Author

Roopa

Hello there!

This is Roopa here, the creator of 'Bomma' the doll you see in the drawings on this blog - all hand-drawn by me ! As a Certified Yoga Teacher, I guide people of all ages towards health & joyfulness on the Yoga Path. Teaching is not just my profession; it is my calling, and I cherish the connections I build with every student.
Beyond the mat, my biggest smiles are when I am in the midst of nature!
I love the smell of the Earth, the sight of rivers, mountains & lakes, the taste of all fresh fruits & vegetables, the sweat n sparkle after a good workout, and the emotion of Carnatic classical ragas.
I like to think of myself as a person with a lot of possibilities! With degrees in English, Psychology, Sanskrit, Cardio–Pulmonary Perfusion, Applied Nutrition and some other interesting fields, I not only love learning, I share my knowledge as well.
I am a gardener, trekker, avid reader, learner & poet who enjoys motivating people to be their best!
Over the years, I have received Best Trainer Awards and Best Paper Awards at national conferences for my contributions to health and wellness. I’m also a freelance writer, published in The Hindu. I share insights on health, yoga, well-being, personal growth and mindful living on my blog, The Road Well Taken.
Do subscribe to my blog !

TREK MAGIC

My awesome Kashmir Great Lakes Trek !! – part 1

by Roopa
written by Roopa

Step by Step and Breath by Breath – that is the way to climb !

My Kashmir Great Lakes Trek was challenging, charming, and stimulating apart from being an awesome one overall !

The thrilling aspects of the trek:

Distance covered – 74 kms in 6 days (in mountainous high-altitude terrain)

Ascent to 14000ft (4200m)

Climb and descent of 3 Himalayan passes – Nichnai, Gadsar and Zaj

Steep ascents and steep descents every day

8 picturesque and beautiful glacier-fed lakes

Blossom-filled verdant meadows stretching as far as the eye can see

Gushing stream-crossings

Steep boulder climbs and extended boulder traverses

The Journey Unfolds !

Day 1 – We reach the base camp at Sonamarg, a very pretty place that means ‘Golden Meadow’. We spend the first night here by a beautiful river, getting to know each other, admiring the beauty all around, clicking our first pics, getting used to the wind, the cold, the tents, getting a feel of the days to come. It’s cold after sunset, I just can’t get warm enough in my sleeping bag, and barely sleep.

Awesome views around Sonamarg base camp

The horses look so good in these backgrounds

Day 2  –   The actual trek begins !! We start off to Nichnai. We have read that it is going to be a long and a tough day as we begin to ascend today. The meadows we climb up to are unbelievably beautiful, the shades of green are totally mesmerizing! The path also leads into a dark and deep-green forest. When we exit it, we have a really long stretch of walking on boulders along a stream for miles and miles before we reach our camp for the night! Yes, we get an idea of what the terrain and scenery is going to be like for the next few days and totally love it!  

Shepherds and their sheep add to the charm of the scenery!
The stream alongside which we walked

Again, I cannot get warm enough and sleep just a couple of hours this night. I also seem to have a headache and slight nausea. Good Lord! These seem like symptoms of Altitude Sickness! I know I am fit enough and any sickness will be mild, but all trek days are long here. I should cope somehow and get over it!

Day 3 – Today we have to climb across Nichnai Pass at 13,000 ft to reach Vishansar Lake where our camp is. We start off at 7.30 am as usual and a bit later to my surprise, I find my heart pounding after I take just a few steps! This is something totally new to me and I am laughing because this feels funny and I wonder what is happening in my body!

A few more steps and I HAVE to stop, rest, catch my breath and walk again. My oxygen saturation is 90 % and I realize I have to take it easy, pace my walk, rest, and just keep walking as best as I can!

My trek mates are ahead and I realize I am lagging behind. But so what?! 😊

As I get used to this unusual ‘pounding of my heart’ I learn how to pace my walk, how to breath in deeply, and tell myself to be patient. I must allow my body to learn to get used to the altitude, and that takes some time.

I send positive thoughts of gratitude to my body and I rest whenever I need to, which is every few steps!!

