Parag’s Path: Healing, Yoga, and Home in Ireland
When you meet Parag, you’re immediately drawn into his quiet charisma, grounded presence, and the warm energy that makes you feel like you’ve known him forever. But his journey—from the bustling lanes of Hyderabad, India, to the serene coastline of Greystones, Ireland—is anything but ordinary. It’s a story woven with reinvention, resilience, and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of yoga.
“I was born and raised in India, in a land soaked in spiritual tradition,” Parag shares with pride. “The birthplace of yoga, gifted to us by Adiyogi and the seven sages.” Though his roots were deeply spiritual, his early life followed a conventional path—he excelled sports, pursued Bachelor in Arts and PG Diploma in International management, and eventually found himself climbing the corporate ladder. “Two decades of process management, team leadership and even launching the first wood-fired pizza outlet in my city,” he chuckles.
But life, as it often does, had a different plan.
Parag’s journey to Dublin, Ireland began when his wife, Namita, received a corporate transfer. At the time, with a teenage daughter and a strong desire to be more present for his family and reassess his path, Parag made a bold choice: to step away from corporate life and follow his passion.
Greystones, with its warm community and scenic coastline, became their new home. “The people, the air, the energy—it all just felt right. I proudly say today: Greystones is my home.”
A lower back injury—ironically, just before his first Ironman triathlon—became a turning point. “Nine physiotherapists, multiple MRIs, nothing worked. But yoga did. That experience changed everything,” he says. That healing ignited a calling: to go deeper into yoga and to share its wisdom with others.
With a background in competitive basketball, running marathons, and triathlons, Parag knew the discipline and endurance of physical practice. But yoga, he discovered, was something far deeper. And now, as the new owner of The Yoga Barre a beloved studio in Greystones, he brings that depth to the community every single day.
Taking over The Yoga Barre was no small decision—especially in an era when many wellness practitioners are shifting online. But Parag is clear: “Digital can never replace the magic of in-person guidance. In yoga, physical presence matters. The subtle adjustments, the eye contact, the breath shared in silence—it’s all irreplaceable.” He speaks fondly of Caroline, the studio’s previous owner.
Parag’s studio isn’t just another yoga space—it’s a place of purpose. He has consciously carved out classes specifically for men and senior citizens—groups often underrepresented in yoga communities. “When I first attended classes here, there were nine women to every man,” he remembers. “So I thought, let’s change that.”
His male-only classes, once sparsely attended, are now thriving. “There’s this misconception that yoga is for women. But yoga is for everyone. It’s not about flexibility—it’s about connection.”
One of his most inspiring students? A 91-year-old gentleman training to return to his beloved Masters golf tournament. “He told me, ‘I missed it this year. But next year, I’ll be back.Yoga helps me to find my Balance’ That spirit—it moves you.”
Equally moving are the senior citizens he teaches at nursing homes and through his own Chair Yoga program, designed for elderly residents who still want to feel vibrant and connected to their bodies. “The joy they express is beyond words,” he says. “It’s not just about poses—it’s about dignity, community, and wellbeing.”
Parag’s day starts before sunrise, with shatkarma—yogic purification rituals—and pranayama. He drops his daughter to school, teaches classes, and continues learning himself. “As a teacher, you’re always a student. I saw my mother teach for decades, and now I understand—teaching is not about knowing, it’s about living what you know.”
His studio welcomes all kinds of practitioners—from cancer survivors to complete beginners. “Every class is different. My job is to listen, adapt, and create a space where everyone feels safe and supported.”
Despite being an immigrant, Parag says he never truly felt like one. “The welcome from the Greystones community was heartfelt. From our little group called the ‘Beach Bums’ to my first triathlon here—which I call the Kindness Triathlon—this place embraced me.”
Asked what he’d say to men still hesitant to try yoga, he smiles gently.
“Lift weights, sure. But balance it with yoga. It strengthens your nervous system, nurtures your spirit, and makes you more aware. Yoga is not soft. Yoga is strong, inside and out.”
You can find out more about Parag at “Yogawithparag” and “The Yoga Barre”. This story was originally published in the Greystones Wellness Hub and written by Pratiksha Kamat.
