MY EXPERIENCE WITH YOGA

Yoga is a great way to work on our flexibility and strength. Just about everyone can do it. Some types of yoga are about relaxation. In others, you move more. Most types focus on learning poses, called Asanas. They also usually include attention to breathing. Today it is practiced in various forms around the world and continues to grow in popularity.

I as a child was very much into physical activities and sports.  I had the opportunity to attend a few yoga classes. There was a local community club in our area and every Sunday yoga sessions were held there. Yoga had recently become popular then because of the massive emergence of Yoga Guru (read entrepreneur) Baba Ramdev with his Patanjali Yoga. This was the year 2001.

I had faded memories of attending the yoga sessions amongst the huge number of people who attended every Sunday. There were two gurus who came from a nearby Asharam and I discreetly remember the lady who was very graceful and kind to her students (read yogis). I use to go to the club with my brother and mother and had fun.

This went on for a while but gradually the people attending those sessions started decreasing. Maybe that’s how things are. Everything loses its shine with time. People like to relax and layback on lazy Sundays and generally don’t like to spend it on (unnecessary) activities like Yoga. After all we don’t want to miss the Assamese Film in our favorite news channel, do we? 

I remember those days and now realize the benefits of yoga, now that I have learned about its benefits. Recognizing its universal appeal, on 11 December 2014, the United Nations proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of Yoga by resolution 69/131. The International Day of Yoga aims to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practicing yoga. It made me really happy as I too have my birthday on the same day. I don’t practice yoga every day but try to attend sessions whenever possible.

HISTORY OF YOGA

Yoga is a mind and body practice with a 5,000-year history in ancient Indian philosophy. Various styles of yoga combine physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation or relaxation.

The "Yoga Sutra," a 2,000-year-old piece on yogic philosophy by the Indian sage Patanjali, is a guidebook on how to master the mind, control the emotions, and grow spiritually. The Yoga Sutra is the earliest written record of yoga and one of the oldest texts in existence and provides the framework for all modern yoga.

FORMS OF YOGA

In more recent years, it has become popular as a form of physical exercise based upon poses that promote improved control of the mind and body and enhance well-being. There are several different types of yoga and many disciplines within the practice.

There are many simple yoga positions that can be easily practiced which are very much helpful to maintain a healthy body. Some of them are Shava Asana or the Corpse pose, Bjungasana or the Cobra pose, Adho Mukha Svanasana, Balasana or the Child pose and the Uttanasana or the forward bending pose.

Yoga is quintessentially a necessity of the present human being. With all the modern day work stress and unhealthy food habits added with the pollution of city life the body needs its nourishment. Yoga helps in rejuvenating the body, mind and soul and thereby gives you the strength to cope up with the daily life.

Nishanta Sharma

1st Semester

DCJ, GU