Fair enough. But what if taking up Yoga seriously could rather effortlessly take you to places where you’d like to be, literally and figuratively? We strongly recommend going for immersive Yoga retreats or ashram stays regularly – and thereby own these oft-desired but not-discussed-enough benefits of Yoga.
Mindfulness Becomes a Way of Life: The first principle of Yoga postures, unlike other exercises, is concentrating solely on what we’re doing. This is true of both Hatha Yoga’s dynamic poses and Raja Yoga’s gentle poses. The conditioning practice at the start of the session either in Sukhasana or SthitaPrarthanasana sets the tone. All poses are performed slowly and with awareness on where the stretch is felt, where the blood is rushing, all sensations in body parts, limbs, organs. In the final pose — in line with Patanjali’s definition of Asana ‘Sthira Sukham Asanam’ — one needs to be stable and comfortable; if not, we are supposed to correct ourselves. Mindfulness and awareness is the mainstay of Yoga and becomes a habit.
A Correct Posture Becomes Effortless: No matter how slouchy your posture all your life, after ‘being with Yoga’ for a while, one fine day you wake up and realise you stand tall, walk tall. You’re immediately aware when the shoulders are slumped, and correct yourself. This follows naturally from being in constant awareness and mindfulness.
Increase in Efficiency, Willpower, Creativity: The doctor-turned-famous Yogi, Swami Sivananda, says to try Pranayama whenever one feels dejected. “You will be elevated, renovated… Before you begin to write something, an essay, an article or thesis, do Pranayama first. You will bring out beautiful ideas and it will be an inspiring, powerful and original production,” he assures. Very often, people practising a combination of Asana, Pranayama (breathing practices) and relaxation techniques — in the attitude of surrender and in the right ambience — suddenly discover new confidence and even new talents they knew nothing about.
Weight Loss Comes from All Sides: Weight loss in Yoga goes beyond exercising the body. When gradually the mind learns to relax, it is released from the clutches of various thought patterns and stressors. This works at various levels and, even without actively trying, you lose several kgs. Even stubborn cases of hormonal disorder-related weight gain get corrected this way, with the support of a nourishing diet.
You Have Complete Control over Sleep: The reputed Yoga Guru, former scientist at NASA and Chancellor of SVYASA University, Dr H R Nagendra, has no concept of jetlag. He is also known to work through the nights, and yet be at optimum levels of efficiency, alertness, compassion and grace as he chairs meetings, helms and pioneers several initiatives simultaneously, and strikes alliances — all with a smile. Yogic practices of the duration of just half an hour can give rest equivalent to several hours of sleep. To those who practice Yoga, lack of adequate sleep is no cause for irritability or impatience. Neither do they feel the need for vacations for themselves.
Constipation is a Thing of the Past: With just one glass of water upon waking up, movements for 10 minutes, and Pranayama practice for 20 minutes, your digestive system is up and running. For chronic sufferers, there are Asanas that target the abdomen and organs of digestion.
You Can Cure Yourself of Aches and Pains: The practice of Savasana is very handy. After totally relaxing the body and with a feeling of letting go, we focus on each part one by one. This helps energise that part, while also easing out tensions with each exhalation.
You Get Into a Habit of Being Effortlessly Relaxed: The total feeling of ‘let go’ of tension from each crevice and tissue in your body — where your body and its weight belong to the earth, and the mind and its weight belong not to you – is addictive. You cannot bear to be tense anymore, except when a bit of stress (eustress) is necessary for the work at hand.
You Aren’t Afraid of Old Age: Says Yoga Guru and Director of The Yoga Institute, Mumbai, Dr Hansaji Yogendra: “Do you think old age means pains and suffering? Suffering and illness occurs at every age. Yoga says you can prevent problems in old age by managing your body and attitude. Shun `old age’ by living in the present and not in the past or future, having some capacity for adjustment, and going on learning for when that stops, then deterioration starts.
Wake up enthusiastic and joyful and follow the Yoga way of life. This includes giving up responsibility to younger generations post-age 50 — unless they need your guidance — learn to leave and retire, and do something meaningful. Traveling helps make us adaptable and be close to Nature. Post-age 50, take charge of your body, and see how fine you will be!”
The author is a journalist, cancer survivor and certified yoga teacher. She can be reached at swatikamal@gmail.com.
Read More: YogMantra | Extolling the Sublime & Mundane Virtues of Regular Yoga Retreats – News18
