As I entered the campus of the institute, I was struck by the lush, verdant surroundings. Here was a place that was clean and green, that too in Mumbai, a city nicknamed 'the concrete jungle'! It really welcomed me into its hallowed precincts. The experience that I had here was one of calm and serenity. And the journey back home one of the most peaceful ever. With just a day at the Ashram, I was feeling so relaxed and full of energy, so I wondered what it must be for the regulars at the place. I decided to find out. At the ashram I spoke to regulars and here is what they have to say about the benefits of yoga.

Oasis in a concrete jungle

Yogesh Sadhwani - Journalist recounts his experience at the institute. Even though the institute was abuzz with activity, with volunteers and sadhaks doing their daily duties, students talking to each other, and a trainer delivering a lecture to a batch of students in the main hall, the campus exuded peace and quiet. The serenity seeped into every fibre of my being. Although I am usually a talkative, gregarious sort of person, I suddenly yearned to soak in the peaceful atmosphere. I could concentrate on my life and sort out my thoughts. This usually happens only when I am away from the hustle and bustle of the city. But there I was doing exactly that right here in Mumbai! Before coming to the institute, I had seen a picture of the campus, where several people were performing asanas, which is a common feature with various similar yoga centres. However, to my surprise, I could not find many doing so. In fact, although I saw people talking to each other, I could not hear their voices! Something really unusual for me, a journalist whose ears always perk up to any form of conversation. I guess it was because I was so engrossed listening to what Nature had to say to me. Being a Saturday, Dr. Jayadev and his wife, Hansaji delivered lectures to those who came with physical or emotional ailments. Out of curiosity, I decided to attend the lecture. It lasted for less than half an hour, but had me mesmerised. I can honestly say that it changed the way I think and behave today.

Discpline for a healthy life

In his lecture, Dr. Jayadev talked about the importance of discipline in one's life. He emphasised the fact that despite us knowing that our lifestyles affect our health adversely, we continue to live in the same fashion. For instance, eating oily junk food may clog our arteries, but we do not bother to give this up. Hansaji appealed to all those present to maintain proper eating habits. She advocated eating four meals a day and sleeping by 10 pm every night saying it would keep us fit. After all, a fit body gives rise to a fit mind - and vice-versa! Hansaji exhorted us to lead a disciplined life. Frankly, though I haven't been able to follow these rules to the T, I try my level best to do so as often as possible. Even my parents are amazed by the change it has brought about in my life. Better yet, so am I! Dinaz Wadia, Audiologist Speech Pathologist and visiting lecturer at SNDT college recounts his experience at the institute. A few years ago, I felt the need to change my life, to turn it around. So, I decided to take up yoga. I ventured into a few places where yoga is taught, but I was dismayed to learn that most of them laid emphasis only on the physical aspects of yoga. So, when I found out about the Yoga Institute, it was a like a godsend. I signed up immediately for the seven-day training camp. The best part about this institute is that I was not forced to behave in any particular way or follow strict rules. Moreover, all the back and joint problems I used to suffer from were all cured after attending the course. The most important thing that I learnt here was that I had to become aware of my problems and accept them instead of getting worried for nothing. Yoga teaches you to be aware of yourself. In fact, the impact of the association has been so tremendous, everybody has noticed the change in me - for the better, I might add. Even my husband, who had a very short fuse earlier, has calmed down remarkably after visiting the institute occasionally. He has learnt to accept things as they come instead of getting worked up when they don't go as planned.

Think Exercise

At the institute, they lay emphasis on thinking exercises rather than on physical ones. So, in the initial days, whenever anything went wrong, I would count to ten. Today, I don't even need to do this. I calm down at once. Recently, I completed the teachers' training programme at the institute. I still come to the institute regularly as I have a lot of time to spare. The Yoga Institute has brought so much peace and happiness to my life, it's the least I can do.

- Payal Rajshekar

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