"Yogarpanam consists of two words. Yoga and Arpanam. Yoga is derived from the Samskrtm root Yuj which means to Unite. Arpanam means to Surrender. According to our Ancient Yogic Wisdom the Uniting with the Highest aspect of the Self with complete Surrender is the Yoga of Action."

Sir T.K.V. Desikachar, guiding me through a Meditative Practise, honouring the Gayatri Mantra.

The important thing is to live consciously. Whether it is through what I teach (yogasanas/yoga postures, pranayama, philosophy, meditation & breath-work), what I eat (ethical vegan) or how I spend every moment of my life. Deeply grateful for the teachings and wisdom received from evolved masters who never forgot to see beauty, love & humor in all." Acharya Samita Rathor.

EXPERIENCES OF STUDENTS

https://www.facebook.com/Yogarpanam/reviews

I had to take my time to describe what happened when I met samita...this is something that words can not explain! My life was very painful before and I could not focus on what really mattered. I used to waste a lot of energy in futile things and make the wrong choices. I was just walking down a path that was driving me to the wrong place but then I saw a light on the side of that tunnel. When samita first talked to me in her ashram, I felt something that can not be described...if I have to put it simply... I felt focus, energy, happiness all in one moment...her light was contagious and it made everything so clear. after I had the honour to follow samita's classes, my life became full of happy thoughts and actions and that strength and awareness has never left me since then. I will never be able to thank her enough for what she has done for me. every time a person I love is in trouble or is suffering, I always remember what she has taught me ...it's a chain of love that makes the world a better place and we should all be part of it. Elena, Rome, Italy.

 i moved to bangalore for a month to study with samita. my teacher in italy introduced me to her after she studied with samita. i decided to go deeper in the study of yoga and life itself, so i wanted to spend more time in bangalore to be followed personally by samita and learn as much as i could in that small amount of time. my studies back home were more about reading books and trying to understand what yoga is. i was pushed by curiosity and the will to know more about it, so to apply that to my lifetime experience. while in bangalore, i was staying at a hotel close to her house so every morning i woke up early and went to her place. since i was alone for the first 2 weeks, i used to walk around the city or study or practice in my hotel room for the rest of the day. those days were very intense, being alone helped me to understand what i have to focus on and reorganize my life better. samita's classes were very individual, being me and her every morning talking about ''life'' was the main practice, and i needed it so much. i had the time to ask her about everything i always had doubts about, and listen closely to every single word she said; i felt like the short time i had there was very precious and i couldn't waste any concept she was explaining to me. every weekend we had a class with other students on the ''patanjali's yoga sutras'', and 5 hours would pass so fast that it felt like 5 minutes. i felt on my skin what focus is. i understood that ''practice'' is not when you physically do something but instead is how you live your life every moment, how do you relate to others and to yourself; the practice never stops. it's very hard to explain with words what i've learned there, i still feel that i need to spend so much time with her in order to throw away my old habits. when i left india and went back home, i realized that the real challenge was to keep all i've learned in mind and to apply it to my daily life. emmanuel dezz, rome, italy

Samita is a rare jewel of a teacher who shares her profound knowledge and wisdom, passed down to her from her teacher, sri desikachar and his father, sri Krishnamacharya, (among other enlightened masters) from a place of love, truth and sincerity. I will be eternally grateful for having met samita and for her setting me off along the yogic path.the emphasis of personal shaping of yoga practice which Samita advocates, comprises of a personal and holistic approach to her student’s mental and physical well-being, through asanas, pranayama, chanting, meditation and dietary advice. it is yoga therapy in the true sense of the term. my weekly sessions with samita were like a pocket of calm in the storm of my life at the time and would take place in a seemingly timeless zone, with hours passing like minutes. i remember vividly the sense of peace and tranquility i experienced through her kind instruction and the sense of trust and friendship she created. sarah, new delhi

Samita is one of a kind, a wonderful person that came across into my life. she is someone who projects a sense of grace in her well being. having a session with her was definitely an eye opening experience for me in terms of how my body should be moving and breathing the right way is the integral part in attaining true synchronization with the energies around us. she has a unique way of making you feel comfortable and at peace with self. i wish her all the luck i can gather. all good things samita. rajeev thomas, bangalore

I am blessed to have met samita and have studied with her for some time now. samita passes down her knowledge of true yoga as taught to her from her teacher, desikachar, son of krishnamacharya. through the one-on-one sessions we have had together she has taught me many things i can apply to my yoga study, and to my life. specifically, chanting, personalised asana programs and diet, health, emotional and spiritual advice. however samita will tailor your sessions specifically to your needs, as she does not believe one size fits all. kelly barrs, london, uk