I walk alone along the flowing stream… it is just me, my thoughts, the sound of flowing water… the wonderful mountains all around me…

I realize I must cover the distance step–by-step, breath–by–breath. That is all there is to it. It feels wonderful.

Yes, I am enjoying my first high-altitude trek!!

I reach the Pass an hour after my group does.

We descend now, and what a sight the descent presents!

Vast, green, rock-filled meadows filled with pretty flowers in the prettiest colours imaginable. The rocks all around are a contrast in shape, size and material to the tiny plants, yet they blend together so beautifully.

That evening, from the camp, it’s an exciting ‘hop’ over boulders on a fast flowing river to reach the first lake of our trip – Vishansar Lake! It is so peaceful there, the waters are a beautiful blue-green, the sky is a bright blue, the rays of the Sun striking off the surface on one end makes the scene amazing.

I am feeling a lot better by now. I sleep well this night, finally !

I know the next day is supposed to be the toughest. It is Gadsar Pass Day – ascent to 14,000 feet on narrow mountain-edge trails.  

I believe I am mentally ready for whatever this day has to offer.

Stay with me on the rest of my trek in my next post here!

Do fill out this very simple form to receive a mail notification from me whenever I publish a fresh post !!

https://www.theroadwelltaken.com/fresh-post-notification-2/embed/#?secret=UgNewXYICI#?secret=qOyV2gevdH

2 comments
0 Facebook Twitter Linkedin
Wellness

OUR POWER LIES IN WHAT WE CAN DO! – part 2

by Roopa
written by Roopa

There are some things we cannot change, cannot influence. These are not in our Personal Power Sphere. Energy, time and effort invested in this space will go a waste. We can make a difference only while working in the space where we CAN do something. This means accepting that everything is not in our control.

Yes! We can direct our time and energy to get the results we want, to be the kind of people we want to be, and influence what is in our control. We can use our Personal Power Sphere to empower ourselves and make a difference in various aspects of our lives.

And if we wish to stop the wars in the world, clean up the oceans, make the air fresh and crisp, we will still need to do what we CAN do within our Personal Power Sphere though these might seem like tiny steps given the magnitude of the issues.

What aspects are beyond our control?

Events happening around us – The world keeps changing, the scenarios across the world are different every day. We cannot control what’s happening out there. What we can do is in the sphere available to us.

The Past – By definition, past = “gone by in time and no longer existing”. Simply put, there is nothing that can be done about what happened in the past. Those events might disturb us, but any difference we can make can only be in our present actions.

Other people’s opinions, thoughts and actions – Everyone has their opinions and thoughts. People’s actions are based on many factors beyond our control. There is not much we can do about the way others think, behave and act ! We can however improve OUR own thoughts, behaviours and actions !

Future events, what is in store for us – We can do the best we CAN and hope that things turn out the way we want them to, but there’s no guarantee that all will be the way we want it to be! After all, who has seen the future? The results of our actions, whether desirable or undesirable, are not truly in our control.

All we can control is what we do in the present. That is where our Power lies.

Do fill out this very simple form to receive a mail notification from me whenever I publish a fresh post !!

https://www.theroadwelltaken.com/fresh-post-notification-2/embed/#?secret=XdTjVEo2x2#?secret=tBgoxjo6Oh

0 comment
0 Facebook Twitter Linkedin
Wellness

OUR POWER LIES IN WHAT WE CAN DO! – part 1

by Roopa
written by Roopa

Feel your power ! ‘CAN DO’ elements form our Personal Power Sphere, from where we can make a difference. We are in control of, have power over, and can influence many aspects of our lives though not all of them!

It would be wonderful if everything and everyone around us were nice and perfect! 😊

But it’s not in a perfect world that we live.

We are all concerned about a lot of things going on around us and wish things were different. Maybe the reports on global warming worry us, we’re disturbed by the hardships and poverty of people around the world, the pesticides in our food, the never-ending wars, rising unemployment, air pollution, inflation, an uncertain future etc.

If things do not happen, or are not the way we wish them to be, it’s easy to get upset, feel sad, angry, anxious, frustrated or disappointed.

We want to be able to change what we are uncomfortable with, what worries us. Our relationships, our present condition, our daily lives, the world… we might wish for some changes in all of these.

