I was always fascinated with the idea of
yoga and a yogic lifestyle since my childhood days. As a teenager, I would read
about yoga poses in magazines and watch yoga programs on TV and try to copy
them. I thought of it as an exercise form which would keep me fit.
It was not till much later in life, when I
understood what yoga really is. In my 30’s I was a regular visitor to the gym.
I also took up running and ran the Silicon Valley
half marathon. Around the same time, I started developing stiffness and pain in
my neck and back area. After numerous visits to physical therapists and
chiropractors, I was barely able to manage the pain but not totally eliminate
it. My neighbor, who was a yoga and meditation teacher, advised me to try her
class. After taking the class, I started realizing that my pain subsides when I
focus my breath and attention to the pain area. It was a revelation to me that
yoga was not just about physical fitness. It provides a holistic approach to
life which heals the whole body, mind and spirit complex.
Excited by my new discovery, I started
practicing simple yoga poses with attention to breath and problem areas in the
body. Within a month my pain had totally vanished. My doctor was surprised and
curious about what had healed me. After this point I continued my practice,
adding Sun Salutations and more advanced poses. Slowly I started feeling more
energetic, peaceful and happy. I felt I had become more dynamic and youthful.
This gave me a new zest for life, which people around me also started noticing.
In addition to poses, I also started
adapting a holistic lifestyle, adding meditation and breathing practices to my
daily routine. I started eating more fresh, natural foods, reduced unhealthy
habits such as sleeping very late and watching too much TV, specially violent
programs. By changing these habits, I felt more and more peaceful and was able
to focus on my work and other enriching activities such as singing, spending
quality time with my family and creative writing.
Today I feel that Yoga is a beautiful way
of life, which makes life a celebration. I see so many of my friends go through
life with stress, ill-heath, and many other related problems. I was lucky to
discover yoga and change my life. It has really put me in touch with myself and
changed my whole outlook towards life.
- By Manisha Verma
- By Manisha Verma
