Yogis Uncovered | Meet Avartana
From the quiet woods of Indiana to the spiritual heart of India, Avartana has always followed her intuition. Once struggling with anxiety and the stresses of web design, she found solace in the ancient practices of Qigong, Taoism, and eventually yoga. Now based in Florida, she combines her passion for empowering photoshoots with a deep appreciation for mindfulness. We chatted with Avartana about overcoming her initial fears of being nude, the profound benefits of Shavasana, and why living authentically is her ultimate life philosophy. Subscribe to see her full interview!
“Yoga helps me whenever I’m feeling tense; it just melts away all the tension and helps me feel more relaxed. It even affects my mind by calming my thoughts, and I feel like I can breathe better, too.”
Hi, my name is Avartana. I’m currently based out of Florida, but I’m originally from Indiana.
What was it like growing up in Indiana?
At my parents’ house, I lived in the woods, which was fun because I got to be out in nature a lot. However, there wasn’t much to do in Indiana as far as community events and activities went.
What do you do for work?
I do a bunch of different types of gigs. Lately, I’ve been doing a lot of photoshoots, and I also do some crypto and stock trading. I went to school for website design, but I realized I don’t like doing it because it stresses me out. I actually went to India to get certified to teach yoga, so I taught for a little bit. Then I started traveling too much, so I haven’t been actively teaching recently.
How did you get into yoga?
It started when I was in a kung fu club in college, which got me into reading books about Taoism, Qigong, and other interesting practices. I found yoga through that exploration. I just felt a lot better, more open, and relaxed.
What are your passions and hobbies outside of work and yoga?
I’ve always liked art in general. I try to paint sometimes with my friends, and I’ve always loved poetry, so I work on that. I also really enjoy traveling and exploring new places.
What does yoga bring to your life?
Yoga helps me whenever I’m feeling tense; it just melts away all the tension and helps me feel more relaxed. It even affects my mind by calming my thoughts, and I feel like I can breathe better, too.
Did discovering yoga change the course of your life?
Yoga has definitely changed the course of my life in several ways. It greatly improved my posture, and because I used to struggle with a lot of anxiety, it helped me calm down, relax, and center myself. It’s helped me quiet my thoughts and improved my life in so many different ways.
Were you always comfortable being naked, or has that changed over time?
My comfort level has definitely changed over time. I didn’t grow up in an extremely religious household, but that influence was still there, and I used to think it was bad to be naked. Even by myself, I wouldn’t hang out naked. I started getting into nude yoga when I first discovered the practice. I would just sit inside my room, light a candle in the dark, put the DVD on, and practice along with the instructors. That helped me get more and more comfortable being nude. From there, I started doing artistic nude shoots and other activities that felt empowering without sexualizing my body. That whole process helped me a lot.
How does being naked on camera affect your life?
It has affected my life in different ways. For me, if I’m doing something with good intentions, like the empowering shoots I do, it helps me feel good. It’s a fulfilling, wholesome activity for me. But it’s also affected my life in ways where people who don’t understand will pass judgment, including some family and friends. When people don’t understand, they project their fears or beliefs and make assumptions. So it comes with both sides, but the pros have always outweighed the cons for me.
What’s your favorite food? I lived a raw vegan lifestyle for a lot of years, but since moving to Florida, I’ve been eating cooked food again. Lately, my favorite thing to eat has been vegetable dumplings. They are so good!
What is your favorite yoga pose? My favorite yoga pose is actually Shavasana, because it helps me reset my back and fully release tension from all my muscles. Sometimes it takes a lot of effort to just let go of everything. When I’m in Shavasana, I mentally go from my feet all the way up to my head and imagine relaxing each part of my body. It’s definitely my favorite, even though it’s a simple one.
How did it go on set filming your latest sequence? What was easy and what was challenging?
I really liked the sequence in general. It was designed for post-running recovery, working the leg muscles and hip flexors. The most difficult part was a twist we did with our leg out to the side. Twisting the arm on the side with the extended leg was easier, but twisting the other way was a bit more challenging!
What was it like working with the crew on set?
Everyone I’ve been working with has been really nice and professional. I’ve been really enjoying my time here; the environment feels comfortable, and everyone is incredibly respectful.
Do you have a fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know?
I’ve done some really random, fun things. For example, when I was in high school, my friends and I thought it was hilarious to go into Hollister and depants the mannequins every time we went to the mall!
What is a piece of advice you wish you had heard ten years ago?
A piece of advice I heard a while back that has really stayed with me is a Dr. Seuss quote. It says, "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind." It basically means that the people who truly care about you aren’t going to give you a hard time for just being yourself.
Do you have a life motto or philosophy?
My life philosophy is that we’re not here very long. In the grand scheme of things, our lives go by so fast, like the blink of an eye. Because of that, it’s important to honor yourself and live life to the fullest, as long as you’re not harming yourself or other people. That way, you won’t have any regrets at the end.
Where can we find you online?
On most sites, I go by @space6irl!
*this interview has been edited for brevity and clarity