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7. Celebrating the Doyenne: Namita Piparaiya

“For most of history, Anonymous was a woman.” ~ Virginia Woolf. On this International Women's Day, GlobalSpa recognizes and celebrates the women in the industry as we delve into their success mantra they follow, mistakes that have helped them grow, and of course, their WELLNESS philosophy.

Namita Piparaiya is a Yoga and Ayurveda Lifestyle Specialist and the founder of Yoganama. A former corporate executive, she spent over a decade, from management trainee to business head, with leading MNCs including Citibank, Aviva, and Generali before finding her true calling in Yoga.

What is your wellness philosophy?

I strongly advise moderation–it’s a very effective way to stay physically and mentally healthy. But moderation is easier said than done, as we like to live in extremes; that’s where Yoga and Ayurveda can help us. Yoga helps us develop self-control and become more mindful. And infusing Ayurveda principles can help us understand the strengths and weaknesses of our inherent nature to better navigate our everyday life. That’s why Yoga, Ayurveda, and a solid philosophy that we identify with can transform our wellness journey. For this very reason, these three form the core pillars of Yoganama.

Your success mantra?

I strongly believe in the process of goal setting. I think that having clearly defined goals is absolutely essential to moving ahead in life. I like to set my goals for the year, for the months ahead, and even for the day. I start each morning by noting down the tasks I’d like to achieve in a journal. It makes the days structured, and while I may or may not accomplish everything, I’m certainly more productive. Goals also improve efficiency, giving us more time to unwind and relax–activities that are equally important for success.

A lesson you learned from making a mistake?

Looking back, I think I was very rigid when I started Yoganama. Along with a great passion for an idea or subject, also comes frustration at views that are different from yours. When you’re strongly invested, it can be harder to change your course or vision. My biggest learning has been to listen to others. For a business to be wholesome, it needs more ideas, and it needs to be looked at from different perspectives. We do not need to take all the advice that we receive, but it does not hurt to absorb it. The more we listen, the more we learn, the more we grow, and the fewer mistakes we will make.

Any piece of advice for all the women out there?

Women in general face significant judgment, restrictions, and criticism. Women in business even more so. It’s important to not let all that weighs you down. Trust your instincts – as a woman you’ll be questioned, judged, and you’re likely to be scrutinised more. Be prepared, resilient, stay true to yourself, and be uninhibited in the pursuit of life. Also, wherever possible, support other women who are doing good work that you appreciate. It is a tough world and every bit of support, from any quarter, counts.

What has been your biggest pride?

Every day is a source of pride when I see my students progress in their journey, feeling better, healthier, and calmer. That said, if I look at some of the milestones over the past few years, one of the biggest achievements would be my transition from offline to online yoga during the pandemic. It was challenging to watch all the effort in building my practice get impacted thanks to lockdowns. But I managed to transition Yoganama entirely online, and it has been very satisfying. Today, I can connect with and influence students around the world, something I might not have done as easily if I had not been forced to adapt.