The fact is, there are many things in this world that we cannot directly control or influence. Our opinions and thoughts on most matters do not make much of a difference. 

It’s easy then to feel helpless, to feel like we are at someone else’s mercy.

Are we powerless?

Or is there a way that we can create the changes we wish to see?

We all have our ways of coping with feelings of helplessness and frustration. An effective way is to get into our active sphere where action counts more than thoughts.

That sphere where we can get the results that we want is Our Personal Power Sphere.

OUR POWER LIES IN WHAT WE CAN DO!

When we are sharply aware of WE CAN do, that is when we feel powerful. This is our Personal Power Sphere, where we feel empowered. We feel so good about the positivity that lies there because we realize what we can control.

Where does our power lie?

It lies in the areas we CAN control, we CAN influence, we CAN take action in and ensure that things are as close to how we want them to be.

Our Power lies in –

  • What we FOCUS ON
  • What we ACT ON
  • How we USE OUR TIME
  • How we KEEP OURSELVES ENGAGED
  • How we TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES
  • The extent to which we are GRATEFUL & FEEL BLESSED to be in this world
  • The extent to which we FIND JOY in the small and big things and are JOYFUL
  • How we INFLUENCE PEOPLE in positive ways
  • The small and big ways in which we HELP PEOPLE or touch their lives somehow
  • What VALUES we LIVE BY
  • Being MINDFUL, PRESENT, ACTIVE & USEFUL every single day
  • Being ENTHUSIASTIC IN LIFE – about life
  • How we RESPOND TO OUR EMOTIONS, THOUGHTS, FEELINGS & MEMORIES
  •  How we BEHAVE towards ourselves, others and in different situations
  • How we PUSH OURSELVES TO BE IN THE STATE we want to be in
  • How HARD we WORK to get what we want
  • How we MOTIVATE OURSELVES to get OUT OF LETHARGY & INACTION

Be aware of your power!!

Youthful Living is intensified by being aware of your Power.

It means to know what you are capable of, what you can do, to feel confident, to feel grateful for all that you have, to be in the knowledge that you are capable of influencing yourself and others in positive uplifting ways. To know that even if you cannot change the world, your simple steps in feeling your Power and empowering yourself, will make a difference to your life and may be to that of others.

It’s important to be aware of what we cannot influence as well! That’s in part 2 ! 🙂

Do fill out this very simple form to receive a mail notification from me whenever I publish a fresh post !!

https://www.theroadwelltaken.com/fresh-post-notification-2/embed/#?secret=XdTjVEo2x2#?secret=tBgoxjo6Oh
1 comment
0 Facebook Twitter Linkedin
Top Youthful Living TipsWellness

Strong, Flexible, Energetic and Youthful through Yoga Practice!!

by Roopa
written by Roopa

Yoga Practice helps one to stay Strong, Fit, Flexible, Energetic and Youthful !! Regular yoga practice keeps us youthful, vibrant, balanced and healthy in mind and body !

The calm, the flow, the absolute grounding and the experience of the present with every session of Yoga practice is something everyone needs to experience and enjoy as often as possible…. a couple of times a week at least !! 🙂

Today is International Yoga Day and Bomma is excited to share her thoughts on Yoga Practice !!

Benefits of doing Yoga :

 Not only do we get a good workout,

  • it improves our full body flexibility,
  • we enhance our ability to concentrate on, and be present in our actions,
  • one learns to really enjoy the deep breathing and breath control,
  • we are amazed at the awareness in our minds and
  • best of all, we want to experience more and come back again for the fantastic feeling after a session of Yoga practice! 🙂

Join online classes, do it with your friends or with a Yoga group or just enjoy the practice by yourself ! Start simple and easy and grow up with your practice !

Shri B K S Iyengar, one of the foremost yoga gurus puts across the connection between mind and body beautifully thus “balance in the body is the foundation for balance in life”. How simple and profound.

Our moods, our wellbeing – both physical and mental depends on how well we take care of ourselves. The practice of Yoga addresses both the physical and mental aspects. We become stronger, fitter and more flexible in both mind and body 🙂

Youthfulness is all about feeling good inside and out, feeling energetic, strong, calm and balanced in mind and body and being joyful as a habit.

