Meet Devendra Narayandas Bajaj | Technologist & Breathworker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Devendra Narayandas Bajaj and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Devendra, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?

I started teaching breathwork after I completed my 200-hour Yoga teacher training in 2016. At the time, I had a dream job, a comfortable income and a happy marriage. On the surface, everything seemed perfect. However, deep down, I felt an undeniable sense of emptiness.

For years, I had unknowingly been suppressing my emotions and it took a toll on my mental and physical health. My wife encouraged me to try yoga, which I started practicing with a lot of hesitation. I still remember my first class and being the only man in a classroom full of women.

As I embarked on this journey, something magical happened – I fell in love with the practice. Not only did yoga and breathwork provide me with the tools to navigate life’s challenges, but they also allowed me to connect with others in ways I had never imagined.

Driven by a newfound passion and practices that had transformed my own life, I began sharing these teachings with my community in southern Indiana. What started as small workshops at local yoga studios quickly gained popularity as more people experienced the transformative power of breathwork. Weekends were now dedicated to traveling far and wide to teach these workshops to individuals hungry for healing and connection.

But then came the unexpected turn – the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020. It was no longer possible for us to gather physically or travel freely. I knew I had to adapt and find a new way to serve my community.

And so, the idea of TheBreathClass was born – a weekly, online group breathwork class that brought people together not only from my local community but from all over the world. Through this virtual platform, individuals could participate and experience the profound benefits of breathwork from the comfort of their homes.

The transition to online classes was not without its challenges, but it opened up new doors for me. TheBreathClass became a sanctuary for those seeking solace, healing, and connection. It provided me with a renewed sense of purpose and allowed me to serve an even larger community than before.

Starting my own business was never part of the plan. However, through following my passion for breathwork, personally benefitting from it and listening to the needs of my community, it became clear that building a lifestyle business centered around breathwork was not only fulfilling but essential. Proper breathing is essential for life and is an underrated aspect of health and fitness training.

As I reflect upon my thought process behind starting my own business, it becomes evident that it wasn’t solely driven by financial gain or personal ambition. Instead, it stemmed from a deep desire to share something transformative with others – something that had positively impacted my life in immeasurable ways.

What should our readers know about your business?

My lifestyle and wellness business is called Cultivate Prana (Prana is a Sanskrit term meaning “life energy”). My mission is to empower people with the knowledge and tools to master their breathing through many ancient and modern breathing techniques, which are collectively called breathwork. 

Breathwork is an incredibly powerful tool for gaining insight into how our breathing regulates our thoughts, emotions and body down to the cellular level. Learning and incorporating breathwork into our existing health habits can have significant positive impacts on our overall wellbeing.

By combining Eastern wisdom and Western science, I have developed a unique approach to teaching breathwork through workshops, retreats, one-on-one coaching and online classes. I am passionate about helping people experience the power of conscious breathing.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
First and foremost, I would invite you to take a yoga class at one of the many local yoga studios, my favorites are Evansville Power Yoga, N2Yoga and the Yoga Space. Then have breakfast at Nellie’s, a family owned restaurant located in Newburgh, Indiana. Located within 5 mins distance from there is Newburgh downtown with small shops, restaurants and a lovely riverwalk. In the afternoon, you can have lunch at Cafe Arazu or Azzip pizza. If you visit Southern Indiana during Fall, do check out the Fall festival. The Victory theater and Ford center brings in great musicians and artists throughout the year. Watch a baseball game at the Bosse field or visit one of the several museums and state parks. Also, located two hours away is Mammoth Cave National Park, home to the longest cave system in the world.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

It was my wife who had changed my life’s trajectory when she took me to my first yoga class. She not only supported me in pursuing my passion for teaching breathwork but also made sacrifices by taking care of our children while I traveled on weekends to share this practice with others.

Along the way, I had encountered extraordinary teachers who continue to guide me on this path of self-discovery. Mark Goltiao from Evansville Power Yoga, under whom I completed my yoga teacher training. His compassion and guidance helped me heal old wounds.

Linda Oshins from Columbus, Ohio whose Pranayama training awakened within me a deep understanding of the breathwork’s transformative power of breath.

Swamis Ayyappa Giri and Prema Jyoti from Yogini Ashram in Los Angeles who truly opened the doors to spiritual realms beyond anything I could have ever imagined. Their wisdom led me to my divine guru, Mahavatar Kriya Babaji, who continues to be a guiding light on my spiritual path.

I am forever grateful for the teachings and blessings bestowed upon me by these incredible teachers. Each encounter has been a stepping stone towards deeper self-awareness and connection with the divine.

As I reflect on my journey, I cannot emphasize enough the influence of my mother, who sowed the seed of devotion within me from an early age. Her unwavering faith in the power of Bhakti yoga has been a constant source of inspiration throughout my life. It was through her that I first learned about devotion and surrendering to something greater than myself.

Website: https://www.cultivateprana.com/ & https://thebreathclass.com/

Instagram: @cultivateprana

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CultivatePrana

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMALEMIEZswECpGypRhRcZw