This pandemic has taught us one thing - if there is life then there is a world. Immunity is very important for the survival of any life. Yoga is very helpful in maintaining immunity. This pandemic has increased the importance of yoga even more. Yoga is a way of life. Practicing it regularly can not only help in maintaining immunity but helps in attaining a healthy body and mind. The world celebrates the International Day of Yoga every year on the 21st of June. We at Medicircle, are conducting a series on this yoga day to lend the helping hand to the goal of fitness through yoga.

Jignesh, well known by the name Antar. From the age of 19, he got a chance to live in the ashram with his guru. In these 15 years, he has learned different yoga practices, asanas, pranayama. Having lived that simple life, unadulterated life made him seek deeper knowledge about yoga as a whole. Antar is a yoga scholar. He is the founder of the American Alliance registered yoga school, Atmasmaran yoga school. Recently his article has been released in an International published book.

Kruti aka Anand is a former psychological researcher and perpetual yogi is known for compassionate center philosopher. She has started yoga practice and breathing exercises from a very young age. She lived in a spiritual commune for two years after completing her academics and there she insightfully realized that the way of life in its true essence is yog. Anand is the faculty member of Atmasmaran yoga school and Yoga Therapist too.

Jignesh expresses, “Yoga word comes from the word unity. Because of the current pandemic inside and outside the world of our body is detached from one another. Whatever we perceive or act corresponds to our inner world. And from the outside, we are getting healthy, beautiful, and technologically advanced day by day. But the strings that bind both the world are getting weakened. We have seen examples of many people around us who are physically strong, mentally fit, and socially renowned but don't know how to manage their relationship.”

Jignesh emphasizes, “Yoga is playing a huge role in connecting both the worlds. Yoga makes our life like a coconut which is hard from the outside but soft from inside. The outside world act as a shell that protects, nourishes, and keeps our inner system healthy.”

Jignesh voices, "Exercise and yoga both are two different things. Both have significant roles to play. It's up to you what you want out of you. Exercise keeps you physically and mentally strong but yoga boosts your inner strength. After doing yoga, you feel a sense of calmness, relaxed and fresh but doing exercise makes you tired. Asanas of yoga are systematically controlled, it synchronizes our entire body, help in achieving harmony, bring awareness. While doing asanas, a conscious part of our mind is involved. All these connections open a different direction"

Jignesh adds, "Patanjali, the father of yoga has divided yoga into eight limbs – yam, niyam, asan, pranayam, pratyahar, dhyaan, dharnaa, samadhi. So, comparing exercise and yoga is no way right. Both have their importance."

Kruti tells, "There is no specific time given as to how long one should practice yoga every day. Traditionally, you can practice yoga for 40 minutes per day. 40 minutes is the ideal time. To get the best result out of any yoga practice or meditation, minimum you have to practice for 40 minutes. And for busy people, at least 20 minutes of yoga practice is needed for their practice to work on.

Kruti adds, “As per Patanjali, you should keep doing an asana until you get steadiness. It is important to practice in the right way and not just practice for long hours. Quality matters than quantity. Balance is very much needed in yoga."

Jignesh speaks, “Patanjali categorizes diet in three ways -  

Rajasik Food – This includes spicy food, fizzy energy drinks, fried, roasted, curries. This food acts as a body stimulant and excites passion. Tamasik Food – This includes alcohol, tobacco, onion, garlic. This makes the body dull, lazy, and drowsy. It takes a long time to digest. Satvik Food – This includes fresh fruits and vegetables. Easily digestible. Food is fresh and nutritive. This food is recommended for yoga practitioners”

Jignesh points, “You all should give a try, eating different types of food and then watch out your behaviors, emotions, and reactions after eating them. You are what you eat. A person’s eating style tells a lot about his behavior. Experience it first and then discover it.”

(Edited by Renu Gupta)