Yoga is said to be the journey of the self, through the self, to the self. With the help of yoga, we inherit a greater connection between the mind and body. It aids us to achieve peace and serenity in our everyday world of chaos, and also increases our physical strength.
Vikram Singh Tomar, who specialises in Patanjali yoga sutra (traditional yoga) and power yoga and teaches yoga therapy at MIT Loni Kalbhor, follows a strict regime. He wakes up at 4.30 am, and starts his morning ritual with pranayam at 5 am. This is followed by asanas and resting postures. He believes early morning exercise “provides you with energy for the entire day.”
Yoga mainly focuses on improving flexibility and strength training, the postures nourish your body from the inside out. It also helps strengthen muscles around the spine, the core and the limbs. He considers yoga to reinforce a “multidimensional muscle usage”. Tomar says, “Once we understand the four planes of asanas, we can make the core muscles of the body strong and improve flexibility.’’
Coupling yoga with an organic diet aids in digestion and eliminates acid reflux. Tomar follows a vegetarian diet, which includes “natural proteins, vegetables, soy milk and nuts.” When asked about his preferences, he says, “I keep it organic without any chemically processed junk.” He affirms the fact that proper eating habits help cleanse toxins from the body. To reap maximum benefits, one must also control body weight. “Excess weight can put stress on our organs to work faster than usual,’’ he says.
Breathing patterns are the essence of both yoga and gymming, but are stated to be different. Tomar informs, “In yoga, we exhale while releasing a posture or position, however, when gymming we exhale while exerting.”
Breathing in yoga has both a biological and mental effect, it affects the hypothalamus that controls our emotions and helps us relax. “The pace of breath also decides the extent to which we can hold the postures, a fast/ hasty breath would get you tired more quickly, however, more relaxed breathing would help one to hold the posture longer and assist them to test their limits,” he says.
Posture is said to be the quintessence of yoga, because without the right posture all the benefits would be lost. “If the posture is right, the contraction of the muscle would be correct. If the posture is wrong, there would be an uneven pressure on the joints, bones and tendons, which could lead to injuries,” says Tomar.
There is a range of postures that prove that yoga not only helps in flexibility but also helps in muscle building. “Arm balances and inversion poses help both the major and minor muscles while supporting the body. Bhujangasana stretches the muscles in the shoulders, chest, abdomen, arms, and decreases stiffness in the lower back. Vajrasana relieves stomach problems and builds muscles in the lower back, legs and thighs. Pavanamuktasana eliminates air in the stomach and stretches muscles of the entire body. Sarvangasana is therapeutic for thyroid, cardiovascular fitness, nervous system and a nourishment for all the muscles. All yoga poses are known to awake at least three to four muscles, that’s why it’s a beneficial exercise for the complete body,” he says.
A healthy mind lives in a healthy body. To obtain a healthy mind, sleeping patterns are immensely crucial. Before sleeping, Tomar insures to practise a few pranayam exercises and stretches to relax the muscles of the lower back and neck. This helps him get seven to eight hours of sleep.
Yoga has countless benefits, which is why this ancient form of exercise has gained worldwide popularity. And the best part is that you can practise it at home without any fancy fitness gear or equipments.
