|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 14 March 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Magazine |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
by Umangi de Mel
"Yoga is a union of body, and soul", says Ovida Keuneman, artist and Yoga instructor. "It focuses on the physical postures called 'asanas' and breathing techniques called 'pranayama'. A combination of both is called 'Hatha Yoga' which includes postures and breathing", she says. Within 'Hatha Yoga' there are many styles such as 'Astanga' and 'Jiva mukti', she says. "Each guru who teaches Yoga emphasises on a particular aspect of Yoga. Some do it with jumps and make it more athletic where as others emphasise on a more meditative aspect of it, which is slower". Ovida says that 'Yoga' originated in India and was practised by the 'Rishi's' in the caves of the Himalayas. "Some people regard Yoga as a divine science of life.
Having to face the daily stresses, people resort to taking tranquilisers, pills on alcohol but Yoga can help to reduce stress without all that", she says and adds that 'Asanas' and 'Pranayama' lubricate the body so that the joints run smoothly while the internal organs are toned. She says that it helps to increase the blood circulation as well. "Yoga can be started at any age by anybody. The young and the old, the fit and the unfit ... it's to be adapted to each one's physical state". In its highest form, 'Yoga' can be a healing method", If you are dedicated and practise the meditation and Yogic exercises intensely, then you can develop powers of healing. One should learn to heal one's self first and eventually that person can heal others as well", Ovida explains. Yoga enables you to be physically healthy, gain peace of mind and spiritually transcend your body, eventually, says Ovida. "Though it begins with your body, when you reach a certain point, you transcend your body".
As a result, the secretion from the ductless glands helps to keep your main organs in working order". Yoga could be physically challenging but it all depends on what you do and how you approach it. Yoga also allows greater self awareness of mind and practise. It builds confidence and eventually helps you gain peace. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
Yoga is a practice, an exercise or a combination of psychological and
physical discipline that has roots running back 5000 years. Being one of
the oldest sciences of life, Yoga has become a famous technique for
well-being, in the present society.
It was revealed to enlightened sages who were in deep meditation.
There's evidence by a number of seals carved on stones showing figures in
Yogic postures", she says adding that they were excavated in the
'Indus' valley dating from 3000 BC. Yoga seems to be the key to physical
fitness, stress and well-being. "It helps to de-stress you.
Speaking about Yogic postures, she reveals that there's stretching and
deep bends, "Plus there are twists to the body and inverted positions
like head stand, hand stand and shoulder stand. It's difficult since you
accompany it with breathing techniques, (pranayama) which stimulate the
endocrine system and ductless glands.
