On every International Yoga Day, my thoughts return to Ludhiana—not to its bustling markets or factories, but to the quiet mornings of my childhood when my father, a devoted yogacharya, introduced me to this discipline.
Father's Legacy of Yoga
For my father, yoga was not about perfect asanas or public display; it was a way of life, founded on balance, self-discipline, and inner peace. Under his gentle guidance, I learned that yoga meant victory over one's restless mind.
Those lessons stayed with me. For over four decades, yoga has been an inseparable part of my daily routine. No matter where life or my journalism career took me toward entrepreneurship, yoga travelled with me like an old friend—steady, reassuring, and transformative.
Ludhiana's Softer Side
Ludhiana, my hometown, is known for its industrious spirit, enterprise, ambition, and hard work. Yet, behind this pace lies another identity: along Rakh Bagh, Civil Lines, the Sutlej banks, and local parks, people gather at dawn not to make deals but to stretch, breathe, and be. For moments, the industrial capital of Punjab exchanges its fast rhythm for mindful silence. This softer side deserves equal celebration.
I see yoga not just as a habit but as an inheritance passed down from father to son and shared with the community. If Ludhiana taught me hard work, my father taught me the wisdom of balancing it with stillness. Between those lessons lies the secret to a meaningful life.
A Personal Reflection
Dinesh Sood, a journalist and entrepreneur, reflects on his father's influence and the hidden yoga culture of Ludhiana. He invites readers to share their own city stories with shaharnama@tribunemail.com.
