Every now and then, we feature yogis and yoga teachers all over the world. Meet Michael Kohan (Mukunda Chandra) – a full time yoga teacher, motivational speaker, wellness entrepreneur, and life coach based in New York. He has been practicing yoga since 1996. He currently runs a podcast on iTunes called Living Life on Purpose.
How many years have you been practicing yoga?
I have been practicing yoga since 1996. I took my first yoga class while at Rutgers when I was a long haired hippie. However, I did not begin to take my yoga practice serious until years ago when I met my first “real” yoga teacher, who inspired me to dive deep into the practice and discover who I am as a person.
How long have you been teaching yoga?
I started teaching yoga part-time in 2013 and took the leap and became a full-time yoga teacher in 2014.
How’s your life like off the mat? What do you do for a living and what are your other hobbies?
My life off the mat is very similar to my life on the mat. I live to the best of my abilities the life of a yogi. I meditate daily, practice yoga every day, study philosophy, take workshop on yoga monthly and spend my free time with other yogi. I am trying to incorporate more social aspects of yoga by going to Acro Yoga. I am at the point in my life where i feel established as a person where I can finally be a good Yogi Husband to a Yogi Wife. My routine starts almost every day at 5 am and I try to live the life of a wellness entrepreneur, (except Saturday where I sleep until 8 AM) . My morning routine consist of the below break down:
5:00 – 5:30 – Morning reading of yoga text and spiritual philosophy
6:00 – 6:30 – Morning prayers
6:30 – 7:30 – Morning study – I am in two online training programs for an additional 100 hours of life coaching techniques and a second course on Eastern religion
7:30 – 8 am – Journaling
8 – 8:30 – Morning Yoga practice (gentle routine)
8:30 am – Meditate
Then, I am off to go teach yoga 1 – 2 group yoga classes 5 days a week, and i try and have a least 1 -2 two private yoga class. and 1 life coach client a day. I take 3 -5 group yoga classes a week and on the weekends at least one or two times a month I try and attend a workshop on yoga. Additionally in my free time I am usually going to lectures on Yoga philosophy or mindful living. I have a very disciplined routine. I try and end my day by 9 Pm with my phones turned off in bed reading and listening to music that is calming and helps me fall asleep peacefully. I only allow myself to watch T.V. twice a week for a limited of hours – 3 hours max two days a week.
I am a full time yoga teacher, life coach, and motivational speaker. I run a podcast on iTunes called Living Life on Purpose, write a weekly blog and I am currently working on my first book. Eventually, I am working towards creating a couple online courses but I am not sure the material at present. And I am developing a couple of workshops i can brand as my signature classes.
Do I have other hobbies, I’m not sure – I read at least two books for pleasure a month, collect records, visit art museums and culture events, and spend time with other yogis, but I really don’t go out to bars and I only eat in healthy restaurants that are either vegan / vegetarian or farm to fresh restaurants. I go to the beach in the warmer weather and try to surf and go hiking when time permits but my life is yoga and personal development. My purpose for being on this earth is to help others recognize, develop, and use their intuitive abilities to ease suffering and grow in goodness, love, compassion, and wisdom. My desire is to help each of us connect to our true selves and empower individuals to a healthier lifestyle. I only know how to do this by living by example.
Where do you teach?
Currently, I teach in Northern New Jersey and Sub in New York City.
How did yoga change your life?
This is a great question. Yoga has saved my life. If it was not for yoga, I would be dead or on my way to an early grave. At 30 years old – I was divorced, 40 lbs overweight, smoked 2 packs a day, ate fried food for breakfast, a turkey sandwich for lunch with soda, and fast food take out for dinner. I work 12 – 15 hours days, needed sleep medication to fall asleep at night, and I had a prescription for Adderall to help focus at work. I was quick to anger, and treated people horrible. I was so focused on what fancy restaurant I was going to on a Friday night and if I could get into the trendy bar rather than developing meaningful relationships. Yoga helped me get a healthy mind, body, and soul. I found a deeper connection to life. Over time, I was able to lose the weight, get off the prescriptions, become kind and compassionate, and live life with purpose rather than on auto pilot.
What’s your favorite yoga pose?
Any arm balance or inversion. I have a strong core and a very straight back so I am able to fly a lot easier than most people. I love rocking arm balances in Classes and doing handstands throughout the yoga class. It’s my thing. Right now I am playing with learning the switch from parivrtta bakasana, to eka pada koundinyasana 2. I have not quite figured it out yet.
