I rushed out of the study hall and stuck my head outside the window, gasping for breath. I felt absolutely unprepared for the exam that was to happen the following day, and I could barely breathe. This was my first semester in college and most of my life that preceded it.

I couldn't understand why an exam was such a big deal, but somehow, my body would do its own thing and freak out.

And if someone told me that the very next year, I'd be someone who would sing loudly on the terrace at night, four hours before an exam, and stop to have a cup of tea before entering the hall,

Someone who'd dance on an escalator because it was taking too long and the music was catchy,

Someone who would share a warm smile with a stranger because our eyes happened to meet,

I'd never believe it. But this is what Inner Engineering did for me.

If my life was a party, I had been sitting on the bar stool feeling shy, a wallflower. And Inner Engineering took my hand and threw me onto the dance floor.

Can't stop this jive now; the bar stool has been engulfed by the crowd.

I will dance till the music stops.

And sincerely hope that, if you're reading this, you'll join me in a quick shuffle, too.

For a long time, I had been interested in self-improvement. I had watched videos, read books, and listened to podcasts, but after some years, I realized that it took me nowhere. Though I had some positive experiences practicing mindfulness meditation, I never stuck to it for longer than a few months. So, I decided to stop taking in new things and put things in perspective.

Nevertheless, there was this urge to grow and be the best version of myself. It was at this juncture that I stumbled across an interview of Sadhguru where he spoke about a human's potential and the inability of many people to control their body and mind. His words contained the promise that one could gain mastery over them. So, I took a deep dive into his YouTube channel. Sadhguru's logic and clarity soon had me hooked and made me hungry to take the next step.

When Sadhguru offered Inner Engineering Online for free on Diwali 2019, I decided to give it a shot. During a guided meditation, I had an electrifying experience - intense and unlike anything I had experienced before. I wanted to go deeper and sought the next possible date to do Inner Engineering Completion. This experience was even better – one of unimaginable sweetness.

Inner Engineering has been life-changing. It has added a new sense of calm and composure to my life. I have become more resilient to stress and feel more at ease. Realizing that I am totally responsible for my experience of life is both liberating and empowering.

I grew up in Russia and have loved to draw, paint, and create since I was a child. The intensity of the beauty around me has always prompted a mysterious longing and many questions about life. What is it? Who are we? Why are we here? At times, these questions were unbearable, and I couldn't find answers.

And finally, after 25 years, I found the Yogi, the Mystic – Sadhguru. No lightning struck, no fireworks exploded – it started as computer ads, which I ignored many times until finally, I reluctantly clicked on one. It felt like this being was speaking directly to me – what he was saying poured deep into me. I began Inner Engineering, and it was so perfectly logical but also had some magic to it that I could not pinpoint. It emanated deep, profound knowledge but was transmitted in a way that was easy for me to understand. I loved it. I learned practical applications to use in my everyday life, and so much began to make sense. I watched Sadhguru's videos every day; I could not get enough of his wisdom. Later, I learned the meditation practice Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya. It was so powerful, like nothing I have ever experienced.

It has been three years, and hundreds of times a day, I take small steps inward, where the answers are, where they have always been. I just needed a torch to light up the way. The transformation is very subtle – I climb one mountain only to see another one. But I know I can handle it. I have the tools for my wellbeing. My confusion about life and people had led me to build high walls around myself. Now, I feel the sweetest freedom of having dissolved those walls. My fear of dying has been replaced with a fantastic appreciation for every minute of my life. A feeling of overwhelming gratitude allows me to take care of others when needed without feeling burdened. Enhanced clarity allows me to choose the right words and actions according to the situations and people in front of me. Freedom from people's opinions finally sunk in, allowing me to live my life to the fullest. So many fears are gone. Fears of being wrong, fears of traveling, fears of being not good enough, fears of darkness. I am not afraid anymore.

Little did I know that the Inner Engineering program would not only transform my life but also bless me with a wonderful piece of life – my daughter Gange!

My paternal grandmother had some issues conceiving a child. My two elder sisters and I inherited these exact genes from my paternal grandmother. My doctor told me that if I wanted to conceive a child, I would also have to undergo the same treatment as my grandmother and sisters; it wouldn't happen naturally. But in Feb 2020, I got to know that I was pregnant. I couldn't believe this was possible for me without any medical support. I took the pregnancy test 2 times, then had it confirmed with two different labs.

I continued practicing the preparatory asanas and Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya on a daily basis. Today, I am very happy to say that because of my daily practice of preparatory asanas and Shambhavi, I had a normal delivery without any medications or support. The doctor who was there for my delivery said, "This was very rare and that we didn't even need to give you saline or poke a single needle." That's the power of Inner Engineering!

I am just so grateful for everything that has happened to me after Inner Engineering.