Baldeep PooniDEEPThe art of self-surrender as a mystic is what the author known solely as Deep finds most important.Deep is a first generation American from Punjabi Ancestry. In Punjabi, the word 'Deep' means 'A Beacon of Light.' In English, 'Deep' means far belo the surface. Mixing his Punjabi heritage and his American upbringing, Deep brings a new understanding of light to the world. A Beacon of Light from far below the surface. Whether it be as a mystic, yogi, yoga therapist or through his new book of poetry and short stories, innocence, Deep would like to help others look within and merge their light with darkness.This is Deep.Growing up in low-income housing on the southside of Richmond, Virginia and not speaking English until the age of 7, Deep overcame obstacles early on in life. Now, as a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University with a B.A. in History & Religious Studies, as well as the founder & owner of DeepElevation LLC, Deep brings the practical, creative and spiritual approach to all his endeavors. DeepElevation LLC, his company, integrates the life concepts of depth & elevation with the practical applications of bodily transformation to help clients create change for themselves on all levels. These levels include physical, creative, mental, emotional and spiritual means. Deep's life is a series of transitions. One notable transition was the shift in direction from studying to be an inner-city high school history teacher to then, just living life for a few years without structure or purpose, traveling the world by himself. These nomadic years of choosing an unorthodox life led Deep to explore himself through various spiritual traditions. Three traditions that influenced Deep profoundly were Yoga, Sikhism and Islam, all rooted in the balance between the practical and mystical sides of the traditions. Deep grew up as a Sikh and still practices the Sikh concept of selfless service, but recently, he has declared himself as a Muslim and passionately practices Islam. In relation to Yoga, Deep traveled to India as he felt called to the ancestral space where Yoga originated. Over the years, he studied and trained with teachers there in Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, Mysore, Pranayama, Yoga Nidra, and other traditional methods, and occasionally began to teach some of what he learned around the world. Deep has taught internationally and domestically in the USA in a variety of environments including prisons, public schools, hospitals, mental health clinics, rehabilitation centers, and even war zones - specifically in Lebanon, Punjab, India and various cities in the USA.In addition to the above, Deep has many passions including skateboarding, fashion, abstract & contemporary art, meditation and various physical and mental exercises. The culmination of all his experiences led Deep to his forthcoming poetry book, innocence. innocence, releasing September 28th, expresses the vulnerability and depth of exploring the parts of ourselves that are natural and native to us and not influenced by the external world and society. The feeling, experience and later the idea of innocence came to Deep between 2019-2020 when he saw a space for rebirth; a death of the old to bring about a new role into the world for himself; a role that connected his innocence throughout all his phases in life. The book is filled with poems and created to be experienced by the reader with their own emotions, experiences and thoughts. The book is heavily based on creating a space for feeling emotions and detachment. Deep will be donating 50% of his book profits to Khalsa Aid & Islamic Relief. Read More Read Less