Founder of a Yogshala, Yoga Guru Gopal has trained thousands of students in yoga and alternative therapies over 25 years and expanded his institution to seven branches, earning a reputation for excellence in disciplines like Reiki, naturopathy, and acupressure.

Yoga Guru Gopal, a Yoga Teacher and the Founder of Pragya Yogshala in Gurugram, has been transforming lives with his dedication to Yoga and Alternative Therapies for over 25 years. Today, he is known for his expertise in disciplines like Reiki, Naturopathy, and Acupressure, offering therapies that are widely regarded as some of the best in the region.

Pragya Yogshala has become a hub for holistic wellness, offering not only yoga but also alternative therapies like Reiki, Naturopathy, and Acupressure. Gopal takes immense pride in his work, particularly the positive feedback from his students who find peace, balance, and physical well-being through his teachings. For Gopal, these testimonials of satisfaction and transformation are his greatest achievements.

Guru Gopal’s Journey with yoga started when he was in his sixth-grade, when he suffered from a painful condition that caused his neck to twist, resulting in discomfort throughout his body. His life took a turn when a school teacher introduced him to free yoga classes organized at the school. Initially, Gopal attended these classes out of curiosity, but soon he noticed a significant improvement in his stiff neck problem. This relief sparked his interest, and he became a regular yoga practitioner. Yoga not only alleviated his physical discomfort but also became a source of inner strength and inspiration for him.

Born into a family that faced financial hardships, Gopal had to juggle studies and work to support his family. Despite these challenges, he stayed committed to yoga, attending classes after school. At the young age of 14, he began teaching yoga to others in his class. Encouraged by two of his friends who also later became professional yoga teachers, Gopal decided to delve deeper into the field of yoga.

Guru Gopal recalls two significant incidents during his early yoga training that shaped his approach to the discipline. In one instance, he refused to perform a challenging asana during a class with his Guru, considering it too painful. In response, his Guru asked Gopal’s friend to assign a symbolic punishment to instill discipline and determination. From that day, Gopal resolved to overcome his fear of difficult poses, and eventually, mastering challenging asanas became his forte. In another incident, his Guru instructed him and his friend to jump from the second floor as part of a training exercise to build courage and physical strength. Gopal, along with his friend, took the leap, an experience that left a lasting impression on his outlook toward life and yoga.

After completing his schooling, Gopal pursued formal education in Yoga and earned a Post-Graduate Diploma from the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) in New Delhi. He also holds an M.Sc. in Physics and a B.Ed. degree.

He used to offer free yoga classes in public parks, but his efforts met resistance from locals who opposed his initiative. Forced to stop teaching in parks, Gopal persevered and eventually founded Pragya Yogshala, a yoga institution in Gurugram. Initially, when he offered free sessions, attendance was sparse as people doubted his intentions.

However, when he introduced a modest fee of ₹500, the number of attendees increased rapidly. Word-of-mouth publicity by his satisfied students played a pivotal role in the success of Pragya Yogshala, which now boasts seven branches across Gurugram and operates throughout the year.

Yoga Guru Gopal credits his guru, Sumit Sharma, and yoga pioneer Baba Ramdev as his role models. Inspired by their teachings and philosophies, he emphasizes the importance of discipline, mindfulness, and self-improvement.

In moments of stress or anxiety, Guru Gopal turns to meditation and the wisdom he has acquired over years of practice to regain composure. He often reflects on his life mantra, “Everything is happening on its own,” a line that brings him calm and peace.

He also finds motivation in the Bhagavad Gita’s philosophy that yoga is about performing one’s work efficiently and with dedication.