Deep: The Art of Self-surrender
If someone hasn't told you already, meditation and yoga are cheat codes for life. Accruing internal balance and calmness from yoga will make your day-to-day peaceful and whole. Don't know where to start? Start with Deep! Based in Virginia and Washington D.C, Deep, AKA DeepElevation LLC, will take you to new heights. Deep is a Yogi, life coach, and author ready to guide the masses to tranquility. His Punjabi ancestry further helps him achieve spirituality on a deeper level, and he is prepared to share his gifts with the world. Deep is well versed in Ashtanga Vinyasa and Yoga Nidra, and his talents have opened him up to teaching in prisons and war zones. Not only is he the go-to guy for learning self harmony, but he is also a published author! His recently released book innocence, which is a collection of stories and poems that delves into vulnerability and embraces the concept of shedding social norms and influence. 50% of this book's profits go to the Khalsa Aid & Islamic Relief, which is providing necessities for those affected by poverty. Jejune is delighted to talk to the wise Deep about his insights on the world. This interview covers his incredible pro-Bono work, his book innocence, and how to self-surrender at will. Please continue reading below!
Where are you based?
Currently I am based in Richmond, Virginia & Washington D.C.
How did you know being a Yogi was something you were attracted to?
I didn’t know. The mystical wind drew me in somehow. I guess it was meant to be.
How has DeepElevation grown throughout the years?
DeepElevation was founded on the concept of depth and elevation. Both these concepts are essential elements of life that we as humans, whether we like it or not, must experience in the span of a lifetime. Whether we embrace or reject the experience is subjective; I teach people to embrace it. In the practical aspect as a personal fitness trainer, I have helped people heal themselves of health issues and accomplish different aesthetic body goals. In regard to the integration of the mind, spirit, soul and body I have used Yoga therapy for individuals with all sorts of immune diseases, degenerative bodily or mental diseases, adults and juveniles locked in the prison system and refugees.
Can you elaborate on what Ashtanga Vinyasa and Yoga Nidratarget is?
Ashtanga Vinyasa is a system of practice centered on posture, gaze, breath and flow that K. Pattabhi Jois founded and created, which, was separate, but based on the foundational knowledge that Tirumalai Krishnamacharya taught him. So, Ashtanga allows for the physical and mental dimension of your life to become sharpened because of the physical challenges of the postures and the mental memorization of the sequence of these postures. Yoga Nidra is the practice of surrendering and navigating the space between being awake and asleep; sometimes it is referred to as unconscious while conscious.
How long have you been a Yogi, and where do you share your passion with others?
To be a yogi means to be one that seeks union with oneself and everything in life. I can’t specify a timeframe for this; however, I can say that yogic traditions influenced much of my childhood upbringing, even though, my parents and I didn’t know this. My grandmother’s brother was a gatekeeper of a specific yogic lineage.
Does working in copious and such diverse locations challenge you? How invested are your students, and do you receive feedback?
I’ve taught in various spaces, specifically here I can speak about my work in juvenile detention centers. With my work in juvenile detention centers. It's not about what I share, but how I share it. It's about building a relationship with youth below the age of 18 who have had adults fail them their entire life. Then based on the energy and mutual respect that I create the space with, I then share boundaries and specific knowledge and lessons to be learned. I can reach each person in a specific and personal manner that is effective and healing for them.
Whitney Ingram
Odja LLC
What is your favorite part about Yoga? How does it help you release tension and mental/bodily stress?
For me yoga is realigning myself to my breath before everything else. Yoga allows me to experience life beyond the senses, but with the senses. It's an alternative to mind-body altering substances. Yoga allows me to accept and embrace death in every form and shape, including my own.
How do you feel Yoga has helped you through the pandemic?
I didn’t feel any irregularity socially from the pandemic because of the self-isolation that I have practiced with the aspect of seeking self-knowledge with the yogic practices.
How does your Punjabi Ancestry influence your craft?
