Written By: Debjani Arora | Updated : December 14, 2017 3:18 PM IST
Yoga is going places today. It has almost become a fashion statement. We see pictures of celebrities film stars, athletes, entrepreneurs practising yoga all over the glossy magazines or the social media sites. Even with so much acceptance and mass appeal, still, the common people aren t lapping up its benefits the way they should. There is something about yoga that makes us tell ourselves This is not for me. And this feeling is what keeps many of us from trying yoga, which has the potential to transform lives by improving your health and by imparting mental peace.
So, to debunk some modern-day myths that we urbanites still have about yoga, we got talking to the young and eclectic yoga guru Sarvesh Shashi, founder of Zobra Yoga, who left his father s successful business venture to follow his passion. Here is an excerpt of the same:
Most people I know (who don t practice yoga) think yogis are a different breed and yoga is not for everyone. Have you ever come across such people? Ever tried convincing them to try yoga?
In today s world where we all know that yoga can do wonders for us, instead of embracing its benefits, there are people who think otherwise. Many think all yogis are hippies. But restassured, not all yogis are long-bearded or wear traditional kurta-pyjamas, preaching the benefits of yoga to anyone and everyone. I have been practising and teaching yoga for many years now and I am firmly planted in the real world and won t bore you to tears with talks about the colour of your aura. The intangible elements, like balancing the chakras play a big part in many people s practices, but sometimes leaving that part out makes the whole thing seem a little less intimidating to others. I d go even further and say that most yogis you ll meet in your community look more like you and me and nothing like the image of the yogi you have imagined.
The pictures of yoga experts or celebrities practising the asanas are so perfect that it intimidates most of us and people end up believing that they might be bad at yoga, especially non-exercises, any advice for them?
There is no such thing as being bad at yoga. You could have the flexibility of the Tin Man wrapped in steel but you still will be good at yoga. You might be able to hold some asanas for less than a minute and others might be holding the same asanas for more than 4-5 minutes. That does not make them better than you. They may have simply developed certain skills or strengths that you still need to work on. But they re no different from you. For all you know, when they started they felt the same way looking at people who seemed so perfect practising those asanas.
Some stay away from yoga thinking it is a super-serious practice and there is no fun element attached to it.
Yoga is as much fun as any other possible workout could be. There are teachers who follow that traditional route and are extremely passionate and serious about yoga. However, times are changing and teachers have started exploring fun ways to engage with their students especially the younger ones. There are unique types of yoga that make it wholehearted, joyful and downright hilarious. Some examples are basketball yoga, aerial yoga, paddle boat yoga, etc.
And the eternal myth that yoga only means stretching and doing asanas is still believed by many. What is your take on that?
Yoga is a form of science; it is an amalgamation of art and skill. It is a way of life. Anybody who is willing to make use of it can benefit from it. Those who have not experienced yoga may consider it to be effortless with little or no results. But depending on the style of yoga, it can be particularly intense for beginners as well as for advanced practitioners. To perfect yoga, you need dedication and practice and yes it is not just about stretches and asanas it calls for overall body strength. If one is serious about the subject, work with proper alignment, manoeuvres with one s own body weight, yoga helps in imparting strength to every muscle of the body. Some choose to practice yoga for just the physical benefits but over time, they also realise it transforms them mentally, establishing a body-mind-soul sync that imparts peace and tranquillity to them. So, yoga is beyond stretches and asanas.
People, who want to lose weight, refrain from doing yoga thinking it is only for skinny people, your advice for them?
Although there are skinny yogis out there, all body types, ages, genders practice yoga too. Yoga can help one lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle no matter the body type. Different forms of yoga are available for everyone to receive the benefits. Do not be discouraged looking at people who look fitter than you doing yoga. You will get there eventually.
People, who take up yoga think it is risk-free and don t pay too much attention in following the rules of the asanas to the core, how damaging that could be?
Yoga, unlike a lot of other workouts, is relatively safe. Provided you perform all the asanas in proper form, by paying close attention to your body, staying hydrated and modifying poses according to your skill level. However, if you practice incorrectly, in rare cases, yoga can cause pain in the body or may lead to nerve damage. It is always advised to practice yoga with a professional.
Image source: Zobra Yoga Studio
