[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1592852307199{margin-top: -70px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”YOGRITU AND COVID-19″ font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center” google_fonts=”font_family:ABeeZee%3Aregular%2Citalic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1591813829828{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Covid -19 and Lockdown has presented us with an unprecedented world, we never imagined we would be stepping into. A world of uncertainity, a world of stress, a world of unspoken anxiety. About our health, our future, our lives and livelihood. It has also presented us with some practical worries. That park we walked in, is now closed. The gym we went to, is shuttered, its hi-tech exercise machines standing still. The personal trainer who came home, now at home in another city.

We worry about our exercise, our diet, and health, especially our health , stuck within the four walls of our home. But the fit bit on our wrist, and our running shoes remind us that we are now part of a world of isolation and confinement. Our alarms remind us we are in a new, constantly changing world where every day just seems to be a repeat of every other day. We are living in a world where every other aspect of our world- our offices, our restaurants, our friends, even our family have been separated from us, our lifestyle has been stripped away.

So, how do. we find our way through this ‘new’ normal? How do we live in the times of the Corona virus? With Yogritu, you can navigate this difficult path with a sense of ease. By exercising a positive melding of body and mind, of creating an oasis of peace within your soul, of creating a harmony with the universe, even in these uncertain times.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC3BZ4Oyk-4″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

How have Yogritu classes adapted to this changed world of COVID-19?

The way we are conducting our classes might have changed. But what hasn’t changed is our zeal and commitment- personalized solutions for every student. By moving from classes in real time to online classes was a bit of a challenge, but I and my students have adapted well.

Even now we conduct group classes by video call, but as I can see all my students on screen, and they have given me their feedback before the class about their health, I know how to plan their daily yoga schedule. I customize my asanas according to each student’s need for the day, keeping their physical and mental health in mind. I make sure that I keep giving instructions, encouraging and helping students to go through their one hour of yoga, with ease and joy.

I also explain the benefit of teach of the asanas customized for them. So, in a normal class, I might have 15 students, but other than the Pranayama exercises which are common to all the classes, each student follows his or her schedule as planned by me. I play soft instrumental class to build the mood and atmosphere of a real class.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1591814135322{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”86″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

But you can’t be with them to show the Asanas. So how do you guide them?

I guide them through my instructions in class and a lot of my students are familiar with a variety of Asanas. For the new students, I have placards with the asanas illustrated on them to showcase all the asanas, and I use it to explain to a student how a particular asana is done. I also keep an eagle eye on my students to see that they get the asanas right.
I have also started making demonstration (demo) videos which I send to my students, depending on their yogic routine. They can get a clear idea from these videos, for instance, how is the back supposed to behave, what is the position of the hand or feet in a particular asana, and so on.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Why is Pranayama common to all classes, in the time of COVID-19?

The need of the hour, is to build and strengthen a healthy immune and respiratory system, in my students. In yoga, we believe, breathing lies at the center of human existence, therefore it forms the core of any yogic practice. Breathing facilitates oxygen supply to the brain as well as to rest of the body. Shallow breathing – not using your lung’s capacity to the fullest – deprives the body of oxygen and ‘prana’, which are essential for good health. Correct breathing is also a great way to detoxify the body.

In yoga we have a lot kriyas-for instance, jal neeti, kapal bharti, which clear the sinuses and other pranayama exercises which pump up the respiratory system. We also in the first half an hour do a lot of “kumbaks” and “bandhs”-which open up the energy blocks in our system and help in strengthening our respiratory system too. In yoga, our breath is our weapon. If we control our breath, it will help us perform difficult asanas and if it can do that, it can help us sail through difficult times as well.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1591814135322{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”338″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

How do we build a good immune system?

Yoga. Yoga. Yoga.
Regular practice of Yoga can help us to get in touch with our inner core. For example, the physical postures (asanas) harmonize the body and balance the nervous system. The breathing practices (pranayama) calm and balance the body and mind. The relaxation practices help release tension and stress and lead to an inner sense of harmony. And if we have a strong inner core, it will help build inner immunity, as it works on your internal organs like lungs, kidneys, liver etc. If your inner core is strong, it is going to manifest outside too, both in your body and strength of mind to face any crisis.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

These unprecedented times have also brought a lot of unprecedented stress and tension. How does yoga help?

This was the biggest challenge…there was an air of hopelessness, it was as if the whole environment had been taken over by stress, uncertainty. Everyone felt lost, and didn’t know how to handle the situation.

So, this is where I stepped up the meditation aspect of the classes. As a yoga practitioner, I understand that consciously we don’t fell the stress, as we are too busy looking after our families, our bodies or handling work, but the subconscious mind is a different animal, altogether. It keeps alive the stress and worry of these times , and that part of our mind needs nutrition , nourishment, and needs to be reassured, needs ease, and joy. And this, yoga, does really well. In yoga, meditation or dhyan is an important aspect- a level of pure subconscious.

So, I reserve a certain amount of time for chakra awakening, where, you are at one with yourself and it builds a relationship with your own self which you will never regret. It helps in breaking through our mental bondage of negativity, and expands our mind. It helps us shed all that is negative in the universe and keep only the positive, only the things of value with us.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]