Ravi Dixit’s Journey from Tradition to Transformation
Words: Talita Zuiderveld
When you first meet Ravi Dixit, known to many as ‘the smiling Yogi’, you immediately sense a calm joy that comes not from circumstance, but from practice. Born in India into a Brahmin family, Ravi has been immersed in yoga since childhood. Today, he is a respected teacher, bridging the gap between ancient tradition and modern life. His story, however, is not just about teaching yoga, it’s about how yoga has been both his life’s path and his greatest source of healing.
Yoga: Growing up in India
“I started practicing yoga when I was nine years old,” Ravi recalls. “My grandfather, an astrologer, taught me to chant mantras and use mudras. From there, I moved into asana and pranayama. It was never something separate from my life. For me, it was life itself.” This early introduction shaped his worldview. Later, time spent in Rishikesh’s ashrams solidified his path as a teacher. “The more I lived and studied in ashrams, the more I understood, this is my journey. Yoga was not just something I practiced; it felt like I was coming home.”
Authentic Yoga: More Than Postures
For Ravi, teaching “authentic” yoga means returning to the roots.
“Yoga is not exercise,” he says firmly. “It is a path of life, guided by the eight limbs of yoga; ethics, discipline, posture, breath, withdrawal of the senses, concentration, meditation, and union. Authentic yoga doesn’t add its own spices to the recipe; it honours the wisdom of the sages while making it approachable for everyone today.”
He contrasts this with many Western practices: “In the West, yoga is often just a physical workout. But authentic yoga is about harmony; body, mind, and spirit. It teaches us to be kind to ourselves, not hard on ourselves.”
In Western culture, yoga has often been stripped of its philosophical depth. For many, it is introduced simply as a stretching or fitness routine. “A lot of Western yoga focuses on achieving the perfect posture or building flexibility,” Ravi explains. “But yoga is not about touching your toes. It’s about awareness, compassion, and inner balance.”
He points out that the rise of social media has further distorted this understanding. “Instagram make it look like yoga is just about extreme poses. But authentic yoga is not about performance, it’s about transformation. The physical postures are only one small part of the whole.”
Ravi emphasises that authentic Indian yoga comes from the full system outlined by the sages, not just physical fitness. “We follow the original principles given by the Rishis, the yamas, niyamas, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi. These are the foundation for a healthy life, not just a strong body.”
The Eight Limbs of Yoga: A Roadmap for Life
Ravi often reminds his students that the yoga tradition offers a complete framework for living well, described in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Known as the eight limbs of yoga, they provide guidance far beyond the yoga mat. The first two limbs, yamas (ethical principles) and niyamas (personal disciplines), teach us how to relate to others and ourselves; with kindness, truth, contentment, and self awareness. The third limb, asana, refers to physical postures, which prepare the body for steadiness. The fourth, pranayama, is the control of breath and energy. The fifth, pratyahara, is the withdrawal of the senses, turning inward rather than being distracted by the external world.
The final three limbs are more meditative: dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation), and samadhi (union or absorption). Together, they form a holistic system that guides practitioners from external practices to the deepest states of inner peace. “The eight limbs are like steps on a ladder,” Ravi says. “You don’t have to climb them all at once, but each one supports the next. It shows us that yoga is not just about moving the body, it’s about transforming the mind and spirit too.”
“Of course, I am also just human and make mistakes, I am far from perfect, but having my foundation of Yoga, it’s the place I can always come back to, every day, it keeps me grounded and teaches me compassion and forgiveness, towards others but also towards myself”
The Healing Power of Breath and Stillness
Ravi believes the most overlooked element in Western yoga is pranayama, the practice of working with the breath.
“Breath is life, but pranayama is more than just breath. Pranayama works with prana shakti, our life-force energy. It clears the nadis, the subtle channels in the body, so energy can flow freely again. When practiced daily, pranayama brings clarity, heals the nervous system, and strengthens the immune system.”
His favourite technique? Nadi Shodhana, or alternate nostril breathing. “It creates balance between the left and right brain, calming the mind and soothing the body. Even ten minutes a day can completely change how you feel.”
Yoga as Medicine: Surviving the Accident
The true power of yoga revealed itself most dramatically after Ravi’s life took a sudden turn in 2020. A scooter accident in Goa left him with life threatening injuries: collapsed lungs, multiple fractures, sepsis, and a brain injury. He spent a week in a coma and over a month in the ICU on a ventilator.
“The doctors weren’t sure if I would survive,” he remembers quietly. “But even in the hospital bed, I used what I had – my practice. I would chant mantras in my mind. I started with small movements, and once I was off the ventilator, pranayama to rebuild my lungs. Yoga became my medicine.”
The medical team told him his years of practice had given his body and mind the strength to recover. “That accident was my second life,” Ravi reflects. “Yoga healed me, not only physically, but also emotionally. It taught me patience, acceptance, and gratitude for simply being alive.”
We have been given all the tools to support our own healing, by nature, by our breath, our body, we have just forgotten how to use them.
Ravi Yoga Retreat: A Home for Healing
Today, Ravi lives between Richmond, London and Goa, India, where he runs the Ravi Yoga Retreat, a beachfront resort dedicated to sharing authentic yoga. The retreat centre offers yoga holidays, workshops, and teacher trainings, blending daily practice with the natural rhythms of the ocean.
“It’s a place where people can disconnect from the stress of modern life and reconnect with themselves,” Ravi explains. “We practice together, we breathe together, and people leave feeling lighter, healthier, and more at peace. Community is such a big part of the healing process.”
“Healing is often seen as a ‘heavy’ word. Like, there must be something wrong with you that you need healing. But the truth is we all need healing sometimes. Whether it’s just releasing stress that has built up from our daily routines, recovering from an illness or processing grief, healing is part of life, it’s reconnecting to our true selves”
A Practice for Everyone
Ravi’s teaching today is infused with this understanding of yoga as a healing path. Whether in his retreats in Goa, online classes, or workshops in London, his focus is on authenticity and accessibility.
“Yoga is for everyone; any age, any level. You don’t need expensive clothes or the perfect posture. Even ten minutes of simple breathing or movement can bring profound benefits. Yoga meets you where you are. It doesn’t demand anything but your presence.”
Yoga is Universal Knowledge
What does Ravi hope people will take away from his teaching? “That yoga is about connecting with yourself.
It doesn’t belong to India, or to me, it’s universal knowledge. Its purpose is healing, harmony. If you give yoga a little space in your life each day, it will give you more than you can imagine.”
He pauses, smiling as always. “Yoga saved my life. And it can change yours too.”
THREE TIPS FOR BEGINNERS FROM RAVI DIXIT
- Start where you are
Yoga is for everyone, at any age or level of fitness. You don’t need to be
flexible or strong. Begin with simple postures and breathing exercises
that suit your body. - Consistency over duration
Even ten minutes a day can be transformative. It’s better to practice a
little consistently than to do long sessions irregularly. - Focus on awareness, not perfection
Yoga is not about the perfect pose. It’s about reconnecting with
yourself. Pay attention to your breath, your mind, and how your body
feels. That awareness is where the true benefits lie.
THREE TIPS FOR HEALING FROM RAVI DIXIT
- Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing)
Spend just 5 minutes each day balancing your breath. This simple
pranayama calms the nervous system, clears the mind, and boosts
immunity. - A Moment of Stillness
Even if you only have two minutes, sit quietly, close your eyes,
and observe your breath. Stillness is medicine, it helps you
reconnect with yourself in the middle of busy life. - One Act of Kindness
Yoga is more than movement, even a smile or kind word is yoga.
Bringing compassion into daily life is as powerful as any posture.
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