Surrounded by melodic kirtans, devotional mantras, and the philosophy of the Bhagavad Gita since his early childhood in Canada, Maneesh found his passion for yoga rekindled as an adult. Escaping the frenzied rat race of the corporate world in Japan, Maneesh made his way back to India to deepen his studies. Over the following years, his understanding of yoga expanded through his studies and friendship with renowned teachers Chuck Miller, Maty Ezraty, and Chad Hamrin. Maneesh has been teaching yoga, offering retreats, and hosting yoga-related events in Japan for over a decade including over five years of hosting a variety of YGB fundraisers. Through his work, Maneesh endeavors to bring back the true message of yoga and make these teachings more accessible and understandable to the modern practitioner.
“I was introduced to Yoga Gives Back when an old yoga friend sent me the Sister Aid: Part 3-NISHTHA video. For those who may not have yet seen it, well, you must see it. It takes place in West Bengal, the region where my mother was raised and a place I spent a number of summer and winter vacations as a child. So I felt an instant connection to the video, the young mothers trying to make a better life for their children and the message that there IS something we can do. In a short 7 minutes, this powerful video reveals how easily we can help our fellow human beings who suffer far away, out of sight. Distance becomes no barrier. Yoga Gives Back has made it easy. And the message is clear: let’s take a bit of time out of our lives, to give thanks and to share with the country that has brought us immense joy through this body of knowledge and practice called yoga. I am honored to have this opportunity to help, to spread the word, to raise some donations, and to combine my love for yoga with my passion for contributing to the welfare of the Motherland. As my teachers often remind us, it is all too easy to forget how blessed we are just to have the means, the time, and the ability to practice Yoga. I would like to thank Yoga Gives Back for providing me this platform to add my drop or two to the ocean of charity, and to give back.”
