Irrespective of the style, more and more are taking to yoga. Whether to attain ‘inner peace’ or simply relax or maintain fitness, the ancient Indian practice has been attracting many to its fold. With the aim of spreading awareness about the benefits of the discipline, city-based yoga training institute School of Santhi is organising an open yoga session on the Museum premises on the occasion of International Yoga Day on June 21.
“The event is open for anyone, especially beginners, interested in experiencing a taste of yoga. The elementary-level demonstration will help participants get a hang of some basic postures and stances,” says writer and filmmaker Sreebala K Menon, a volunteer with School of Santhi.
Led by yoga master Kannan Shanmugham, the two-hour session, organised in association with the Indian Council of Cultural Relations, is designed towards providing a condensed hands-on experience of the “traditional” style of yoga followed by the yoga centre, says Sreebala. “It’s not just about the exercises but it’s also important for one to know why he/she learns yoga. Only then can it be practised properly,” she adds.
Kannan says age is no bar to learn yoga. “After an introductory session on the physical, mental and spiritual benefits of regular practice of yoga, we will be doing some light exercises to limber up. The demonstration concludes with a session on the various methods of pranayama followed by group meditation,” he explains.
The group yoga session will be held by the gazebo at the Napier Museum. Yoga mats will be provided for participants, while loose-fitting comfortable clothes are recommended, says S D Ajith, a volunteer with School of Santhi for 12 years. “The session will be informal but conducted in line with this year’s International Yoga Day theme, which is Climate Action. We will be exploring through demonstration some of the key sitting and standing asanas such as ardhakati chakrasana , padahastasana , ardha chakrasana , vajrasana and so on,” says Ajith.
Swami Shantiprasad, yoga teacher and founder of School of Santhi, says that yoga, which has evolved over the centuries, is more than just a fitness fad. “Nowadays, yoga has been limited to practising of asanas and breathing exercises. It is much more than that. Such a public demonstration is intended to spread awareness of its larger benefits to the common man,” says Shantiprasad from Stockholm where he teaches at the School of Santhi’s centre in Sweden.
It’s time to bend it like a yogi.
(School of Santhi’s yoga session will be held on the Museum premises on June 21 from 7 am. Contact: 9895318323)