The word Punjab means the land of the five rivers, and each one of these rivers has a profound emotional and spiritual depth. Anything that involves the word Punjab involves a high degree of emotional and spiritual meaning. So, naturally, this element is also a part of my art.
Being well-rounded is your forte! You are also an author and poet. Can you tell us how you ventured into writing?
I answer this question often, I had no desire to be an author or poet as an identity. I was just lost, yet found, searching for a new way to cope. I just took pieces of paper and pencil to cope with the vast chaos, turmoil, insanity and irregularities I experienced at the specific time. I wrote innocence, as well as, what I have experienced my entire life and still do.
Can you tell me a bit about your new book, innocence? And when did it come out?
innocence is a collection of poems and short stories that explore the subjective and objective experience of innocence, and create an emotional concept around it. Innocence is the essence of who we are when we are connected to ourselves first, before the rest of biological life and human society. innocence is a paperback, audiobook and eBook that is available on amazon, audible and kindle, and it was released on September 28th 2021. It is available worldwide for purchase right now as you read this!!!!
“Synchronicity”: Poem from Deep’s book innocence
What is a topic in the book that you feel is relevant to those still struggling with depression, anxiety, stress, and isolation due to the COVID-19 Pandemic?
The ability to connect to oneself at such an emotional depth that you spiritually elevate beyond anything you experience. But this is because you embrace the experience, even if it tears you apart instead of ignoring and suppressing it for eternity.
Where can we find a copy of your book? Here.
You will also be donating 50% of your book profits to the Khalsa Aid and Islamic Relief. What is Khalsa Aid & Islamic Relief’s mission, and what prompted you to partner with them?
The mission of Khalsa Aid and Islamic Relief is both centered around the concept of helping humans regardless of background or circumstance by providing them the necessities that they require. They only differ in the aspect that Khalsa Aid is based on Sikh principles as part of Sikhism and Islamic Relief is based on Islamic principles. I was born a Sikh but of recent have embraced Islam and declared myself a Muslim. I wanted to donate 50% of my proceeds to these two humanitarian organizations because the work they do is beautiful, inspiring and serves a practical purpose for countless humans in need. I will involve a lot more of my direct energy with humanitarian work in the near future.
How do you connect with yourself through poetry and Yoga, and how can you encourage others to do the same?
Yoga allows me to connect to myself profoundly on all levels of the mind, body, spirit and soul. Poetry is the essence of how the depth inside of me desires to express itself and how it seeks to understand the word. Naturally yoga and poetry have sex and merge to create this beautiful experience that is ascetic and tantric. I wouldn’t encourage others; I would just show them the difference in experiences of their daily life experiences after going through this conscious awakening.
Jejune loves that you teach Pro-Bono classes in rehabilitation centers, war zones, and hospitals? Can you tell us a bit about these experiences and why you decided to teach in these spaces?
Honestly, I was led there during different periods of my life, and I feel that calling comes back now that I have spent time with myself with the experience of experiencing innocence and then manifesting it into the world.
Do you have any stories you would like to share from these experiences?
I taught yoga to children in Lebanon who were Syrian refugees and the beautiful energy in their eyes brought my heart to tears. They had gone through so much and were beyond grateful for the human that was present in front of them, even though, we didn’t speak the same language. There was something about teaching yoga, or sharing anything with them, that I felt was far more powerful than working with humans that constantly find a reason to be ungrateful for the life that they have been blessed with.
How have you been affected by the Pandemic? Are things back to normal for you?
Besides the threat of Covid-19, honestly not much has changed for me, but I have observed much has changed for others.
Whitney Ingram
Odja LLC
How does one self-surrender?
One is only able to surrender if they themselves choose to. Life will eventually make you surrender but the human will is so strong that it will find a way to take a detour and avoid this surrender. You must.
What is your motto in life?
One day, night, or a time or space unknown, I will die. So I must enjoy, experience, reflect or chase what I have and want now, not later.
If you wish to self-surrender with Deep, please follow him on the platform(s) below:
Instagram: @baldeeppooni
Website: https://www.innocencebydeep.com/
Click here to get your very own copy of innocence!
