80 YOGA JOURNAL
Lessons from
Ancient Temples
but the gleeful children of Siem Reap
revealed my desire to work with kids.
Like me, how would they cope with
stress and trauma? I wanted to help.
Today, I teach yoga and mindfulness
to young people in preschools and
primary and secondary schools across
London, offering them tools to cope
with anxiety, stress, and trauma in
a holistic way. I am Ambassador of the
Girls Network, mentoring girls aged
14–19, and empowering them with self-
confidence through yoga. Angkor Wat’s
temples have withstood the evolution of
centuries: wars, weather, vegetation—yet
they still stand strong. It reflected my
own strength back to me. In the #MeToo
era, I stand firmly in my strength as
I help lift future generations.Two years ago, as I was nearing 30, I found myself completely
lost, out of a job after nearly 10 years in an industry that I had
(for the most part) loved. I’d been bullied out of my corporate
job by my boss, a man who told me I was a distraction when
I walked across the trading floor because of how I looked and
dressed. The entire ordeal left me with severe anxiety, panic
attacks, and insomnia. I knew I should take some time out. So
I booked a one-way flight to Australia and decided I’d just go
with the flow.
After travelling for months through Australia and Bali,
I finally landed in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Immediately I felt an
unexplainable peace. People were charming and friendly; the
children were so full of wonder; the scenery was mesmerizing.
I reveled in meandering along soft dirt roads, discovering
secrets kept in hidden shops and cozy cafes. It felt safe.
Most people visit Siem Reap to see Angkor Wat – a huge
complex of ancient temples spanning 402 acres, built in the
early 12th century by the Khmer king Suryavarman II, and
dedicated to Vishnu, the Hindu god of preservation. I bought
a three day pass and got lost in the labyrinth. Roaming through
magnificent temples, witnessing Buddhist monks silently pray,
I allowed myself to begin to heal. Like the bygone pagodas that
were slowly being reclaimed by massive trees and gnarled vines,
I realized that my trauma was part of my journey, to help me
grow and change. What’s meant to happen will always happen,
I thought, reflecting on the beautifully morphed landscape. It
was the first time in months that I was able to relax and let go.
As my mind settled and my anxiety loosened, I began to process
my trauma and move forward.
Siem Reap gave me back a part of myself that I thought I’d
lost. After just three days, I felt lighter and happier. I had been
planning to attend yoga teacher training in the coming months,After walking away from a career in banking, one yoga teacher found her
footing at Angkor Wat.PURAVI JOSHI is an ex-banker turned yoga teacher who leads hatha, vinyasa, and restorative yoga classes in
London. She also teaches yoga and mindfulness to children. Learn more at puravijoshi.com.