About.

Ben Kalra (he/him) is a Yoga teacher based in Charlotte, North Carolina. He’s taught over 3,000 hours of classes and workshops, and trained over 1,000 hours in-person with his teachers. He’s a certified Katonah Yoga® teacher and remains in mentorship with Abbie Galvin and teachers at The Studio in New York City. He completed a 300 hour advanced training with Shivakali Yoga in the lineages of Classical Hatha Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Tibetan Buddhism. He’s also completed trainings in Adaptive Yoga, Awakening Yoga, and Functional Range Conditioning. Ben is committed to his personal practice and self-study of the sacred texts including the Yoga Sutras, Bhagavad Gita, and Upanishads.

While Ben takes Yoga very seriously, he also approaches it with a light heart and believes the best dharma talks leave room for a bad joke. It’s necessary to find joy in our practice, because that’s what keeps us returning to the mat. Ben views Yoga as a slow-burning liberation practice that guides us toward our innermost Self. The path is simple: Practice. It’s less about what our practice aesthetically looks like, and more about our devotion to that practice. Ben’s favorite Yoga Sutra is 1.12 which says “the state of Yoga can be attained through practice and non-attachment.” We practice because it’s our nature to do so, and we release any expectations. This will slowly guide us to liberation. 

His teaching is guided the bigger picture of Yoga; backbends are functional because they open the frame for the lungs. Forward bends are effective because they create space for the kidneys - especially with a bend in the knees and a good hinge at the hips. Twists are helpful for the liver and intestines - especially when we stabilize the pelvis and lengthen the spine. Props and adjustments can offer scaffolding and perspective. In his personal practice and during private lessons, Ben uses an assembly of blocks, blankets, straps, and chairs.

At the end of the day, Ben simply teaches Yoga for the love of it, and is greatly fascinated by all forms of physical movement and spiritual tradition. It can be easy to get discouraged on the path because social media often bombards us with Yogis who are more skilled, flexible, or knowledgeable than us. It’s important to remember that Yoga is an internal experience, and any amount of practice goes a long way. As the Bhagavad Gita says, “On this path effort never goes to waste, and there is no failure. Even a little effort toward spiritual awareness will protect you from the greatest fear.” (2.40)

When the mat is rolled up, Ben enjoys photography, baking, and poetry. He enjoys traveling the world to teach, study, and practice with Yogis of many different backgrounds and cultures. If you’re a studio that wants to host him for a weekend immersion, or if you just want to say hi, email Ben here!

Thanks for reading. Have a blessed day. Hari Om.