Meet Dr. Bharat B. Vibhakar, a cardiologist who spent many years practicing traditional medicine before discovering the life-changing benefits of Ashtanga yoga. Throughout his career, Dr. Vibhakar has demonstrated a dedication to excellence and a devotion to personal development.
Dr. Vibhakar’s Early Beginnings and Education
Dr. Vibhakar has been passionate about medicine from an early age. As a child in Mumbai, he used to spend time with his father, a general practitioner, closely observing how he talked to and treated patients.
Dr. Vibhakar earned his M.B., B.S., (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) degree before being accepted to Grant Medical College, where he spent every waking moment studying medicine. His persistence paid off: he was the only post-graduate candidate to pass his first attempt at the final M.D. exam, and his thesis went on to become a chapter of a neurology textbook. After medical school, Dr. Vibhakar was chosen for an extremely prestigious cardiology residency at Wessex Cardiac and Thoracic Center in England.
Cardiology Career
Dr. Vibhakar’s cardiology training then took him to the United States — Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, to be exact. There he worked as a third-year fellow in the cardiology department. At the end of his four-year tenure, Dr. Vibhakar started a private practice in Providence, Rhode Island.
He enjoyed over 12 years in private practice. The last three years, he simultaneously took on a post in acute emergency room medicine, managing a staff of over 32 people, including doctors.
At 45 years old, Dr. Vibhakar received the devastating news that his father’s health was declining. Although he felt the intense urge to return to his roots in Mumbai, he was hesitant to permanently uproot his family. Dr. Vibhakar decided his family would spend spend six weeks in Mumbai learning the ins and outs of daily life. At the end of the trial period, the family decided to permanently move.
Dr. Vibhakar worked out of his father’s old clinics and a few hospitals, mainly focusing on charity work. But something felt amiss.
Discovering Yoga
After about a year living in Mumbai, Dr. Vibhakar was introduced to yoga by accident. The introduction completely changed his thinking, lifestyle and career. Dr. Vibhakar decided to spend two years back in the United States learning more about preventative cardiology, behavioral science and lifestyle changes to support his new way of thinking.
Upon his return to Mumbai, Dr. Vibhakar focused less on his work at hospitals and more on preaching and practicing a yoga-centered way of life. It turned out that through yoga, many of his patients were able to control and correct diseases. Dr. Vibhakar became certified as a yoga instructor (and later an acupuncturist).
Yoga and You in Your Daily Life
Seeing a need for a comprehensive resource on yoga, life and health for beginners, he decided to write a book about his experiences with medicine and yoga. It took 10 years to complete “Yoga & U in Your Daily Life.”
Contact Dr. Vibhakar Today
Dr. Vibhakar would love to share with you what he has learned about the balance between body and mind. For more information about incorporating yoga into your lifestyle, or to buy a copy of his book, please contact him today.