I was born in a small village in central India and had a very loving family. Village living was a wonderful experience. We had farm-to-table meals daily, access to the wonders of nature at our doorstep, and an incredibly close-knit community – which was led by my father as the Village Sarpanch*. My mother also played a significant role in the village community development. They both helped shaped me into the person I am today. *A Village Sarpanch is a decision-maker, elected by the village-level constitutional body of local self-government in India.
Growing up, my parents worried about my education as villages tend to provide limited education opportunities. However, while other girls in the village were getting married, with the support of my parents, I became the first engineer from my village. Though I achieved many great things and worked hard, I found it difficult to enjoy people being proud of me or the success I was experiencing; my mind wouldn’t rest. I was constantly worried about others and spent a lot of time tying to calm and quiet my mind – never really finding a long-term solution.
I believe that a spiritual desire has been inside me since my childhood; however, it wasn’t until I got married and relocated to the U.S. that I uncovered that ancient practice of Vihangam Yoga – thanks to my in-laws. It was like seeing the light at the end of the tunnel – especially after spending years feeling anxious, worried, and fearful of failure public and speaking.
Life in the U.S. was a big change, especially being on a dependent visa. But it gave me a chance to fully focus on yoga, breathwork, and meditation and make it a part of who I am. Life goes on, and eventually I started working, started a family, and found a loving community to belong to in this wonderful country. Despite all the pleasures of life, I still felt a sense of emptiness that I couldn’t comprehend. However, whenever I was inconsistent with my meditation, I noticed a difference in my mental energy. And this motivated me further down the meditation path.
I gradually learned that Vihangam individuals gather online for meditation practices and discussions. In 2010, I came across like-minded people and was finally granted permission by my master to teach meditation as an instructor. Since March 2014, I have been teaching yoga and meditation in various places.
I needed to experience inner happiness and a sense of a purposeful life. I desired to have better control over my fear and mental jams. Through meditation, I learned to embrace my flaws and seek ways to improve them. Furthermore, it aids me in better comprehending my strengths and weaknesses. It not only prepares me but also assists me in adapting to and progressing through different situations. It brings clarity to my thoughts. It guides me to make choices when I have multiple options. Meditation is not a magic wand, and it does not happen right away; rather, it needs consistent practice and dedication.
Inspired by my passion for meditation and holistic well being, I’ve been intensely studying Ayurveda, an ancient system of medicine from India, originating over 5,000 years ago. In March 2026, I became a certified as a Holistic Ayurvedic Coach and am now working toward a Counselor certification. I’m also a member of National Ayurvedic Medical Association Certification Board.
Oh, I have a long list of Indian foods that I grew up eating and absolutely love. My favorite ones are Chhole Bhature (spicy and tangy chickpea curry with deep-fried flatbread usually served with slices of raw onion and pickles), Maysoor Masala Dosa (crispy flatbread made of legumes and rice), Pulao (rice made with lots of vegetables and spices), Shahi Paneer (Indian cottage cheese in a gravy made of cashews and onion), Pani Poori, (deep-fried round balls eaten with spicy water) and Samosa (deep-fried potato patty). I love any dessert made from milk and various cuisines across different states of India, which offer more than 100 different varieties. My favorites are Ras Malayi and Kalakand, both extremely decadent and made primarily from milk yet present very different textures.
India has an extremely diverse culture across its 28 states and eight union territories. There are 22 official languages with over 100 more dialects spoken across the vast country. With changes in region and language, there is also a host of different cuisines across states. This diversity was much more apparent to me after relocating to the U.S. when I had the opportunity to spend more time with people from various Indian states. Each place has something unique to offer; the state I’m from has leafy vegetables in abundance. Some states have special cloth patterns, materials, and techniques which originated there.
Another beautiful aspect of India is people worship where or what they find divinity in. People worship earth, fire, cows, water, gods, goddesses, etc. Multiple religions are practiced across India, and various festivals are celebrated together across religions. I had been fortunate to celebrate Christmas and Eid al-Fitr with delicious food at my friends’ homes. And, my friends have joined us in celebrating Diwali and Holi.
Religion and spirituality are a part of everyday life, from daily prayers at home and visiting temples to “giving to others.” When we follow what our elders have taught us, we have inbuilt pauses in our daily schedules to slow down, breathe, and be grateful. Everyone needs that time to revitalize their inner energy and connect to themselves.
Another aspect that makes me beam with pride is our food. The original authentic recipes that our grandparents and generations before them have passed down were devised with extreme care. Eating locally produced, in-season fruits and vegetables, freshly ground flours, and spices that change from season to season equip the body with everything it needs. For example, most Indian dishes contain turmeric, which based on scientific studies in the past decade has proven to be anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.
What makes you most proud to work at eMoney?
I genuinely love the eMoney culture—the people, the team, and the leaders—for the constant encouragement that comes to each individual in so many ways. I’m very grateful for the everyday opportunities to grow, shine, and present my best learning in the most meaningful way.
Thank you for sharing your story and experiences Maya. Enjoyed reading this. Hope many others do and can learn about our culture through you!
Wow Maya…getting to hear more about your upbringing & background is so inspiring. I loved hearing about your progression into meditation & yoga – such powerful tools to bring about inner peace & positive change. I’m very much looking forward to your May meditations!
I am lucky enough to have Maya as my Accountability Buddy for the Wellness challenge. I was excited to learning more through this article and to see she is offering meditations in May!