Prathima David
Prathima David had a rich corporate experience before yoga picked her interest as her next career choice. She is a woman of many talents, being a yoga teacher, a home maker, an innovative chef, a lover of nature and now, the title holder of Mrs. India Pride of Nation Ravishing 2019 as first runner-up.
Apart from KPMG in India, Prathima also worked in B-School management and hospital management. Born in Kodagu district of Karnataka, she later shifted to Bengaluru with her family after school and completed her graduation from St. Joseph’s Evening College, while working during the day to support them. She was able to overcome many challenges in life because of her integrity, grit and determination to survive and thrive.
Soon, familial life took over, with Prathima playing a full-time role as a mother and partner, taking a willful break from her career. After her son crossed the age of four years, she began to explore new avenues and chose something that was always at the back of her mind since her childhood - yoga.
Her husband encouraged her to follow her passion and she enrolled for an International Teacher’s Training course specialising in ‘Hatha Yoga’. She was now a certified Yoga Trainer recognised by International Yoga Alliance. However, just after completing the course, she met with an accident that caused a ligament tear in her knee. After undergoing a reconstruction surgery, within six months she healed herself completely with yoga and basic physiotherapy exercises. Once back on her feet, Prathima resumed her yoga practice and slowly started taking classes for women in her neighbourhood.
Yoga is therapeutic in nature if done correctly under the guidance and supervision of an expert. All the women who practiced regularly under her training and supervision benefited and noticed the difference it made in their health and quality of life - such was her dedication. Her fan following grew and more students began to enroll for yoga classes with her. After shifting to her own place in Koramangala, Bengaluru, Prathima ventured into entrepreneurship and started her own yoga studio, calling it ‘Abhisarga – creating yoga for you’.
Cut to this year, Prathima made Bengaluru proud by being the first from south India to win Mrs. India Pride of Nation Ravishing 2019 as first runner-up. In the grand finale held in September in Gurugram, she won the prestigious title. The pageant highlighted the cause of Breast Cancer and had around 4,500 participants who appeared for auditions from all over the country. The contestants had to go through many strenuous training sessions spread across five days to groom them.
A favourite amongst her colleagues and superiors, Prathima has always been passionate about whatever she takes up and does it wholeheartedly. She aims to empower many women who tend to ignore their health, especially after marriage. Her yoga students are all women, ranging from 17 to 70 years. Prathima wishes to work towards the betterment of women’s health and fitness, as she strongly believes that a healthy mind and a healthy body contribute to a healthier society.