A yoga pose that few can oppose
Samarth Namaskar, an improvement on Surya Namaskar, incorporates devotional stances of different faiths.
As the nation stretches itself for a perfect pose to celebrate World Yoga Day on Sunday, an innovation on the onerous “Surya Namaskar” - christened “Samarth Namaskar” by Prime Minister Narendra Modi -- is awaiting clearance by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Prime Minister’s Office.
The new routine that has added nine postures (or asanas) to the traditional 12, has been inspired by stances drawn from different religions, best depicted in the 19th pose that combines the ‘dua’ of namaaz with the obeisance peculiar to Jainism.
Dr Kohli told Mirror that it took him over a year to develop the routine, during which time BKS passed away.
“BKS was already in a frail state of health when I began. After him, I have been guided by his son, Prashant Iyengar,” Dr Kohli said. However, Prashant Iyengar told Mirror, “It is completely designed by Kohli and all the credit should go to him.”
Beyond the religious overture, Dr Kohli took up the experiment to address the needs of modern life-styles. “Most people suffer from backaches and neck pain due to long hours of sitting. The problem has almost become an epidemic. Surya namaskar lacked the sideways movement and could not relieve these issues. I have made additions to take on these modernday physical demands with Samarth namaskar,” said Dr Kohli.
Early this year Dr Kohli submitted his research report to both ICMR and the Union ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH). Vouching for the efficacy of Samarth Namaskar, Dr Ravinder Singh, senior scientist at ICMR said, “Samarth is definitely more powerful and energetic than Surya Namaskar. Its back and neck postures are helpful. PMO was to launch it on the eve of International Yoga Day but the plan was held back due to various reasons. Now, at ICMR, we will do a controlled study of Samarth on different subjects to establish stronger evidence of its efficacy.”
Confirming that Samarth Namaskar has found acceptance with the Modi government, Union Minister for AYUSH, added. “The file is pending with us and a date for the launch will be set on Sunday after the International Yoga Day.”
Given that the research had BKS Iyengar’s backing, not many yoga experts are contesting the efficacy of Samarth. “From what I can see from the chart, the classical Surya Namaskar has been broken down with additional steps, serving as a warm up to the more challenging postures within the Surya Namaskar flow. The fig 19 (which claims to be inspired by various religions) has always been a part of the yoga tradition and goes by the name Adhomukhaveerasana. Some use it as a relaxing posture, or as a neutralising posture after Sirasasana and some use it for meditation and prayers,” sports science and nutrition expert, Rujata Diwekar noted.
“There are several Surya Namaskar variations, some with more than 12 poses. Samarth Namaskar has 21, of which 10 are from the classic sun salute. The additional poses will make Samarth Namaskar more intense and involving,” said Mumbai-based yoga guru Shameem Akhtar.
“Samarth Namaskar seems to have incorporated certain movements of the body that were missing in the traditional Surya Namaskar, like the Trikonasana, Marjariasana, and the Virbhadrasana Kriya... it must have been done keeping in mind the muscoloskeletal system. If there is an easy flow from one posture to another it should work fine,” said Asheet Ambekar, a yoga teacher who has trained under Iyengar.
As the nation stretches itself for a perfect pose to celebrate World Yoga Day on Sunday, an innovation on the onerous “Surya Namaskar” - christened “Samarth Namaskar” by Prime Minister Narendra Modi -- is awaiting clearance by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Prime Minister’s Office.
The new routine that has added nine postures (or asanas) to the traditional 12, has been inspired by stances drawn from different religions, best depicted in the 19th pose that combines the ‘dua’ of namaaz with the obeisance peculiar to Jainism.
Essentially developed by a Punebased orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Pavan Kohli, with the blessings of the late yoga guru BKS Iyengar and in collaboration with off-shore branches of a yoga institute and the Sports Medicine Association (Singapore), Samarth Namaskar is attempting to break the perceived religious affiliation that yoga has, and thus win over the resistance. Modi’s selection of the name Samarth signifies capable of benefitting all.
Dr Kohli told Mirror that it took him over a year to develop the routine, during which time BKS passed away.
“BKS was already in a frail state of health when I began. After him, I have been guided by his son, Prashant Iyengar,” Dr Kohli said. However, Prashant Iyengar told Mirror, “It is completely designed by Kohli and all the credit should go to him.”
Beyond the religious overture, Dr Kohli took up the experiment to address the needs of modern life-styles. “Most people suffer from backaches and neck pain due to long hours of sitting. The problem has almost become an epidemic. Surya namaskar lacked the sideways movement and could not relieve these issues. I have made additions to take on these modernday physical demands with Samarth namaskar,” said Dr Kohli.
Early this year Dr Kohli submitted his research report to both ICMR and the Union ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH). Vouching for the efficacy of Samarth Namaskar, Dr Ravinder Singh, senior scientist at ICMR said, “Samarth is definitely more powerful and energetic than Surya Namaskar. Its back and neck postures are helpful. PMO was to launch it on the eve of International Yoga Day but the plan was held back due to various reasons. Now, at ICMR, we will do a controlled study of Samarth on different subjects to establish stronger evidence of its efficacy.”
Confirming that Samarth Namaskar has found acceptance with the Modi government, Union Minister for AYUSH, added. “The file is pending with us and a date for the launch will be set on Sunday after the International Yoga Day.”
Given that the research had BKS Iyengar’s backing, not many yoga experts are contesting the efficacy of Samarth. “From what I can see from the chart, the classical Surya Namaskar has been broken down with additional steps, serving as a warm up to the more challenging postures within the Surya Namaskar flow. The fig 19 (which claims to be inspired by various religions) has always been a part of the yoga tradition and goes by the name Adhomukhaveerasana. Some use it as a relaxing posture, or as a neutralising posture after Sirasasana and some use it for meditation and prayers,” sports science and nutrition expert, Rujata Diwekar noted.
“There are several Surya Namaskar variations, some with more than 12 poses. Samarth Namaskar has 21, of which 10 are from the classic sun salute. The additional poses will make Samarth Namaskar more intense and involving,” said Mumbai-based yoga guru Shameem Akhtar.
“Samarth Namaskar seems to have incorporated certain movements of the body that were missing in the traditional Surya Namaskar, like the Trikonasana, Marjariasana, and the Virbhadrasana Kriya... it must have been done keeping in mind the muscoloskeletal system. If there is an easy flow from one posture to another it should work fine,” said Asheet Ambekar, a yoga teacher who has trained under Iyengar.
