Yoga must for people living in metros, say experts

New Delhi: If your fitness regime is keeping you distressed and unhappy, maybe it’s time you try doing some yoga. What can be a better occasion to embrace this practice than the International Yoga Day itself?

Widely known for its health benefits, yoga is practised in various forms around the world. However, the sole purpose of yoga has always been to help individuals blossom into their fullest potential.

Unlike any other physical exercises, yoga works on an individual’s overall development including one’s mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. In children suffering from ADHD, yoga improves dexterity and brings about a balance thus helping them learn new life skills. Today, when everything in the world is economy driven, we need this ancient science to light our paths.

Adhering to this idea, Prakriti Bohra, a computer science engineer, quit her job after spending 10 years in the corporate field.

“I left everything behind and now I am a full-time yoga instructor,” she said.

According to her, one word that describes her reason for the career switch is contentment.

“I was working in a 9-5 shift and it was very stressful. There was no placidity in me as I felt I was not doing enough. Coming from a family where both my parents are doctors and siblings are in the Armed Forces, I wanted to contribute something to the society. Yoga came into my life just as an activity, which later turned into passion. Now it has become my life,” said Ms Bohra.

When asked how she copes with the boredom of practicing yoga regularly without getting any daily rewards, she said, “For me, it’s just the opposite of boredom. It’s so compelling that I won’t miss my practice for any reason. A few years back, I was just the opposite. I used to sleep at 4.00 am and get up at 10.00 am. But now every day I get up at 3.45 am. First, I freshen up, take shower, and then start my practice. Generally, I meditate for 25 minutes and do 20 minutes of chanting, which is followed by a 1.5 hours of asana practice daily.

“Who says you don’t get any daily rewards? You do get rewarded daily in terms of becoming a happier, calmer, and tolerant person. This is important for people living in Metro cities like Delhi or Mumbai. After yoga, you feel super energetic for the entire day.”

For Jassi, another modern-day yogi who is an RJ with BigFM, yoga is important because it helps her keep fit and doesn’t make her tired.

She said, “Unlike other physical workouts, yoga is not body-centric. When you work out at the gym, do cardio, or run, you will notice that you get tired by the end of it all. But that’s not the case with yoga. Instead of getting tired, you feel recharged and rejuvenated. Hence, I decided to do a course in yoga.”

Like Jassi and Prakriti, there are lots of people who practise yoga at their homes, parks, or studios. They are in a way the guardians of this age-old art of living and being.