Regular yoga practice, combined with other workout routines that we enjoy, is a great way to feel and keep ourselves youthful !

Here are some channels to practise with , no matter whether you are a beginner or a regular practitioner :

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHTisXO8TeozyYOxEZGC8XQ

https://www.youtube.com/c/bohobeautiful

https://www.youtube.com/c/BreatheandFlow

Happy Yoga Day 🙂

Do fill out this very simple form to receive a mail notification from me whenever I publish a fresh post !!

https://www.theroadwelltaken.com/fresh-post-notification-2/embed/#?secret=XdTjVEo2x2#?secret=tBgoxjo6Oh
10 comments
0 Facebook Twitter Linkedin
Earth ConnectionWellness

Gift Yourself Moments Of Joy Through the Day !!

by Roopa
written by Roopa

Everyday make sure to gift yourself a few moments with simple and natural things around you that make you smile !! :))

Indulging in Moments of Joy through the day will make it a beautiful and happy day.

Sometimes we think we need to experience something big and awesome to feel happy and high, but in reality, to be in the relaxed space to enjoy those occasional big things, it’s important to find moments of relaxation, smiles and joy in simple things around us on an everyday basis as well.

When we smile at the small things around us, a bird on a tree, a plant in the balcony, some flowers on a table, a puppy playing on the road, or anything in nature, it refreshes our mind and makes us relaxed.

Try it !!!

Find small Moments of Joy everyday!!

You recognise those moments by being watchful and observing what makes you smile 🙂

Anything can make you smile ! 🙂

It could be :

  • a baby in a pram on the road,
  • a hello and a nod exchanged with the guy at the coffee counter,
  • music from a road-side musician,
  • the sight of blue skies above you,
  • a picture or thoughts of beautiful mountains
  • a nicely presented healthy meal,
  • the fragrance of flowers at the florist,
  • the colour of the roses in bloom at the park,
  • children squealing with delight at the swing in the play area,
  • the texture of soft clothes on your body,
  • a brief teasing banter with your spouse,
  • a quick body stretch in the corridor
  • a few minutes of deep mindful breathing ..

Be aware of the times when you are feeling a bit stressed at work or at home and actively look out for what makes you smile and feel relaxed.

Grab these small moments throughout the day! They will add up and make you feel great!

Savour the small joys, smile, share and enjoy them with others as well! 🙂

What are your moments of Joy through the day?

Do share in the comments below!

3 comments
0 Facebook Twitter Linkedin
Top Youthful Living TipsWellness

Want to know how to stay Relaxed and Smiling?!

by Roopa
written by Roopa
Focus on the breath, be in the present !!

Deep Mindful Breathing keeps us calm, cool & smiling because an effective way to be in the present is to bring our focus to our breath.

If we sit for a few minutes a day quietly, allowing our thoughts to just pass on like clouds, while we do some deep, mindful breathing, staying aware of the breath, the inhale and the exhale, it can be a greatly relaxing, calming activity.

Our days demand a lot of thinking, decision-making, juggling between various essential activities, and things to do. We hardly give attention to the way we breathe. A few minutes of bringing our focus to our breath, enjoying the movement of air into and out of our lungs can bring instant calm and stillness in our minds.

It’s fine to do this activity as many times as we want to through the day.

Some of us may want to do this for a few minutes while some may want to stay with the breath for a bit longer. The result is a clearer, calmer mind that is in the present. Even a short while of breath awareness feels so good !!

When we stay in the present, we see things around us more clearly. We are able to think better, decide better in a calm way.

Do fill out this very simple form to receive a mail notification from me whenever I publish a fresh post !!

https://www.theroadwelltaken.com/fresh-post-notification-2/embed/#?secret=XdTjVEo2x2#?secret=tBgoxjo6Oh
0 comment
0 Facebook Twitter Linkedin
Top Youthful Living TipsWellness

Simple Top Youthful Living Secret Just For You!!

by Roopa
written by Roopa

If we want to be young and strong, we cannot afford to eat wrong !

There is a simple secret to looking young, feeling energetic and staying healthy ! Eat Right !!

Eating food only for its taste

May not be good for our waists !

