitude towards life.
- Can you share a memorable experience or achievement in your AcroYoga journey?
My memorable experience was getting trained; the community was very different the whole day. It’s a life-changing experience with learning and sharing. You meet people from different cultures, different languages, and new learning.
- How do you balance strength, flexibility, and communication in your practice?
There’s just one keyword here: practice makes one perfect.
- What advice would you give to someone starting their AcroYoga journey?
Just be yourself and embrace what you learn with an open mind.
- How does AcroYoga foster community and connection?
AcroYoga literally and figuratively elevates the connection between you and others through movement and play. Acro in Greek means high or elevated, while Yoga in Sanskrit commonly translates to notions of union or joining. AcroYoga invites practitioners to tap into infinite possibilities of communication, trust, and union with another person. It blends three related practices: solar aerobics, lunar therapy, and yogic practices.
- Solar Acrobatic Practices that cultivate trust, empowerment and joy.
- Lunar Healing Arts Practices that cultivate listening, loving and letting go.
- Yogic Practices cultivate breathing awareness, life balance and connection.
It involves three active partners: one who plays the base, one who is the flyer, and one who is the spotter.
- What inspires you to continue growing and learning in your practice?
Learning new things daily with tricks and turns, new partners, and a new community; there is always something new to learn.
- Can you walk us through a typical practice or training session?
Normally, we go to acro jamming sessions in parks, beaches, or wherever possible; these sessions are mostly free to experience and take your practice to the next level.
These trainings start with warm-up games and then partner workouts.
- How does AcroYoga influence other areas of your life, such as relationships or work?
AcroYoga gives us such a rush of adrenaline. Is it the thrill of being up in the air, the heat of a fellow human’s body or the soul-capturing focus? Perhaps, and probably, it’s a combination of the three. In comparing the two, it may seem that being connection-focused sounds more friendly and positive than task-oriented. Much like the relationships they serve, these participation states are not black and white. It is essential to strike a balance between both sides—not just with your partner, but within yourself as well!
- What are some common challenges in AcroYoga, and how do you overcome them?
Normally, people come from different backgrounds with different thoughts and mindsets. When they begin with acro, there are a few hurdles, like approach, connection, touch, and many more. So, to overcome this, we start with an opening circle and then a few connection games, which are also touch-based.
- What are the precautions and challenges for a yoga enthusiast?
AcroYoga is a safe practice, but before starting, it’s important to be mindful of any existing knee problems, lower back issues, or spine-related conditions.
If you’re new to the practice, seeking in-person guidance is best. Taking a class ensures that the poses will be learned efficiently and safely. Typically, the class is broken into groups of three people so that the base and flyer always have a spotter standing nearby to ensure safety for beginners. Another benefit of formal training is that you don’t have to supply your partner. However, an AcroYoga class can also be a lovely date with your partner or a way to have fun with a friend.
- Are there any exciting projects or collaborations you’re working on?
We are working on workshops and planning to officially launch AcroYoga training in India.
