Since the age of eighteen I have been doing various jobs in sales as sales representative, waiter, manager of many different projects, and more. At one point I worked as a manager handling alcohol and tobacco. I progressed more and more in my chosen career path and I was happy. It provided me with a good salary, serious responsibilities, fair and hard-working colleagues. Everything seemed to be as it should be. I could not complain, until one day after fifteen years of service and honest work I was all of a sudden released from my duties; in other words, I was fired, because the tobacco business experienced a decline due to the economic downturn. Many other companies had to downsize on a huge number of employees as well. So a sad moment had begun. All hopes of a successful career in good positions, high salary, and other work opportunities fell crashing down. The only thing that was left was to ask for benefits from the government and sign up at the job centre until a new well paid job could be found. However, I was not willing to do any of those things. I felt I had to find something that would express me and also would earn me a living.
Throughout the long years of work I noticed one interesting thing – managers, employees and business owners were very rarely truly happy or satisfied with their activities and lifestyle. Low turnovers and a need to achieve higher sales targets, competing with other businesses, various daily difficulties and challenges gave such a distress, which they could not release even being at home or while on holidays. Then I thought, there should be an answer to it, there should be a way to relax and release all worries and distress. I am a practical person, and so I began searching for a tangible solution.
I read a “mountain” of various books, I listened to all kind of advice and searched for answers from the world of renowned writers, spiritualists, peace activists and yoga teachers, who could explain this mad confusion of the human mind. That wisdom I was thirsting for and practising on a daily basis for over nine years helped me to maintain my balance and peace of mind, while achieving high sales targets and meeting deadlines. Customers liked dealing with me as well. All those years I was successful in maintaining a good mood, my inner peace and balance. Even my former colleagues noticed that. Thus, it all really benefited me after unexpected dismissal from work and literally being financially left on the ice. I was without a job, but with an idea that somehow I needed to find the means for people to calm their minds, find a way to relax their bodies and also look for something that would resonate with my heart.
I really liked the idea of finding a way to calm an ever tireless mind that I seriously began considering opening a Yoga Centre; the place where people before and after work could rest, physically strengthen their body, and begin recovering psychologically. Because of many years of experience while practicing yoga and its insights, I knew it would work out well for everybody. This idea was very real and close to my heart. To tell the truth, dismissal from work actually encouraged me to take a strong step toward accomplishing my dream – I became a yoga teacher and opened The Sri Sri Yoga Centre in Vilnius, Lithuania.
I got engaged into the practice of yoga over nine years ago when I attended a course called “Art of Living“. There I received insights about what it was to be living a good life and how it could help to live more peacefully. I became drawn to the wisdom of yoga, the answers it provided to my questions, its practicality and its effective use in day-to-day living. The practice of yoga gave me more energy, enthusiasm, clarity, peace of mind and good health. Also my personal relationships grew stronger, I began understanding my feelings, emotions and how to handle it well. Yoga’s teachings carry a knowledge about the works of the mind, how to soothe it, how to relax your body and experience a quality rest; also it is capable of increasing levels of enthusiasm and peace. Once you find such profound truths, you wish to share it with others, or at least that was what happened to me. So after I was fired from my employment, I made a decision to go to Germany to attend a special course organised for Sri Sri Yoga teachers. The knowledge and skills I gained there, which were theoretical and practical, later brought me to a moment, where I opened my own Yoga Centre.
What I truly like about Sri Sri Yoga practices is the simplicity of it, its effectiveness and a combination of key types of yoga. Here you can find everything: special exercise for strengthening physical body and regaining balance, relaxation, a variety of breathing techniques, meditation and wisdom. This is all we need to be in harmony with life. My own life has changed dramatically since I was introduced to yoga. I became calmer, I started to smile more and look at life through a positive outlook, and I am more cheerful, more open, simple and honest. Actually, I am truly happy!
At present I am following the path of easiness and fulfilment. My work gives me joy. I feel good, especially at those moments, when someone comes to me and says: “Thank you. I feel rested, recovered and happier“. I think, that is the real career in one’s life.
Vyrenijus Andrijauskas
Yoga Teacher
Sri Sri Yoga Centre
Vilnius, Lithuania
Motto: “Yoga with a smile”
Copyright © Jolita Kelias, September 2011
All Rights Reserved
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