Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed and connected.
Summary of Talk by Paula Portugues, Founder of Surya College, at the Bharat Indo-American World Yoga Conference 2023
In the global yoga community, voices that emphasize connection, compassion, and transformation carry a profound resonance. Paula Portugues, the founder of Surya College in Chile, shared her inspiring journey of teaching, learning, and evolving through yoga. Her reflections shed light on the resilience of the yoga community during challenging times and illustrate how yoga continues to shape lives meaningfully across the world.
Founded in 2008, Surya College in Chile emerged from Paula’s deep personal commitment to the yogic path. Over the years, the college has welcomed countless students, each of whom carries the practice into their lives in unique ways. Yoga, according to Paula, is not static—it is a continuous process of transformation. Her teaching reflects this philosophy, guiding students not only in physical postures but in cultivating self-awareness, mindfulness, and inner growth.
Interactive prompt for readers:
Have you ever thought of yoga as more than just a physical practice? Take a moment to reflect on how yoga has influenced your personal growth beyond the mat.
Like educators worldwide, Paula and the Surya College community faced unprecedented challenges during the pandemic. In-person classes and teacher training programs had to transition to online platforms, demanding flexibility and creativity. Rather than viewing this as a setback, Paula saw it as an opportunity:
“The pandemic gave us space inside to feel a different perception of our connectivity—within ourselves and with the external world.”
This shift not only allowed the college to continue its work but also encouraged students and teachers to rediscover yoga’s essence: cultivating compassion, gratitude, and unity even in times of distance.
Interactive reflection:
Think about the ways your own daily practices or routines changed during challenging times. Did you discover new ways to stay connected with yourself or others?
One of Paula’s most profound contributions to yoga education is her somatic and emotionally-centered teaching approach. She emphasizes that yoga is not just about physical postures; it is a path to exploring self-love, inner feelings, and deep reflection.
Paula highlighted the importance of this approach in a world increasingly influenced by technology and artificial intelligence:
“The difference we bring to the future lies in our emotions, our deep feelings. Yoga helps us connect with compassion and gratitude.”
By fostering this emotional dimension, yoga can support not only physical well-being but also emotional resilience and stronger human connections.
Engagement question for readers:
How do you incorporate emotional awareness into your yoga or mindfulness practices? Could focusing on feelings enhance your overall well-being?
Looking forward, Paula shared her plans to expand Surya College internationally. With a new yoga space in Costa Rica, teacher training programs will be offered in a tranquil, nature-filled environment. Her vision is to bridge cultures and communities, creating spaces where practitioners from around the world can learn and practice together.
Interactive thought:
Imagine practicing yoga in a serene natural setting surrounded by a global community. How might that experience transform your understanding of yoga and connection?
Paula’s heartfelt message, despite her modest apology for her English, resonated deeply. She expressed gratitude for being part of a global yoga family and reminded attendees of the shared energy uniting practitioners worldwide.
Her reflections reinforce that yoga is not simply about postures or teacher training—it is about cultivating compassion, gratitude, and authentic connection in everyday life.
Key Takeaways:
Final engagement prompt:
Take a moment today to practice a small act of gratitude or connection. Notice how even tiny mindful actions can reflect the deeper teachings of yoga in your life.
