Yoga not only cures diseases but help prevent lifestyle disorders

It is often seen that people turn to yoga after they suffer from some ailment. Experts, on the occasion of International Yoga Day, suggested that why not start practising the art much before you become a victim of any disease. They said that yoga is extremely effective in management of diseases in which psychological and social factors, such as stress, play a major role. 

During a camp organized at Motijheel ground, a city-based yoga expert Om Prakash Anand, who is an author of nearly 20 books on benefits of practising different 'asanas' of yoga, said that yoga not only cures diseases but also helps prevent lifestyle disorders. Lifestyle diseases, which are also chronic in nature, such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer, strokes etc are the biggest public health challenges being faced by the society which can be prevented by yoga. He said that nearly 2% of total yoga enthusiasts are the one who have incorporated the art in their daily routine without suffering from any prior disease. 

"Yoga can help prevent lifestyle diseases. Basically, practising yoga can help change the lifestyle and thus contributes in prevention of these diseases. People suffering from lifestyle diseases have increased drastically. We see that people turn to yoga only after they have tried several medicines. They come to us only after losing hope in medicines. However, each one of us, whether young or adult, should practise yoga, not just to cure the disease but to prevent it," he said. 

Anand said that different asanas of yoga should be practised only under the strict guidance of a yoga teacher. "Yoga is an art. If you are a beginner, it is strictly recommended that you first learn it under the guidance of an yoga expert and then practise it," he said. 

Sharing her experience, Asha Agarwal, a local, said that after her two sons got married and settled in Delhi, the mere thought of being alone hit her badly. As a result, she suffered from the problem of gastroenteritis. "I tried different medicines, like allopathy and homeopathy etc, but nothing could give me relief. Then a friend of mine suggested me to do yoga, and it really did wonders on me. I can eat anything now and the problem never aggravates. Giving 30 minute to yoga daily is not a tough task. It seems to be difficult but instead it is very easy and relaxing," she said. 

Similarly, another local, Radhey Shyam Mishra said that yoga has helped him control his sugar. "I am a diabetic for the past 15 years now. Initially, my sugar used to reach 400 level due to which I had to take insulin injections frequently. However, practising different yoga asanas have given me a second life. I tell all my friends and children to include yoga in their daily routine before it is too late", he said.

Keep Calm and Do Yoga..!!!

SpiceJet takes yoga to the skies; over 180 passengers,crew members performs asanas mid-air

With the stage set for International Yoga Day this Sunday, yoga asanas were performed mid-air at 35,000 feet above the sea-level, arguably the first time ever!

The asanas called Upayoga or useful yoga were performed as a trial-run aboard the Delhi-Guwahati and Guwahati-Delhi flights of budget airline SpiceJet with over 180 passengers and crew.

The Gurgaon-based carrier has teamed up with Isha Foundation of Sadhguru to conduct mid-air yoga 

sessions on its selected Boeing                                                                

 flights on Sunday, which is being observed as International Yoga Day.

Talking about the yogic postures demonstrated, Gita, a teacher with the Isha Foundation said the session was designed to reduce stress for passengers who travel long hours.

“These are safe, simple postures which can be done by anyone, and can be practiced anytime and anywhere. They help in relieving stress accumulated in the upper neck and spine region,” Gita told PTI.

The passengers on board, who had no clue about the onboard yoga demonstration, were mostly taken by surprise, but observed the postures being performed keenly with some even joining along.

“Yoga on flight is good. People travel for different reasons- business, meetings, leisure. And everyone carries different stress. Such an exercise will benefit them, because it helps us relax,” said

Dhritismita, a passenger.

Spicejet said this was part of its endeavour to do something new for passengers. “Since yoga day is being sponsored by India, it is very important for us. Initially we had planned to distribute pamphlets and CDs from Isha Foundation, but then we got the idea that we’ll make our own crew do yoga on board,” Senior Vice President In-flight Services Kamal K Hingorani said.

The airline will have its crew perform yoga on about 22-25 flights on June 21. They will be distributing CDs and pamphlets as well about the practice and benefits of yoga.

The flights for on board yoga have been selected keeping in mind minimal turbulences so as to allow a hassle free 15 minute yoga demonstration, along with a minimum two-hour long flight duration, said Hingorani.

Many passengers attempted to follow the volunteers as they were seen rotating their necks, shoulders and arms, while sitting on their seats.“It’s such a great idea. So good for creating awareness,” businessman Ramesh Makwana said

.

Some travellers, however, could not decide how good or bad this trend of taking yoga to aeroplanes is. “I have always done yoga in the morning, so after having my meal this was not very relevant for me. But it’s a new experience and there is a long demand for yoga now. Who knows it may catch on,” said another passenger Prabhjyoti Chaddha.