At Glo, we have a passion for honoring yoga’s past and contributing to yoga’s future. Rarely have these values been embodied in one human more than in Gopi Kallayil, Google’s Chief Brand Evangelist and founder of the Yogler Community. Growing up in Kerala, India, Gopi was introduced to the practices of yoga and meditation in his late teens. The depth of his study of ancient tradition is matched only by his dedication to formal education and modern innovation.
His portfolio of classes offers introductory level lectures on yoga history and philosophy, mixed level yoga classes that embody Sivananda, Vinyasa, and classical Hatha Yoga styles, as well as audio meditation classes that can be done at the office, during a commute, or out in nature. Gopi’s infectious and playful spirit makes yoga accessible to the newer student while uplifting a seasoned practitioner who may have plateaued.
Gopi is not a yoga teacher by profession. One of the reasons we invited him to join the team at Glo was to present the practices from the point of view of someone who has a busy life, just like us. Gopi shares how he squeezes yoga into a busy day with his short duration practices—some of Glo’s shortest, most user-friendly classes yet:
Three-Minute Tune-Up: https://bit.ly/2RIINvw
The Commuter: https://bit.ly/2YePsA1
Mindfully Waiting: https://bit.ly/2YsVflq
A busy lifestyle is further supported by on-the-go practices, which is why we launched our audio meditation series last year. Glo now has over 100 audio meditation classes and Gopi’s voice adds both joy and depth. We asked Gopi to take us through what a mindful day would look like, and he has done just that. Beginning with a morning intention setting practice, he joins you on your commute, gives you peace while you may be impatiently waiting for something, supports you on letting the workday go, and finally helps you prepare for sleep with a guided relaxation. Have a complete mindful day with Gopi’s audio meditation practices:
Morning Intention Setting: https://bit.ly/2IVVsIH
Let the Workday Go: https://bit.ly/2JaEMME
Settle Down for Sleep: https://bit.ly/2IZeT3L
We’re also excited to offer our first Sivananda style class. Sivananda is one of the world’s most respected schools of yoga that offers a dynamic, yet gentle blend of breath and postures. Sivananda focuses on the classic Surya Namaskara C, a great alternative for those who want the benefits of a vinyasa practice but have wrist or shoulder challenges.
Up and Down the Spine: https://bit.ly/2FEZfIx
Glo has always made a point to offer lectures on the rich history and philosophy of yoga. While these have been some of our favorite classes, they are presented with such depth, that they may feel overwhelming to students diving into philosophy for the first time. We wanted to bring in a teacher who could, in just a few short minutes, give us the “Cliff Notes” version. Gopi’s 2-5 minute Beyond the Mat lectures both inspire and inform. You will leave them feeling like you learned something that you can truly take with you. There’s something for everyone with lectures on yoga history, philosophy, and even the yogic diet:
It’s All Yoga: https://bit.ly/2RFHehY
Five Elements of a Yogic Diet: https://bit.ly/2XB43J6
Breaking Free of Limitations: https://bit.ly/2LrcyzM
As Glo continues to expand, our roster of teachers and topics will also grow. As we finely tune ourselves to the current zeitgeist and address the modern needs of our users, we will continue to look to, and lean on, the traditions of yoga that have supported our culture for millennia.
With one foot in yoga’s history and one foot in yoga’s future, we find ourselves firmly in the present moment by welcoming Gopi Kallayil.
