Yoga FTW

Old is gold. Having said that, there is nothing better than the 5,000-year-old form of staying mentally and physically fit.

International Yoga Day, Illustrated by Miloni Munipally: Visual Storyteller at ThisDay

"Please tell me the minute is almost over", Ankush muttered under his breath. He looked strained and quite worn out.

Meanwhile, a calm Anita looked at the watch as she eased from her sarpasana. "Nope, been only 30 seconds, 30 more to go. It's not that long."

A plank minute is as long as the minute that was taken by your crush to reply to your text. If I'm being honest, a plank minute is longer. If you don't believe it, try it, thought Ankush.

He collapsed after a minute, panting and equally furious. How could Anita be poised and active while working out? She never lifted weights but stuck to yoga. And she held a plank Better than anyone he knew.

"Aye, you're always doing this asana and that. Why do you practise yoga?"

"Well, I was 7 years old when I started doing yoga. Believe it or not, my posture and gait were, to put it kindly, not very nice. I wasn't a very active kid, and my mother thought it would be best if I began practising yoga.

Surprisingly, I was flexible for someone who didn't like any physical activity. During my first class, I managed to strike **the paschimottanasana and halasana with ease. The instructor was impressed, and so was I. And when I saw kids around me struggling with these, I thought to myself 'hmm, maybe yoga isn't so bad after all.'" she answered with a hint of nostalgia.

Ankush was more interested now. "But why yoga? Isn't it ancient?"

"Yes, it is quite old. Yoga originated in India. It is mentioned in the Rig Veda. Yoga is said to have been perfected by the Rishis and was later documented in Upanishads.

Indians have been practising yoga for a long time. Soon, yoga spread to various parts of the world, and people adopted the exercise made their variations, but the fundamentals remain the same. The focus is on breathing and flexibility. Yoga isn't just about keeping your body fit it is also about staying mentally healthy.

It is one of the six schools of Indian philosophy and forms an integral part of Buddhist activities as well."

"Oh, is that why there are so many monks who meditate?" Ankush asked playfully.

"I mean, yoga's base is pranayama, and it helps regulate one's emotions and balances the body internally, thereby bringing physical comfort. Having said that, not just monks, but all people should meditate every day, even if it's just for five minutes. Those who practise yoga find themselves in a more balanced state of mind. Their muscle strength improves, and energy levels increase. It is a remarkable ancient form of exercise that has found a place in people's workout regimen." Anita added proudly.

As the two of them talked about yoga, Ankush asked if there was a special reason for coming to Rishikesh. Anita revealed to him that every year, the International Yoga Festival is held for a week, where yoga enthusiasts from all over the world gather in Rishikesh to meditate, practise, and learn.

Although Ankush did learn about the theoretical aspects of Yoga. To truly appreciate the beauty of this exercise, he actively participated in the festival. After making some lifestyle changes, he felt better. Due to improved muscle strength and peace of mind, plank minutes hardly seem long now.

Yoga enthusiasts come to Rishikesh to celebrate yoga. Image source: Tour my India