Bhutan Olympic Committee | Leading Sports Authority in Bhutan & Asia

The Teacher Who Took Bhutan to the
Asian Yoga Stage with Five Medals

Sarita Maya Mongar

Sarita Maya Mongar never imagined that her quiet personal journey into yoga would one day make her a name that echoes beyond the walls of her classroom — and across international borders. A schoolteacher by profession, she has always preferred simplicity and silence. Yet in April 2025, standing tall on a competitive stage among representatives from 21 countries, Sarita carried the national flag of Bhutan and made history at the 2nd Asian Yogasana Sports Championship in New Delhi, India — winning five medals and lifting Bhutan into the global yoga spotlight.

Competing in the Senior B category (ages 35–45), Sarita Maya Mongar made an extraordinary mark by winning a total of five medals — three bronze in Traditional Yoga Poses, Forward Bending, and Artistic Single, and two silver in Artistic Pair and Rhythmic Pair alongside fellow Bhutanese participant Tilu Maya Podwel. It was Bhutan’s first-ever participation in the Asian Yogasana Championship, and what began as an unexpected opportunity turned into an unforgettable debut on the continental stage.

For Sarita, the experience still feels like a dream. “I didn’t start yoga to be an athlete. I started because it helped me find myself again. Practising every day helped me realign my thoughts and reconnect with my body and breath,” she shared.

What began as self-practice evolved into leadership. In 2023, she underwent professional training in Rishikesh, India — the global heart of yoga. Upon returning, she founded a yoga club at Gelephu Middle Secondary School, where she teaches. Her sessions have since become a source of joy and learning for students and colleagues alike.

Her family, too, has embraced the practice. In her community, she is affectionately known as “Yoga Madam” — a title earned not through medals, but through years of consistency, humility, and service.

It was through the Bhutan-India Friendship Association (BIFA), Gelephu Chapter, that the opportunity to participate in the international competition arrived. Sarita’s inclusion in the national representation came as a surprise — a moment of disbelief for someone who never considered herself a competitor. “When I stood there among participants from all over Asia, I felt nervous, but I also felt ready. Yoga had prepared me for this moment — not physically alone, but mentally and spiritually,” she said.

Her success is a moment of immense pride not only for Gelephu or her school, but for Bhutan — a nation now poised to take a more active role in global yogasana sport. Sushma, a BIFA member who also served as team manager, praised Sarita’s achievement: “It was Bhutan’s first time, and both Sarita and Tilu Maya were absolutely inspiring. They’ve shown what quiet determination and years of practice can achieve.

Speaking about the impact of Sarita Maya Mongar’s participation and Bhutan’s debut at the 2nd Asian Yogasana Sports Championship, Sushma, a core member of the Bhutan-India Friendship Association (BIFA), Gelephu Chapter, and the team manager for Bhutan during the event, expressed deep pride and optimism for the future.

“This was Bhutan’s first time on such a stage, and I can confidently say we made our mark,” she said. “Sarita and Tilu Maya showed extraordinary grace, strength, and dedication. They didn’t just perform — they represented the spirit of Bhutan with humility and power.”

Sushma also revealed that the experience has inspired a larger national vision. “We’re now preparing to participate in the World Yogasana Championship in January 2026, and our goal is to field at least 15 athletes from Bhutan. That’s how strongly we believe in the potential we’ve seen,” she shared.

According to her, nationwide awareness programs are already in the pipeline. “We’ll be inviting yoga practitioners from every corner of Bhutan — from schools, colleges, communities, and private studios — to join this movement. It’s not just about competition. It’s about discovering yourself, transforming your life, and standing for something bigger than medals.”

Looking back at the championship in Delhi, Sushma acknowledged the pivotal role Sarita played in inspiring this surge of energy. “Sarita’s story is not just her own. It’s now Bhutan’s story — a story of how consistency, quiet effort, and purpose can take us places we never imagined. She’s igniting hope and motivation across the country.”

In a time when sports headlines are dominated by speed, spectacle, and power, Sarita Maya Mongar’s story is a breath of fresh air. It is a story that transcends the mat, transcends borders — and carries with it the soul of a teacher who simply wanted to live a healthier life, and in doing so, ended up lifting a nation’s pride.

Special gratitude goes to Gold Fish Resort in Gelephu for offering the space and ambience for photography, and to BIFA and the Sports and Yoga Federation of India for creating the bridge for Bhutan’s entry into the world stage.

Sarita may have returned home to her school and her daily routine, but what she brought back — courage, belief, and national inspiration — is far more lasting than a medal. It’s the kind of story that deserves not only celebration, but remembrance. The kind of story that wins hearts — and, perhaps one day soon, awards.