Eat fresh, local & natural,

Always with delight & restraint,

Food that is nutrition-based!

To our looks and health,

A lot of difference this is sure to make! 🙂

– Bomma.

Choose from Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts, Grains, Lentils, Millets and Natural Oils at every meal!!

When we eat right, it shows, + we feel good inside.

We need not get into calorie counting and fuss about all that we must or mustn’t eat!

Simply and Consistently choose fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, lentils and millets – based foods cooked in small amounts of natural oils! It’s that simple.

Enjoy what you eat, give yourself a treat once in a while!

What we eat is how our body will be. Eat to look and feel youthful and be energetic !

Do fill out this very simple form to receive a mail notification from me whenever I publish a fresh post !!

https://www.theroadwelltaken.com/fresh-post-notification-2/embed/#?secret=XdTjVEo2x2#?secret=tBgoxjo6Oh
0 comment
0 Facebook Twitter Linkedin
Earth ConnectionTop Youthful Living Tips

Connecting with Nature in Simple Ways!!

by Roopa
written by Roopa

It’s an amazing feeling to be connected with nature in any way. The nature around us is what nurtures us – we are an integral part of nature. And there are many ways to get closer to nature. A stroll in a park with trees and flowers, a hike in the mountains, just being around a plant makes a positive difference to our mood because that is how we are supposed to be – close to our natural surroundings.

Being in touch with nature, greenery, plants and trees is great for our wellbeing. Grow a plant in a container, a pot, a discarded bottle even, and enjoy the feeling of watching it grow !! A tomato plant, some mint, aloe vera, sunflower, a creeper…grow anything !!

Gardening, in any form, is great for mental and physical health, a therapy that brings joy.

The very act of touching soil, touching the Earth is loaded with great vibrations.

Sow some seeds today !!

Do fill out this very simple form to receive a mail notification from me whenever I publish a fresh post !!

https://www.theroadwelltaken.com/fresh-post-notification-2/embed/#?secret=XdTjVEo2x2#?secret=tBgoxjo6Oh
1 comment
0 Facebook Twitter Linkedin
Top Youthful Living TipsWellness

How to look Youthful in an instant !!!

by Roopa
written by Roopa

“As you grow older…

To avoid saying ‘Ouch, ouch ☹’

Remember – Don’t Slouch!!”

– Bomma.

Sit tall, and stand tall (even if you aren’t tall really!)

Neck long, spine straight, shoulder relaxed, chest up, core together.

Feel energetic and confident instantly.

Slouching makes one look older, it’s not youthful. Nor healthful.

Posture is important for the proper mechanics of your body, so be aware of it.

Correct your posture frequently.  

Exercise and stretch – chest, back and core muscles.

Do fill out this very simple form to receive a mail notification from me whenever I publish a fresh post !!

https://www.theroadwelltaken.com/fresh-post-notification-2/embed/#?secret=XdTjVEo2x2#?secret=tBgoxjo6Oh
0 comment
0 Facebook Twitter Linkedin
Introduction - What this Blog is About !

Being youthful and energetic is a choice !!

by Roopa
written by Roopa

To be youthful, energetic, and to enjoy life in the ways we like best ! Yes, to be this way is a choice we can make! It’s what we ALL want !!

We want to be able to feel alive, enjoy the wonder that is life, look good, feel good, feel strong, feel loved, be able to travel, read, write, dance and jump when we feel like !

Longevity is desirable but maintaining vitality, having energy to do the things you want to do through the years that you live is something that can be achieved through the choices we make !

As we get older, we have to accept certain changes in our bodies and minds. But the basic principles of happiness and wellbeing remain pretty much the same!

Through my blog, I wish to explore the different aspects of wellbeing and health that will empower anyone to look good, be energetic and feel young!

Hi there !! Come with me !! 🙂

Bomma, my doll, will speak to you !!

Do fill out this very simple form to receive a mail notification from me whenever I publish a fresh post !!

https://www.theroadwelltaken.com/fresh-post-notification-2/embed/#?secret=XdTjVEo2x2#?secret=tBgoxjo6Oh
4 comments
0 Facebook Twitter Linkedin
Newer Posts
Older Posts