by Shree

Created on: November 28, 2010   Last Updated: November 29, 2010

A friend recently talked to me about her new "power yoga" classes. Practiced in a room at temperatures bordering 90 degrees, it promised an average weight loss of 2 pounds per week. I couldn't help laughing when I heard that. First of all, there is no such thing as "power yoga" in any authentic yoga dictionary. Yoga is an ancient, sacred practice which originated in India and it was by no means a weight loss tool. It's a general well-being tool. Moreover, the weight loss (if any) from a session of power yoga, is mostly water weight that you've perspired.

You can lose that weight by simply sitting in the sauna room of your local gym, with a novel in your hand. There is no need to tie that with something that's at a whole different level like yoga. Several thousands of years ago, Yogis in India did not practice yoga in a room which has artificial heat. In stead, yoga is the very epitome of earthiness... It's unadorned and simple. It can be practiced anywhere. You don't have to be an expert. In fact, I have also realized that there is no specific, "written in stone" set of yoga exercises, which everybody has to do. Absolutely not. In stead, every individual finds a balance by listening to their body and not pushing it too far. Once you have learnt the basics of your own yoga, you are your own teacher, no matter how flawed you may be. Yoga is essentially a mind-body connection. You synchronize your movement with your breathing, hence allowing more blood flow to every cell. Tying yoga with meditation multiplies its benefits by further enforcing the mind-body principle. I will talk in a later article about a simple set of yoga exercises anybody can start with and then modify based on your comfort level.

My first tryst with yoga was almost 4 years ago on a cold winter evening, when I trudged along to my local yoga center. I was armed with a yoga mat and dressed in comfortable yoga attire. Six months pregnant , my belly had grown enormous on my small frame and my back was sore. But that did not stop me from exploring this new rave that was sweeping the country - prenatal yoga. On that day, when I walked into the studio, little did I know it was the beginning of a lifelong bond. After the one hour session, I walked out with not even a trace of back pain, and my mind was fresh and alert. I diligently continued my yoga an meditation classes all through my pregnancy. It was like a one hour energy-giving capsule that helped me power through the rest of the week, till it was time for the next session. Every time, after my class I would walk back home with a calm demeanour, ready to take another stab at living and possibly try to do it better this time.

So, sit up and take notice of that inner yogi  .. make no mistake, my friends, we all have one inside us. Just waiting to be called upon. And when we do call, a world of enlightenment will be opened to us. Every creaking bone in our over-worked bodies, every aching muscle, every pinched nerve will cry out with relief when you ease into that eagle, or cobra or child pose - "yes, yes" , they will cry "..this is what we have wanted all along .. this twist , this stretch , this deep breath .. oh sweet Lord, this is what we have wanted all along .. "

As for me, I have not looked back since that cold evening when I carried my daughter in my womb to our very first tryst with yoga. I have since then , formed a bond with yoga and meditation that will last a lifetime. So if you want to learn the art of living and find your inner balance, yoga is for you.

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