Sowmya, a primary-school teacher is surprised how her acute shoulder pain vanished overnight after she started taking yoga classes. “I can’t believe that the pain hasn’t returned even once in the last 10 days. And this is when I had almost trained myself to write on the blackboard with my left hand as I had difficulty in lifting my right hand for writing,” says Sowmya, one among the 15-odd teachers of Laskhmi School who attended a 20-day beginner course in Yoga organised by the Sivananda Yoga Centre.
The school management which found teachers suffering from lifestyle diseases like hypertension and diabetes, decided to put them through a yoga course and the transformation is now here on record for everyone to see. Some are relieved from chronic pains, some have lost kilos while some others have gotten the sleep cycle regularised. “We are grateful to the school for sponsoring the course. It has been extremely beneficial,” says Rayburn Francis, a High-school teacher who has lost four kilos in flat 20 days. “Even my students were noticing me thinning everyday,”” he smiles, I have lost my chubbiness and I am happy.”
The set of teachers agree that they found it difficult initially. “We used to frown while stretching our limbs, but now we do it with a smile,” says Kumar, “I am anaemic and used to feel dizzy often. Now I feel more energetic.” Maheswari, another teacher says her urge to overeat snack items has come down. “I feel fresh for a longer part of the day. My temper levels have dipped too.” Vishnupriya, a participant in the course is motivated to pursue Yoga further. “I see more number of younger people taking up Yoga. It’s no more an oldie’s thing. Yoga has become hip and I quite like it.”
The Yoga beginners’ course offered by Sivananda Yoga Centre is a combination of Surya Namaskar – a set of 12 postures, meditation and a dozen basic asanas devised to ensure basic fitness. “Surya Namaskar is holistic and is beneficial for every joint in the body,” says Yashpal, yoga trainer. “Quick repetition of Surya Namaskar with few minutes of rest in between ensures relaxation of knotted muscles and stiff joints. That’s how one achieves flexibility of the body.”
Some of the basic asanas included in the course are Sarvanga, Hala, Matsya, Bhujanga, Dhanur and Trikona. “These asanas when practised regularly facilitate proper blood circulation to all parts of the body,” says Yashpal. “Yoga is an ancient form of fitness regime, but is very relevant even today. Regularity is important to experience its results.” “Modern lifestyle and hectic work schedules have taken a toll on our fitness. Only if people take some time out and pursue Yoga, will they realise its benefits,” he adds. Sivananda Yoga Centre also holds classes for kids, women and people of all age groups at its K.K.Nagar centre.
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