While yoga is being marketed globally for its therapeutic and holistic benefits after two high-profile celebrations of the International Day of Yoga, it’s start-up problems that bedevil new enthusiasts of the ancient practice. With so many forms and interpretations in currency, it’s not always easy finding the right yoga instructor. “I like to use the analogy of the blindfolded men trying to identify an elephant,” says Vasant Jajoo, who blends therapeutic elements of the Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana with the form popularised by B.K.S. Iyengar, at his studio in Bengaluru.
Over time, yoga inculcates mindfulness and awareness. As Mr. Jajoo says, “In its entirety, yoga is a way of life that will slowly change the way you perceive the world.” But first, you need to find a teacher who can guide you on this path.
1. Discuss your goals: “Beginners should not get bogged down by the different schools of yoga, but should concentrate on finding an experienced teacher who can guide them on this journey,” says Mr. Jajoo, who has been teaching and practising yoga for nearly15 years. He suggests word of mouth over apps that promise to send a teacher to your doorstep. “Don’t hesitate to get reviews from existing students. Discuss your goals and expectations, so that everyone is on the same page.”
3. Don’t hide your health problems: The relationship between an instructor and a student is one that is built on honesty, much like a doctor or a patient. Mr. Jajoo advises people to discuss their health problems. For instance, if you have a bad knee or a weak back or are prone to migraines, you should tell your teacher in advance. Some asanas can provide relief; others can exacerbate the problem. He gives the example of shirshasana or the headstand. “A trained yoga therapist will know that a student with cervical spondylosis should not be allowed to attempt shirshasana. But the asana is known to help people prone to migraines. A yoga therapist should be able to modify an asana to suit a person’s needs.”
4. Go slow: Hatha yoga practitioner Ratna V. does not introduce new students to complicated series such as the surya namaskar, which has at least 12 steps, immediately. “Students have to learn how to hold each posture correctly, and the right breathing techniques. Even in a group class, a teacher should be able to spot a student who is struggling with a pose and correct them gently,” she says.
5. Do not ignore meditation and pranayama: Pranayama exercises your lungs, helps you become more aware of your body and is a vital part of yoga. Here, too, teachers should exercise caution. Some of the breathing exercises should not be taught to beginners or people recovering from a laparoscopy or other surgeries, say experts.
anjali.thomas@thehindu.co.in