17: Reena and Viren: Answering Big Questions on Life, Work and The True Meaning of Yoga

The Indian American Experience Podcast

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Viren embarked on his journey to the US about 35 years back, leaving India to do MBA here. In his ensuing career he played a pivotal role in the world of International Business. He is recently retired from his corporate career but remains an influential figure in the business and financial landscape. Reena came here in 1990 to join Viren after they got married. After a career in accounting, she is now a full time yoga teacher by ‘passion and profession’ in her own words. Reena and Viren have two adult daughters.

Together they reflect on their personal and professional lives and answer my questions on acculturation and the challenges of parenting while balancing two cultures. This interview stands out in that both Reena and Viren thoughtfully answer my difficult questions about defining what American influences looked like for them versus their Indian heritage while recalling some very interesting stories and experiences. Viren brings up building relationships as something he learnt in his Indian upbringing and talks about how he applied that to his professional roles in the American workforce. Reena shares her knowledge and deep insight into yoga and its many aspects and helps me understand something I only knew about in a cursory way earlier.
As usual I also ask them about what they aspire for in the near future, and it brings forth not only some answers but also questions about what the ultimate goal of life is, and when to slow down versus continuing to fire on all cylinders for a little bit longer!

Reena’s yoga website address: YogawithReena.com

Reena’s Instagram: @Yoga.with.reena
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