<p>What happens when hotshot Delhi-based intellectual property rights lawyer, Dahlia Sen Oberoi, leaves her humdrum life to live in a South Indian ashram for a month? She gets "Ashramed!" From realising that her designer brands and city lifestyle count for nothing in her new environs to adjusting to the rigours of a yoga-teacher-in training's arduous regime, Oberoi's debut book, <em>Ashramed: From Chaos to Calm (</em>Hachette India) is a rollicking account of her transformation. On World Yoga Day, we spoke to Oberoi to find out more about her journey of yogic self-discovery. </p>.<p><strong>Did your quest for self-discovery find fruition by learning to be a yoga teacher?</strong></p>.<p>I have practised yoga on and off and loved the positive changes it brought to my body and mind. I wanted to go deeper into it by learning the philosophy behind it. I told myself I wanted to do it to teach others, but I know now that it was meant to be. I was ready to receive, and so I set out to learn. </p>.<p><strong>Were you "Ashramed" into a new lifestyle as you had hoped?</strong></p>.<p>Oh, yes. I was schooled, renewed and transformed. I went in with zero expectations but an open mind and the conviction to learn. I came out with a new identity, and the good thing is that this new identity is not transient; it is here to stay. Being 'Ashramed' is about letting go of the old, adopting the new and finding myself again. </p>.<p><strong>Was it intimidating to take on this journey of self-discovery in your 50s? </strong></p>.<p>At each age, something or the other intimidates us. Our ability to take chances reduces with age as we find comfort in the familiar. That is why I try to keep the child inside alive by always looking to do something new. The day one gets complacent is the day one gets old. So, I am all for pushing limits, breaking moulds and not being caged in by age, gender and situation. It is intimidating, but it is challenging too. </p>.<p><strong>How does a city person survive a month of minimalist living?</strong></p>.<p>We are tougher than we give ourselves credit for. There are so many things I thought I could never do, but I adapted. I have always loved to challenge myself and try things that are outside my zone of comfort. It all boils down to giving ourselves a chance.</p>.<p><strong>Do you think the isolation prepared you to handle the pandemic better than most of us?</strong></p>.<p>Yes, it did. Self-isolation helped me face the giant lockdown of the pandemic. The calm and the balance kept me sane. I also started teaching yoga almost immediately. It made me relearn my lessons physically, emotionally and spiritually and helped me help others. </p>
<p>What happens when hotshot Delhi-based intellectual property rights lawyer, Dahlia Sen Oberoi, leaves her humdrum life to live in a South Indian ashram for a month? She gets "Ashramed!" From realising that her designer brands and city lifestyle count for nothing in her new environs to adjusting to the rigours of a yoga-teacher-in training's arduous regime, Oberoi's debut book, <em>Ashramed: From Chaos to Calm (</em>Hachette India) is a rollicking account of her transformation. On World Yoga Day, we spoke to Oberoi to find out more about her journey of yogic self-discovery. </p>.<p><strong>Did your quest for self-discovery find fruition by learning to be a yoga teacher?</strong></p>.<p>I have practised yoga on and off and loved the positive changes it brought to my body and mind. I wanted to go deeper into it by learning the philosophy behind it. I told myself I wanted to do it to teach others, but I know now that it was meant to be. I was ready to receive, and so I set out to learn. </p>.<p><strong>Were you "Ashramed" into a new lifestyle as you had hoped?</strong></p>.<p>Oh, yes. I was schooled, renewed and transformed. I went in with zero expectations but an open mind and the conviction to learn. I came out with a new identity, and the good thing is that this new identity is not transient; it is here to stay. Being 'Ashramed' is about letting go of the old, adopting the new and finding myself again. </p>.<p><strong>Was it intimidating to take on this journey of self-discovery in your 50s? </strong></p>.<p>At each age, something or the other intimidates us. Our ability to take chances reduces with age as we find comfort in the familiar. That is why I try to keep the child inside alive by always looking to do something new. The day one gets complacent is the day one gets old. So, I am all for pushing limits, breaking moulds and not being caged in by age, gender and situation. It is intimidating, but it is challenging too. </p>.<p><strong>How does a city person survive a month of minimalist living?</strong></p>.<p>We are tougher than we give ourselves credit for. There are so many things I thought I could never do, but I adapted. I have always loved to challenge myself and try things that are outside my zone of comfort. It all boils down to giving ourselves a chance.</p>.<p><strong>Do you think the isolation prepared you to handle the pandemic better than most of us?</strong></p>.<p>Yes, it did. Self-isolation helped me face the giant lockdown of the pandemic. The calm and the balance kept me sane. I also started teaching yoga almost immediately. It made me relearn my lessons physically, emotionally and spiritually and helped me help others. </p>