Samanta Duggal, Co-founder and Yoga Director, Yogasutra

Today, Samanta Duggal, yoga director and co-founder of Yogasutra-an open studio, which brings the best of all yoga practices under one roof-exudes warmth and is a picture of serenity as we sit on her studio floor and discuss her transformation.

"My body ached while rehearsing for dance movements and I no longer enjoyed the act of dancing. No, there was no let-up in the performances but something was amiss," says Samanta.

So one fine day, while she was in Toronto taking Bollywood dance classes, Samanta Duggal chanced upon an advertisement of Yoga course by Shivananda school of Yoga. "It was for $1500. I could have done the complete one year course back in India," laughs Samanta. The orgainsers too advised her to go back to India and do an extensive course.

Samanta did a Teacher Training Course (TTC) in Yoga from the Shivananda Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy; Neyyar Dam, Kerala, India in 2003 and followed it up with Advanced Teacher Training Course in Yoga from the same institute.

"I liked the whole package- the all encompassing philosophy, meditation, asanas, healthy food and simple lifestyle practices. It gave me a new lease of life," admits Samanta.

Back with Shiamak Dance Company after the yoga course in 2003, she introduced and co-developed "Inner dance movement" with her mentor and famous dance teacher Shiamak Davar, which combines Jazz dance with Yoga movements.

"The idea was slightly ahead of time and didn't work as people in Mumbai were not yet ready to experiment," says Samanta

Meanwhile, she continued learning various forms of Yoga and Ayurvedic practices such as Hatha Yoga; Vinyasa Yoga; advanced pranayama, meditation and yogic techniques from Pranava Yogadhamma School of Yoga, Mysore; course in vedic chanting from Krishanamacharya Yoga Mandiram; foot reflexology from Wat Po, Thailand; panchakarma therapy from School of Ayurveda and Panchakarma from Kerala, India; advanced Thai massage training from Auroville, Tamil Nadu; yoga therapy training course, Yoga Vidhya Dham, Nasik etc.

"So, which school of yoga was more fulfilling?"

"I have learnt and practiced some of the best forms of Yoga and felt that each form is good and has something unique to offer. Its upto the student to decide which form suits him the best. And that's how the concept of open studio took shape- A boutique studio, which offers every form of yoga practiced in India under one roof. It is very popular in America Europe and Asia," says Samanta.

In July 2008, she partnered with Shaleen Parekh to start Yoga sutra- a first of its kind open boutique studio in India.

Initially, Samanta had a tough time looking for studio space in Mumbai and convincing teachers practicing different forms of yoga to come under one umbrella of Yogasutra.

"We were apprehensive for the first few days as unlike America; people in India attach lot of sentimental value to the yoga Guru and feel guilty about even thinking of experimenting with a different form of yoga. But, the response has been very encouraging. In less than two months, we have 121 students learning various yoga techniques in Yogasutra," says Samanta.What has caught fancy of people is the choice of teachers, courses and flexible timings in Yogasutra.

"We have three different packages- 8, 12, and 24 packs- for classes valid for anywhere between 6 weeks to three months. While enrolling students, we give them our work calendar, which enlists various courses and teachers. A student can walk-in any time and join the yoga class-in-progress or teacher of his choice. Its upto the student to stick to a particular course or experiment with a new one," says Samanta. "Yes, we do offer personal guidance when needed. For example Vinyasa Yoga is for more experienced practioner and suits the younger lot whereas Bihar School of Yoga is a slower meditative approach, which will appeal to participants having body pain, elders and people looking for a more introspective practice."

Going forward, she is planning to take franchisee route to open Yogasutra branches all across Mumbai and eventually to different cities across India.