#104 - Kyrgyzstan's Yoga Renaissance - Yoga in Kyrgyzstan with Roman Chernousov

Welcome to Episode #104 of the Wild Yoga Tribe Podcast! My conversation with Roman Chernousov, a yoga teacher from Kyrgyzstan, was fascinating as we took a deep dive into the history of yoga in Kyrgyzstan and how it was illegal because of how the government knew that it was such a powerful practice. Trust me, this story sounded like a movie!  We also talked about Roman’s travels to Tibet and how he studied not just yoga but Kung Fu and Qi Gong as well. I hope that this conversation surprised you, delighted you, and made you more curious about yoga in Kyrgyzstan.

So if you’re looking to tune into a podcast episode that is all about yoga in Kyrgyzstan then this is the conversation for you.

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Tell me more about Roman Chernousov

Roman Chernousov, yoga teacher from Kyrgyzstan followed a diverse athletic background in childhood and young adulthood, including wrestling and wushu. However, Roman found solace and healing in yoga and qigong after a serious illness in 1998. His extensive training, ranging from traditional Tibetan practices in Northern Tibet to courses in India and St. Petersburg, led him to develop the YogaMix system. Since 2007, Roman has been passionately imparting his knowledge, conducting yoga retreats, and shaping future yoga teachers through comprehensive courses, viewing yoga not merely as a profession but as a cherished lifestyle and a continuous path of self-development.

What to expect in the Yoga In Kyrgyzstan episode of the Wild Yoga Tribe Podcast

Discover the rich tapestry of yoga in Kyrgyzstan through the eyes and experiences of Roman Chernousov, a yoga teacher from Kyrgyzstan.

Roman's connection with yoga began at the age of five when his father, defying the ban on yoga in the '70s and '80s, introduced him to the practice using books. These clandestine teachings revealed a world of asanas and breathing techniques, setting the foundation for Roman's lifelong relationship with yoga.

Growing up with a passion for wrestling and Kung Fu, Roman found strength, discipline, and resilience in these pursuits. He emphasizes how these disciplines shaped his character, instilling in him the importance of daily practice, a lesson he later passed on to his yoga students.

Roman's yoga journey took a profound turn after a severe illness in 1998. Facing physical traumas from martial arts, he turned to yoga and Qigong for recovery. Undeterred by the initial challenges, Roman's daily practice gradually restored strength, leading him to develop the Yoga Mix System—an amalgamation of various yoga styles and influences.

Over the years, the yoga community in Kyrgyzstan has flourished. From a mere handful of practitioners, there are now over 200 yoga teachers in the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, alone. Roman's dedication to teaching and the growing interest in yoga reflect a remarkable transformation of yoga in Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyzstan, once shrouded in secrecy, is now a thriving hub for yoga practitioners, fostering growth, healing, and unity.

For the skimmers - What’s in the yoga in Kyrgyzstan episode?

• The story of how yoga was illegal in Kyrgyzstan
• What is the YogaMix system?
• Influences of Wrestling, QiGong, and Kung Fu
• The underground era of yoga in Kyrgyzstan and the rise of yoga in Kyrgyzstan 
• Yoga as a Healing Journey

Connect with Roman Chernousov

https://instagram.com/yoga_ro_om

Want more? Head on over to my website