Ajay Mani Raj
My Story
I was born and raised in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India. I grew up in a big family where most of the relatives were into business. Most of them were stressed out a lot of the time because of the nature of work and their stress would spill over the family when they came back home. They were not happy and this affected everyone else in various ways. This made me so curious to discover how to live life happily and joyfully.
Initially, I thought it’s the nature of work that is driving them crazy like this. So I consciously didn’t get into any of the family businesses. I landed a corporate job after college. But I ended up discovering that people are even more miserable there!
By grace, I ended up enrolling in Sadhguru’s Inner Engineering program. 4 Weeks into the practices there was a massive impact on my life – the practices uplifted my body, mind, energy and overall health in ways in which I never thought possible. This motivated me to dive deeper to understand more about this path. In the process, it answered the most sought out question of my life – how to be happy.
I want everyone else to enjoy this possibility. That’s why I became a teacher – to help people understand their true potential and live life to the fullest. In 2019, I also started a project called Bicycle Yogis – to spread the joy of yoga to school children.
Now am in Oakland and looking forward to helping as many people as I can.
Glimpses of Ajay’s hatha yoga teacher training in 2015
Ajay makes an appearance at 2:32!
Growing up I had a hard time in middle school. I wasn't considered a bright student. This impacted my confidence immensely. It took years to come out of the damage it had on me - which impacted various aspects of my life.
In 2009, my final year of my college, I attended the Inner Engineering program. I practiced the Yoga taught by Sadhguru twice a day for 48 days - which is called in Yoga as a mandala. Life changed dramatically in ways in which I cannot put in words. I always thought Yoga is just for the body but the way it impacted my mind and soul was immense.
I had amazingly blissful experiences practicing yoga - but the biggest question which puzzled me was, “why is yoga not part of our school system?” If I would have been exposed to yoga at a very young age - my life would have been better. My early days would have had more sunshine, rather than living in fear and depression.
That is when I promised myself that I will share this knowledge with as many people as possible to help enhance and enrich people's life. Especially children - they are our future.
With Gratitude,
Ajay