ApnaComplex is conducting a series of webinars in partnership with The Times of India. These webinars are exclusive only for members of societies using ApnaComplex. In these webinars, health experts speak on various health and wellness topics to increase awareness and impart knowledge.

In a webinar session conducted by ApnaComplex Dr. Hansaji Jayadeva, Director of The Yoga Institute, Mumbai and the President of International Board of Yoga and Senior Vice President Indian Yoga Association (IYA) spoke to us on Importance Of Yoga In Fighting The Pandemic. She is the leading face of householder yoga and has conducted over 1,00,000 theoretical and practical yoga sessions to date.

Yoga is a spiritual therapy that originated in India thousands of years ago. Yoga is called a spiritual therapy because it connects the mind and body. The word ‘yoga’ is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘yuj’ which means union, yoke, to join or to concentrate on one’s attention.

In the Western world, yoga is considered as a holistic approach to health and is classified by the National Institute of Health as a form of Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Yoga provides a number of mental and physical benefits, which includes lowering stress, promoting mental calmness, increasing self- confidence, reducing blood pressure, decreasing fatigue, improving blood circulation, reducing asthma and strengthening the immune system.

Practising yoga daily promotes endurance, strength, flexibility, and facilitates compassion and greater self-control, while bringing a sense of calmness and well-being.

Dr. Hansaji Jayadeva spoke about the importance of yoga and suggested some simple and easy yoga asanas that we should incorporate into our daily routine.

Here are some excerpts from the webinar:

• How to boost immunity with yoga?

Immunity can be strengthened only through yoga because yoga is a holistic approach to life. Yoga keeps your body fit and flexible and handles the body and mind well. Practising yoga will generate balanced energy which is important for the functioning of the immune system. Regular practise of yoga asanas lowers the risk of chronic diseases and boosts the immune system.

• What are the three fruits that are strongly recommended in yoga?

Coconut (Sriphala), banana (Kadali Phalam) and seasonal fruits (Rituphal) are strongly recommended in yoga and should be consumed during the day.

• What is a proper diet to lead a healthy life?

• Eat nuts for breakfast. You can consume 5-7 almonds that have been soaked overnight.
• Consume dry fruits such as figs, dates, prunes and apricots.
• Eat boiled groundnuts as it is rich in amino acids, fibre and antioxidants.
• Drink lemon juice twice a day. Mix a spoonful of honey or jaggery to a glass of lemon juice.
• Eat a variety of seasonal fruits during the day.
• Eat vegetarian food.
• If you are not hungry have liquids. Herbal tea such as ginger or lemongrass tea for breakfast, a glass of buttermilk for lunch, lemon juice in the evening, and soups, khichdi or dal for dinner.
• Get a good night’s sleep.
• Exercise regularly.

• What are some easy yoga poses that you could practise during the day?

Yoga poses should be performed before having your meals or 2 hours after having your meals. These are some of the easy and simple yoga poses that you could try doing:

• Stick pose (Yastikasana)
• Hand to toe pose (Hasta Padangusthasana)
• Wind-Relieving pose (Pavanamuktasana)
• Gracious pose (Bhadrasana)
• Mountain pose (Parvatasana)
• Pranayam

• Can you do forward bending exercise if you have back pain to strengthen the back muscles?

If your back pain is due to an accident or lifting weights you should avoid doing forward bending exercise and if you have normal back pain you can do the exercise.

The benefits of yoga are wonderful and once you start doing it you will feel a sense of calm and well-being. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your yoga mat and start practising the above-mentioned yoga asanas today.

ApnaComplex conducts informative webinars on different topics. So, stay tuned to emails from ApnaComplex and ApnaComplex social media pages for upcoming webinars.