A Pioneering Journey from Bangalore to the World Stage
Bangalore, Karnataka – Dr. Savitha Rani M, a trailblazer in the field of aquatic yoga, has earned the prestigious title of "Aqua Queen" after dedicating over two decades to the art of Jala Yoga. Her journey, marked by resilience and passion, has transformed her into a globally recognized figure, celebrated for her unique contribution to yoga and wellness. Dr. Rani’s journey into the world of Jala Yoga was not a planned one. Born and raised in Bangalore, she was always encouraged by her mother Smt. Nirmala Mallikarjuna to embrace yoga. However, like many young girls, she was also involved in a variety of extracurricular activities like music. She had a penchant for sports like karate and rifle shooting, demonstrating her versatility and athletic prowess from a young age. Her foray into the world of water began somewhat unexpectedly. One day, her father Prof. K. Mallikarjuna, recognizing the importance of swimming as a life skill, urged her to learn how to swim. This decision would become a turning point in Rani's life, steering her towards a path she had never envisioned. It was her mother who, in a stroke of inspiration, suggested combining her yoga practice with her newfound love for water. This idea sparked something within rani, and thus began her journey into Jala Yoga – a practice that involves performing traditional yoga aasanas in water.
Jala Yoga was not an easy discipline to master. In the early days, she would spend up to 4 hours in the water, painstakingly learning and perfecting each asana. As her dedication grew, so did her stamina and skill, and soon she was able to stay in the water for up to eight to nine hours at a stretch. The resistance and buoyancy provided by water added a new dimension to her yoga practice, challenging her strength, flexibility, and balance in ways that traditional yoga could not. One of the most significant milestones in Dr. Rani's career came when she set out to break a world record for the World Book of Records, London. The day was fraught with challenges; the weather was less than ideal, with heavy rain and wind making the water cold and turbulent. Despite these obstacles, Dr. Rani persevered, demonstrating the tenacity and focus that has come to define her career. Her successful attempt not only secured her a place in the record books but also cemented her reputation as a pioneer in the field. Dr. Rani can now perform more than 45 aasanas in water, a testament to her incredible skill and endurance.
Dr. Rani has shown remarkable dedication to both promoting aquatic yoga and raising awareness for social causes. She has participated in significant events like Kumbh Mela 2022, where she likely demonstrated her aquatic yoga skills. Her commitment to these activities not only highlights the uniqueness of this discipline but also her dedication to preserving cultural practices. In a recent initiative to inspire social responsibility, Dr. Rani connected her aquatic yoga prowess with the importance of voting, performing a special Jala Yoga session as the Parliament elections 2024 in India began. This creative approach emphasizes the importance of exercising the fundamental right to vote, linking physical and civic engagement. She has also achieved commendable feats, such as performing yoga on the water on International Yoga Day and, on Independence Day, holding a large Indian National Flag while performing yoga on the water. These acts underscore her passion for both her country and the art of yoga.
She achieved numerous awards and recognition for her expertise in Jalayoga, a unique form of yoga practiced in water bodies like wells and rivers of varying depths. Her dedication and passion for this traditional practice are truly inspiring. Her expertise has earned her numerous state and national awards, the list of the few award is given & many more:
- Varshadha Sadhaki-2022
- AQUA STAR
- JALAYOGA STAR OF INDIA
- SWATHI MUTTU AWARD for excellence in JALAYOGA
- JALAYOGA STAR OF BHARAT
- JALA KANYE
- ICONIC JALA YOGA STAR
- AQUATIC STAR OF JALAYOGA
- ICONIC AQUA STAR OF THE YEAR
- ICONIC WATER YOGA EXPERT
- AQUA QUEEN
- JALAYOGA THARE
During her performances, she encountered various creatures in the water, some of which have bitten her. Additionally, she faced challenging weather conditions, including during my performances at the Kumbha Mela and while setting a record in the World Book of Records. Despite these obstacles, She have persevered and succeeded. What makes her achievements even more remarkable is the fact that she is entirely self-taught. Through years of experimentation and dedication, she has developed her own techniques and methodologies, earning recognition from various trusts and organizations. Her contributions have been widely acknowledged, with numerous States, national and international awards adding to her accolades. Today, Dr. Savitha Rani M stands as an inspiration to many, her journey a testament to the power of perseverance, innovation, and the pursuit of one’s passion and grateful to her mother Smt. Nirmala Mallikarjuna & father Prof. K. Mallikarjuna for their support in this entire journey.