Samita taught and interpreted the patanjali yogasutra to me. i don’t understand sanskrit very well but was keen to read and understand patanjali yogasutra in sanskrit. Samita made me read the yogasutra in sanskrit and then painstakingly explained the meaning of each sutras. it took a long time to go through the many sutras of yogasutra but every class was worth its weight in gold. samita is a radiant person and her radiance comes through when she teaches you. you feel blessed and the energy of patanjali can be experienced by you during and after each class. try it. aum.  rajnish, bangalore, india when i met samita in january 2013, i hadn't slept on my back in three months. i had left my traveling job and was still in pain all the time. within a month of starting our sessions, i was able to lie on my back again. the new practices i adopted helped me embrace a new job, marriage, pregnancy, and motherhood. change is a constant, but i know that with her counsel, i can navigate whatever comes my way. Meghna Prasad, Bangalore, India

I thank Yogarpanam and samita rathor for the one to one teaching method,understanding and effective customized practice which helped me both mentally and physically and enabled my quick recovery with minimal or no side effects....thanks a lot samita rathor for without your guidance things would have been very difficult. rekha, bangalore, india

Hi! just two months ago my ten year old son was a high strung, high maintenance little boy prone to temper rages. his extreme bad handwriting was proving a deterrent in school and he was also quite reluctant to go to school. his childhood that should have by all indications been a happy secure one seemed to be a dark dismal little world. it was in this scenario that we came to Samita.her one-on- one approach seems to have worked well for him. and her holistic approach to the situation involved the entire family. she spoke to my boy and right away seemed to break a barrier where he let out that his reluctance to attend school was because of some bullying issues. that tackled slowly a very light yoga regimen to improve his upper body and increase his concentration was put in place. we have seen steady progress in him. he's calmer now. he concentrates longer and his writing too has improved - his teachers have commented on it. he likes his sessions and cheerily accompanies us to each one. which is conducted in a non-threatening, easy way. samita has spoken to each of us individually and worked with us as a family, a unit, to deal with his situation. so each of us is aware and playing a vital role in his progress. though it is just the beginning and a journey of healing far from over, i am  full of gratitude to have been placed in a path where i could meet samita. and she in turn could help my son. sangita, bangalore, india

When I came to Samita about a year ago, my life was in shambles. i was trying to recover from the break up of a 24 years old marriage. psychologically and physically i was a mess. then one day i saw an note at iic where a young lady called samita rathor was offering personalized yoga classes. what attracted me to the note was the fact that samita stated - since each person is unique and has unique problems, group yoga classes are not a solution to problems, the classes have to be worked out on a one to one basis, with the teacher understanding her pupil and the pupil communicating her discomforts. thats, how i decided to get in touch with her and start the classes. i have never regretted my decision, quite on the contrary, i bless samita for the way she approaches her pupil and how she gradually evolves an appropriate schedule. she is extremely sensitive and immediately understands what are the needs on a particular day. i remember coming one day, feeling so low that i just slunk on the sofa with no desire to get up. one look at me and she said - today we will do breathing exercises and you don’t have to get up. i was amazed ! i am now feeling more in control of my life and physically too, whenever i am regular, i feel positive energy flow after my session. i wish more people discover her.Maya, New Delhi, India

Yoga helps me connect to myself. each hour i spend on the mat isn’t just about performing the asanas but it’s also about giving myself the space to collect my thoughts. and to drop some of those thoughts and get rid of the clutter. i’ve been practicing yoga for a year and a half, and i’ve made some very important decisions of my life in this time.  somehow, i’ve had the courage to say yes to the things and people i want and say no the stuff that i don’t, and known the difference. personally, i feel that the conversations i’ve had with my yoga teacher have helped me understand the kind of life i want to lead and for that, i’m extremely grateful. these conversations and insights have helped me get more comfortable with the person i am. komal, gurgaon, india 

Don't know what to  really write about samita  as words would not do justice in describing the person she is . i think she is able to understand people very quickly and forgets the time when she is helping a person out (she gets that involved )i had to remind her very often that there was another person waiting for his or her turn .the best part is that she understands that one has to live the so called normal life ,ie, work , earn a lively hood and have a family etc and that it's not really possible for everyone to live the life of a recluse and tries to bring in a balance between the two worlds. she does not brag that she knows all and is also happy to learn , that's what makes her different . she has played an important role in my life (although we could not spend too much time ) in helping me reset it and start as if it were new with the experience of the mistakes made in the past and not having to pay for them. her quotes in her calendars that she did for the civil society are to die for !!! sirish, bangalore, india

