Like many raised in rural Indian villages, my path was chosen before I fully understood who I was. I followed the expectations of my family and pursued a degree in engineering. It wasn’t my passion, but it was the accepted road. After graduation, I landed a corporate job in coastal Goa—a beautiful region, and my very first experience living away from my village.

For a time, I believed I was set for life. I imagined a future climbing the corporate ladder, living for the weekend, traveling, and partying. But as time went on, life brought unexpected physical imbalances and health challenges. By the time the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I found myself sitting in isolation questioning my entire life: Am I really going to spend the rest of my days in a 9-to-5 job, waiting for the weekend to feel happy?

This emptiness led me to search online for ways to fund a traveling lifestyle, introducing me to graphic design, video editing, and digital marketing. For the first time, my laptop was a tool for creation rather than distraction.

Akhilesh Gowda meditating in front of the massive black stone Adiyogi Shiva statue at the Isha Foundation in Coimbatore

🏛️ The Transition: From Interior Design to Mysore

Eventually, family circumstances required me to return to a traditional job. I joined an interior design firm in the cultural city of Mysore—renowned globally as the Ashtanga yoga capital. At the time, I had no idea why people from all over the world flocked to this city. You can explore the historical background of this city in our Mysore Slow Living & Heritage Guide.

A traditional side street in Mysore featuring heritage houses and street lamps with the illuminated Mysore Palace in the background during golden hour

The feeling of empty routine returned, and I made the decision to quit my job to freelance full-time. I began building funnels and editing videos for creators. The path was challenging; I took low-paying projects just to cover basic living expenses, constantly searching for clarity.

Following a period of intense work and physical exhaustion, my health took a major downturn. I realized I needed a complete physical and mental break. I began searching for a spiritual ashram where I could volunteer my skills in exchange for a quiet environment to heal.

🧘 Finding the Ashram: The Awakening of Sadhana

While I originally planned to head north to Rishikesh, a connection led me to a quiet traditional ashram in Mysore. Within five days, I packed my bags and arrived. My plan was to stay for a single month. Instead, I stayed for seven.

Living at the ashram completely changed my lifestyle:

  • Dietary Shift: I transitioned from a non-vegetarian diet to eating clean, plant-based meals.
  • Circadian Reset: My sleeping patterns adjusted to natural sunrise and sunset cues, helping to settle my nervous system.
  • Daily Practice: I established a regular Hatha and Ashtanga yoga practice, attended philosophy classes, and helped manage the ashram’s social media and website.

Surrounded by spiritual seekers from all over the world, I began observing my life with new eyes. I realized that the physical fatigue and confusion I experienced during my corporate years were signs of a nervous system out of balance. To help other travelers navigate similar transits, I later compiled these recovery practices into a comprehensive Quiet Yoga Retreats in India Guide and a dedicated Vata-Pacifying Breathwork Guide.

⛵ The Path Forward: Merging Code and Consciousness

Leaving the ashram was difficult, but it gave me the space to reflect on my diverse experiences. I realized that my background in engineering, graphic design, and marketing wasn’t a distraction—it was a unique toolset.

I decided to focus my marketing and funnel automation skills specifically on the health and wellness niche. Shortly after, I met someone deeply rooted in traditional yoga lineages. Together, we traveled to sacred places in South India—including Tiruvannamalai, the Matrimandir in Auroville, and Varanasi—to study traditional teachings firsthand.

Today, we are co-founding a Yoga School in Mysore. This project allows me to deepen my own spiritual practice while helping other yoga teachers automate their online classes and workshops.

My family and relatives initially struggled to understand my choice to leave a stable corporate engineering path. However, I am finally doing what I love: practicing yoga, exploring spirituality, and helping wellness teachers share their work with the world. I now understand that every step of my journey—even the periods of confusion—was preparing me for this path.

📚 References

  1. Cultural Heritage: Mysore Palace Administration, Karnataka Tourism Records (2025).
  2. Somatic Context: Nervous System Reset: A 7-Day Somatic Travel Guide & Workbook by Akhi (2026).
  3. Traditional Yoga Reference: Saraswathi Jois (2010). Ashtanga Yoga: The Essential Guide to Yoga Philosophy.