This is the first-of-its-kind investment by a sportsperson into the brand that has earlier received funding from prominent names including Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez
SARVA, India’s fastest growing yoga based wellness ecosystem has raised funding from ace cricketer and entrepreneur Shikhar Dhawan. Being a sportsman and fitness enthusiast himself, Shikhar has been practicing yoga for a long time and it also aided his recuperation from a recent injury. His investment into the venture aligns with his belief that yoga can help achieve emotional, spiritual and physical fitness. He also believes that Yoga is India's gift to the world.
SARVA till date has raised over $8 million in funding from an illustrious list of global investors including David Giampaolo, noted entrepreneur in the global health and fitness sector; Mark Mastrov, an entrepreneur hailed as the ‘Steve jobs of Fitness’; Jennifer Lopez, Alex Rodriguez, Zumba, Fireside Ventures & Mantra Capital. Bollywood celebrities Malaika Arora, Aishwaryaa R Dhanush, Shahid and Mira Kapoor also back the venture. The brand aims to connect 7 billion breaths through yoga and mindfulness, showcasing it as a seamless part of various lifestyles, individuals, and professionals and how it has changed them.
Speaking about the investment, Sarvesh Shashi, Founder SARVA, and Co-founder DIVA Yoga, said, “We are very happy to have Shikhar Dhawan on board as an investor and partner. Sports and fitness go hand in hand and Shikhar aligned completely with SARVA’s philosophy of holistic health and well-being, which is a must for a fast-paced game like cricket. His involvement will help us rebrand yoga as authentic yet modern and inclusive yet transformative-- a positioning that yoga has never had in India”.
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| Shikhar Dhawan and Sarvesh Shashi |
Speaking about this, Shikhar Dhawan, said, “SARVA is doing great work towards empowering people with tools to lead better lives and I am thrilled to join their mission of connecting seven billion breaths. My personal journey with fitness and wellness began when I entered the world of cricket. I have first-hand benefited from yoga, be it while recovering from an injury, getting back into shape, building stamina or staying focused before a game. For me yoga is a holistic workout that helps me achieve a perfect blend of physical fitness, mental strength, agility, and peace of mind. This is why when I met Sarvesh, I connected to his vision for SARVA instantly.”
SARVA and its women-centric brand DIVA Yoga have grown aggressively since its inception in 2016 and now have an integrated offline and online offering. The newly launched SARVA Yoga App is currently divided into 2 categories: Body, that hosts video on demand, LIVE and an interactive offering which is currently under progress; Mind - a collection of authentic Indian stories for Sleep, Meditation and Mindfulness. The 3rd category to be launched soon is called Nourish, which will host healthy recipes, skin-care tips and more.
“Today Yoga has become ubiquitous in the world of sports with many players having discovered the benefits of this practice in combination with their regular workouts. We at SARVA have been working closely with many athletes including those from the fields of cricket, badminton, Golf, boxing, swimming and tennis over the last few years”, added Sarvesh Shashi.
One of the finest players in the Indian cricket team and a trendsetter, Shikhar Dhawan’s yoga routine starts with a Surya Namaskar, followed by Sarvangasana and Halasana to activate his back and core and ends his practice with pranayama. This regime opens up his body and relaxes him mentally as well. It also lets him balance out other aspects of life including his recent stint as an entrepreneur – something that requires a lot of focus.
SARVA and DIVA Yoga have a global digital reach of over 200 million. The brands have set out to help people across different countries connect with this holistic practice and achieve the associated benefits. For more information or to join the live classes, people can log on to live.sarva.com or Download the Sarva app on Appstore and iOS. You can also access live yoga sessions at @thedivayoga.
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