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Ten-year-old Reyansh Surani is more likely to be found on a yoga retreat than in the local park kicking a soccer ball around.
Reyansh is the world’s youngest certified yoga instructor, having qualified in July 2021 at nine years of age and after 220 days.
The little yogi, who lives in Dubai, but is originally from India, started practising yoga at the age of four after watching his parents do the exercise.
His journey to becoming an instructor began when he joined his parents on a yoga training course.
“I decided to join them, and surprisingly, I found out I enjoy teaching as well,” Reyansh said.
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The month-long training course in Rishikesh, India, brought about a bit of a culture shock for Reyansh, who was accustomed to the luxury of his family's home in Dubai.
“It was different! The first time I came to know we were going [to Rishikesh], I was curious to live a rural life. I saw that side of the world for the first time - a place with such spiritual grip,” he told Guinness World Records.
With no internet access or air-conditioning, Reyansh quickly adapted to his new surroundings and embraced the humble lifestyle, which he says had him feeling very close to nature.
His rigorous 200-hour training schedule gave the yogi little time to relax. His day would start at 6.30am and only ended 12 hours later.
"I used to think yoga was only about physical posture and breathing, but it’s much more than that. I learnt alignment, anatomic philosophy and the nutritional facts of Ayurveda [the art of healing]. It’s an intense course,” he said.
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Now back home in Dubai, Reyansh teaches yoga to his classmates in small groups of 10 to 15 people per session.
His favourite aspect of teaching yoga is the satisfaction and sense of accomplishment that it brings him.
“I’m happy I can pass on my experience and knowledge to individuals around the world for their wellbeing,” he said.
He one day hopes to host virtual reality yoga lessons, which he thinks will be fun.
For those looking to start yoga, he has one simple tip - stick with it.
“Yoga is fun and not boring, I promise! After the initial push, you’ll really start enjoying it.”
Sources: guinnessworldrecords.com, instagram.com
