Yoga – A Journey to Wellness

“Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured.” 

B.K.S. Iyengar 

Yoga is often described as a journey to the self, and it cultivates harmony within and without. It plays a crucial role in promoting mental well-being for individuals with disabilities, addressing issues like anxiety, depression and stress as the practice of Yoga goes beyond physical postures; it encompasses a holistic approach that integrates the mind, body and breath.  In today’s fast-paced world, finding balance and peace can be challenging. Yoga offers a holistic approach to achieving physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Adaptive yoga is a way of making the practice of yoga more accessible to everyone, no matter their shape, mobility, weight, and energy level. This makes it perfect for people with disabilities – even those in wheelchairs! With Adaptive Yoga, traditional poses are tailored to the physical body, rather than fitting and forcing the body into a particular pose and shape. Coupled with breathing, props such as blankets, chairs, yoga straps, and blocks to meet the unique needs of individuals with different abilities are used. It helps in improving mental health and reducing stress levels, better physical well-being and flexibility, and can be practiced anywhere .

Following are some of the benefits of yoga:

• Specific poses such as Downward Dog and Child’s Pose target different muscle groups, promoting overall physical health.
• Techniques like Pranayama (breathing exercises) and Meditation calm the mind, improve focus, and foster a sense of inner peace.
• Practices like Chanting and Mantra Meditation can deepen this spiritual connection, providing a sense of purpose and fulfilment.
• Joining a yoga class or community can provide a supportive environment for personal growth. Sharing experiences and practicing together fosters a sense of belonging and mutual support, which is essential for holistic healing.

Summer holidays is a time when there is least physical activity for students. Online yoga sessions for the People of Determination community were arranged twice in a week in association with Samudra Yoga Studio in Dubai. Samudra Yoga is a place to gather for yoga, meditation, community, and personal exploration. They offer mindful, meditative, and invigorating yoga that is fun, healing, and supportive, empowering students to live joyfully on and off the mat. The online sessions were well received by the parents, following which a session was arranged in the studio on 1st September. This yoga studio and retreat center welcomes practitioners of all levels, fostering a community focused on well-being through yoga and fitness classes.

An hour-long session lasted for over two hours, and it was surprising to see PoDs of all age groups quite immersed in the session. The session comprised of meditation, yoga, sound healing and aerial yoga. Sound Healing is a powerful therapy that combines different healing sounds, music, and sound healing instruments to improve multidimensional well-being by creating a beautiful experience where all layers of luminous energy field (body, mind, soul, spirit) are awakened gently and lovingly. The calmness and serenity in the dimly lit studio took us into a trance. The participants followed instructions well and with support from the well-trained yoga instructors, they were able to do most of the yoga postures.

Aerial yoga is quite like mat yoga only that it utilizes a hammock or yoga swing (suspended from the ceiling) to allow you to perform a diverse range of poses you can’t normally do on a traditional yoga mat. It is a mixture of yoga and Pilates, aerial arts, and acrobatics. The kids absolutely loved the experience. Initially it was challenging to get the knack of it, but they soon overcame their fears and performed few asanas in the swing. Overall, it was a very enriching session enjoyed by all.

Yoga is more than just a physical exercise; it’s a comprehensive practice that nurtures the body, mind, and spirit. By incorporating yoga into your daily routine, you can embark on a transformative journey towards holistic health and well-being. Whether you’re seeking physical healing, mental clarity, or spiritual growth, yoga offers a path to a healthier, happier life.

Nisha Tandon