The Beauty Of Lyrical Yoga With Deepti Martolia

For yoga teacher, artist, and dancer Deepti Martolia, her practice goes beyond just the flow of asanas. Blending the fluidity of dance with the rhythmic flow of Vinyasa yoga, she conceptualised the practice of Lyrical Yoga in 2014. And with almost two decades of experience under her belt–or in this case, her mat–she has carved a niche for herself in the wellness space. 

We spoke to her about her journey towards making a change both on and off the mat. Plus, the beauty benefits of lyrical yoga, which last beyond just the post-workout glow.

Q. How was the idea of Lyrical Yoga born? 

“When I was in college, I was already practising yoga and learning dance. Later, I did a teaching course too, which marked the beginning of this journey. As I went about it, I felt that there could be ways to make the asana practice more fluid and accessible. Often, my students would ask me, ‘Are you a dancer?’, because the way I practised looked like I was dancing. That’s what sowed the seed of Lyrical Yoga.”

Q. What sets this dynamic workout apart? 

“It’s a release technique. Asanas are incomplete without breathing, and this is the foundation of Lyrical Yoga. Many people have rigidity in their bodies and find it hard to let go. This practice focuses on making transitions more fluid, on how you can flow from one pose to another with ease and grace. Here, ‘Lyrical’ means self-poetic expression. It’s about creating a symphony between your breath and your body. We use very calming instrumental music in our sessions. As you progress, the sound of your breath becomes the music itself.”

Q. Do you have any wellness rituals that you swear by? 

“Eating right and starting my mornings by drinking a litre of water. Also, wash your face before you sleep, use cream, and oil your hair. Get a massage once a month to alleviate stiffness.”

Q. What’s your ultimate wellness mantra? 

“We need to spend more time with ourselves. Wellness is about how you feel from within and the clarity of your thoughts. Joy comes when you listen to yourself and your heart.”