Praveen Maripelly, founder of 108 SN team, has made a name for himself as a visionary Indian artist. With a voracious appetite for artistic expression, he has pursued his passion to the far-flung corners of the world, where he is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in 4D at the prestigious University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA. It is not just his current pursuit that sets him apart, he has already achieved a Master's degree in Visual Arts (Printmaking) from the esteemed Faculty of Fine Arts of M.S University of Baroda, India in 2009. Prior to that, he had obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts (Painting) from P. S. Telugu University in Hyderabad, India in 2007, giving him a powerhouse foundation in his chosen field. 

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But that's not all. For Praveen, life is all about balance, and he has devoted himself to the teaching of yoga as well. His passion for the physical and spiritual practice has spurned him to attain a Yoga Teacher training Certificate from Yoganiketan, Vadodara, India (2010-11), inspiring others to cultivate their own inner creativity. Praveen’s passion for artistic expression and spiritual awakening is palpable in every facet of his life. From his stunning creations to his dedicated practice of yoga, he is a true inspiration, proving that with the right balance of creativity and discipline, anything is possible.

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Praveen’s journey with 108 Surya Namaskars began with a chance encounter, a whisper of something that sparked a flame within him. He was drawn to the challenge, to push the limits of his body and mind, and so he set out to complete the feat. But his initial attempt was met with defeat, as his body and mind proved unequal to the task. Undaunted, he refused to give up. He threw himself into his practice, training with a relentless determination, fuelled by a burning desire to succeed. 

 

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, as Praveen honed his skills and strengthened his resolve. He pushed himself harder than ever before, pouring all of his energy and focus into perfecting each movement. And finally, the day came. On the 30th of March 2013, Praveen stood ready to tackle the 108 Surya Namaskars once more. This time, his mind was clear, his body was strong and his spirit was unbreakable. And in a remarkable 45 minutes, he accomplished the task of completing his first 108 Surya Namaskars with grace and ease. 

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It was a moment of triumph, a testament to the power of dedication, perseverance, and hard work. Praveen had proven that anything was possible, that no dream was too big and no challenge too great. This turned out to be a motivation for others and inspired many to take up the challenge themselves. People were amazed by Praveen’s accomplishment and wanted to experience the same sense of achievement and empowerment for themselves. They saw in him a symbol of hope, a shining example of what can be achieved through hard work and determination. His story was motivating and encouraging others to embrace the challenge and follow in his footsteps. And thus, a movement was born, a ripple of inspiration that touched countless lives and empowered countless individuals to chase their dreams and achieve greatness. Through his unwavering spirit and relentless pursuit of success, Praveen changed the lives of those around him and left a lasting impact. 

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Praveen's daily routine has been peppered with 108 Surya Namaskars - the ultimate homage to the sun. But for Praveen, this was not just a mere ritual; it was a way of life. This disciplined practice soon bore fruit, as the yogi felt a sense of inner equilibrium he had never experienced before. However, Praveen was not content with simply perfecting his technique - he had grander ambitions. 

 

Thus began Praveen's journey to conquer new heights - both physically and mentally. His high altitude 108 Surya Namaskars project was a solo mission, one that would take him on a whirlwind tour of some of the world's most challenging terrains. Between 2016 and 2022, he set foot on 21 mountains, spanning 8 countries in 4 continents. Every step was a victory in itself, every breath a tribute to his unwavering resolve. This journey was about much more than just scaling peaks.  

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But this is just the beginning. Praveen's ultimate goal is to perform 108 Surya Namaskars on a grand total of 108 mountains across the globe.  

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The experiences he gained from his mountain yoga performances and his dedicated practice have profoundly altered his perspective on life. The art of self-care, he learned, went beyond just physical fitness; it encompassed the entire gamut of the human experience. The care he had for himself eventually expanded to care for his local community, and then to care for humanity across the entire world. 

Praveen's mountain yoga performances have transformed him into a true ambassador of wellness, organizing events that bring a sense of collective harmony and well-being among participants. He has come to realize that yoga is not merely an exercise, but a way of life - one that can inflame the passions of mankind and create a better, healthier world. For Praveen, completing 108 Surya namaskar in 45 minutes was a moment of triumph and a sense of achievement.  He wanted to share his experience with others, so he invited 10 yoga teachers to join him in his mission. He trained them, together they formed the 108 SN Team.