Kerala woman pedals to Ladakh to raise awareness about yoga

Mangaluru: Agrima Nair,30, who is on a solo cycle ride from Kochi to Ladakh to promote yoga, arrived in Mangaluru recently. She started her trip to raise awareness about yoga and its healing benefits. She is visiting schools, and reaching out to small groups of people, on her trip. She is a postgraduate in yoga therapy, and a biotechnology graduate, and is pursuing a PhD in molecular science.
She said, “While pursuing my PhD, I had developed pain in my joints and spine. As a remedy, I started practising yoga, and have practised and promoted the discipline since then. Travel is my passion, and since I was 17, I have travelled to 18 states. I’m a yoga teacher. I am travelling to Ladakh to meet my Lama friends, and to promote the message of good health. I walk a lot, but walking to Ladakh will take years, so I decided to cycle to Ladakh instead, for the next three months,” said Agrima.
She commenced her journey on the International Day of Yoga, from Kochi on her Kona bicycle, and will cycle on the Konkan route till Gujarat. “Although I appreciate every moment of the ride, the rain of the last few days was definitely a challenge. I cycle an average of 60-65 km per day, and the ride has been smooth thus far. I avoid night travel, and I am mostly on the road between 9 am and 6 pm. I eat fruits, and follow a vegetarian diet,” she said.
Agrima said that the best part of the ride, is the unexpected love and support of the people.
“When I started, my family was concerned, but I wasn’t expecting such support. This country is certainly safe for women, from what I’ve seen to date. This trip is inspiring women,” said Agrima, who travels with her tool kit, puncture kit and basic requirements, among others.
She calls her bicycle Chakrika, the goddess who possesses the divine wheel. Her motto is, “Spinning my wheels to unveil yoga”.