Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Nutan Sanghani 

Nutan Sanghani, BA (Sanskrit Literature), AAS Exercise Science, PT, RYS200

• Email: nutan.sanghani@pcc.edu

• Office Hours: Only by appointment, please email to set-up an appointment.

My path to yoga, wellness, and Ayurveda started in my teenage years. I wanted to learn about Ayurveda and Yoga, and since Sanskrit, the ancient Indian language, is closely related to these disciplines, I chose to graduate in Sanskrit from India. After graduation, I got married and moved to Bangalore, India, when my husband secured a job there. We have one son, Rudra.

In 2014, I participated in a Sudarshan Kriya at Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's center in Bangalore, India. Sudarshan Kriya (SKY) is a breathing technique developed by Indian spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, consisting of a series of rhythmic breathing exercises aimed at enhancing physical, mental, and emotional well-being. At that time, I was also attending yoga classes to learn various sequences and studying health-related yoga as part of the program.

After relocating to the USA in 2016, I faced challenges with English and enrolled in an ESOL course. Upon obtaining my ESOL certificate, I began volunteering to teach yoga classes. Recognizing a gap in my knowledge of human anatomy and biology, I enrolled in Exercise Science and Yoga Teacher Certificate courses at Portland Community College (PCC).

While continuing to volunteer as a yoga instructor, I completed an internship for my yoga teacher certificate at the Cascade campus, teaching yoga to the basketball team. Subsequently, I was offered a position as a "Mind/Body Wellness Coach" by the team's coach.

Currently, I teach Yoga I/II/III (PE-182K) and yoga for the women's basketball team. In these classes, along with Yoga Poses, Sun Salutation, Moon Salutation, Pranayama (Breathing Technique), and Meditation, and  I also focus on teaching Sanskrit Mantras, Seven Chakras, Mudras (hand gestures), and Five Fingers Elements, which are integral components of holistic yoga and meditation traditions, each contributing to overall well-being and spiritual growth. I share my knowledge and passion for healthy living through mindfulness practices, movement, and community.

Sanskrit mantras, when chanted, can help reduce stress, improve concentration, and foster inner peace. The Seven Chakras system is believed to balance energy centers in the body, potentially enhancing overall well-being. Mudras, or hand gestures, are thought to influence energy flow, sharpen focus, and promote specific health benefits.

In this holistic approach, each finger is associated with one of the Five Elements, and specific mudras are believed to balance these elements within the body. Yoga poses (asanas) improve flexibility, strength, and posture while benefiting joint and cardiovascular health. Sequences like Surya Namaskar can enhance cardiovascular function, strengthen muscles, and increase flexibility. Pranayama techniques improve lung capacity, reduce stress, and contribute to overall well-being. Regular meditation practice can alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression while enhancing focus and emotional balance.

I'm so glad that you're interested in the origins and practice of yoga. They are deeply rooted in ancient Indian traditions. The systematic practice of yoga as we know it today developed over thousands of years, with significant advancements occurring during the classical period (500 BCE to 800 CE).