Bhubaneswar: June 20: ‘Karo yog raho nirog’ meaning ‘Practice yoga and lead a disease free life’ is what every member of Swastik Yog Shivir have a firm belief.
This group formed in 2014, practices ‘yoga’ daily for two hours (5–7 am) at the Jharpada high school playground under the guidance of yoga guru Sri Pratap Kumar Mishra. These two hours of yoga session is split into three phases – Yogic jogging that covers all kinds of stretching and aerobics, done to warm up the body. Followed by yogic jogging are the different kinds of Asanas – that involves turning and twisting of each part of the body to carve abdomen and other fats in the body, make the joints free, etc. And the last bit is the Pranayama – exercising and controlling the ‘breathe’, which controls and regulates our life.
Sri Mishra who voluntarily has been teaching yoga to the group members is trained on yoga from Swami Ramdev. He envisages seeing healthy people around him, and therefore generates health awareness among people by disseminating about benefits of yoga and its potential to cure diseases. He strongly believes, that the present day diseases like diabetes, blood pressure, chronic acidity, spondalitis, stress caused by the imbalance and unhealthy life style can be cured with regular practice of yoga. ‘With a right frame of mind, we can very well eliminate life style diseases among the masses’, says the yoga guru.
Many members of this group have largely been benefited from the yoga practice. Sri Ranjan Mohanty, who suffered from severe acidity, after trying all kinds of medicines, ultimately got relief by doing yoga. ‘Yoga did wonders on me, and there was end to my pain’, says Mr. Mohanty. Dr. Sahadev Swain, who was obese, have lost around 10 kgs after practising yoga for 45 days. ‘I feel very light, young and energetic’, says Dr. Swain. Sanjukta Dash, a senior member of this group has something good to say about the way it is done. She says, ‘The best part of this shivir is that we do yoga in a natural atmosphere – on the ground, under the open sky, and the soothing early morning breeze. We get to see the moon shading and the sun rising’.
The group comprises people from all age groups – from under 5 to 70 years. Around 200 people are registered but 70 – 80 members attend the yoga sessions daily. The group sustains on its own, with small voluntary monetary contributions from its members. It does not charge any fees from its members except a one time nominal registration fees of 100 rupees. With the 2nd international yoga day approaching (on 21st June), all the members of the Swastika Yog Shivir are in the preparation mood to celebrate it. They are welcoming more and more people to join them and adopt this age old practice of yoga. Persons who believe, yoga can make a difference in their lives should come forward and join this mission. Interested persons can call on 9439364413 for free registration.