Samita is a wise, warm, caring teacher who not only gives you her time, but makes you feel that your input is also very valid. from her life experience to mine, we can learn from each other. she has taught me so much, i truly value her as a teacher and i look forward to spending more time taking in as much of her knowledge as possible in future. i am honoured to be a part of this very unique and special linage, if you are interested in leading a purer, more honest, more content and compassionate i.e. a yogic way of life, then samita can help you well on your way. anonymoussamita imparts her knowledge of yoga and its philosophical teachings with a clarity and depth that brings an understanding of yoga beyond asana practice, enabling the deepening of ones personal practice and the cultivation of its relevance and integration into daily life. her transmission of yoga's spiritual wisdom is both illuminating and inspiring. i am humbled by her generosity and willingness to share the breath and depth of her knowledge of yoga, for the benefit of all beings.   charlotte, sydney, australia

Samita is a very knowledgeable teacher; very wise and open with her teachings. in my session i learnt new mediations techniques and some beautiful chanting. i found samita to be very inspiring with my spiritual journey. sat nam. megan geach, sydney, australiai met samita at a time when aspects of my life felt unresolved, up in the air and i had a vague restlessness plaguing me. our weekly sessions felt like a spring cleaning of the soul- emotionally, mentally and physically. samita helped me get to a place where i rely on my own truth to navigate life's uncertainties. it's not just a yoga routine that she gifts you but a lifestyle- one that fits the person that you are. her lack of judgement, gentle questions and intuitive suggestions resonate very deeply with me. she feeds the spiritual seeker in me just right- always helping me find my peace in my own hridaya. she has helped me trust the flow of life. sri, bangalore, india

I'm a breast cancer survivor and it's been the best teacher i have ever had.... it's scary even i have my days of worry but it's not a synonym for death ...it's merely a wake up call to live and live life to the fullest, admiring each and every creation and emotion!!!! life irrespective of where or what you are is uncertain so why not make the most of what you have always!!!! rekha, Bangalore, India

 My recent meeting with samita rathor ma'am has really been a significant one that has provided me an all new direction towards yoga, thus, opening a new dimension which is indeed profound and holistic. i approached her to gain understanding on yoga asanas. little did i know that my entire approach towards yoga, that had been there for years, is going to be questioned yes you heard me. the accomplished master showed me the way and literally changed my entire outlook towards yoga. samita ma’am is a reservoir of knowledge and after having few sessions with her i was ecstatic and curious to know about the entire science that is involved behind yoga. she has an excellent command over her teachings and she delivers it with utmost ease and clarity. her teachings are pragmatic which we can apply in our day to day living. i attended her yoga sutra sessions by patanjali which has left an indelible mark on my being. the way these sutras are so structured and logical that one is bound to just imbibe them without the need to question. once you have a hands on experience on this then probably it would be clear as to why i am saying so. it has been a pleasure knowing samita ma'am, an impressive personality and above all a very strong and ardent being, who knows exactly what she is doing. not many people you come across are like this. anyone who would connect with her would for sure be thoroughly inspired. i am grateful and humbled to have known her. isha, Bangalore, India

Samita was introduced to me by a close friend some years ago. at the time, i was bordering on an unreasonable feeling of restlessness, anger and low self-worth. changes were immediate and i am grateful! a feeling of well-being embraced me along with the deep sense that everything was fine, and always would be. this became stronger in my subsequent meetings with her. samita taught me techniques, on how to stay still, breathe correctly, and a yoga work out, tailored to my needs. she also throws in conversations on spirituality and is generous and patient when asked uninformed, ignorant questions. in time i have recommended her to a friend, and he too, left feeling ‘grounded’. samita has a one-point mission of helping everyone individually, how to be at peace by tapping into themselves. she is a necessity in today’s chaos! Sudha, Bangalore, India

Samita is like the guru i've always read about. the one who appears when the student is ready. i met samita in 2013 at a time when i had sort of reached a plateau in my yoga practice and was looking for something deeper. she opened new doors into understanding for me and healed me in so many ways i doubt she even realises. she is so instinctive. like i'll just get a message out of the blue from her when i probably need her the most and she doesn't even know but she just happens to message me and offer me the right kind of advice when i need it the most. shes also taught me the power of sound and healing through chanting. her voice and cadence when she chants is strong. she's amazing and i hope she knows it :) suzanna gayatri kurian, Bangalore, India.