Yoga Day: Stretch for serenity
From doing a dozen downward dogs to chasing a million deadlines, these high-powered women swear by yoga for mind-body balance.
It relieves stress, calms mind, builds stamina, tone up muscles, boost circulation, enhances flexibility and makes you feel more energetic - there isn't really a thing that yoga can't do. From fitter body to happier soul, it helps one attain the mind-body balance required to meet the challenges of the fast-paced and deadline-driven life.
Today, an increasing number of millennials are turning to yoga to boost their mental strength and physical agility. "With yoga, you learn to make your body and mind work in perfect harmony. It helps you stay calm in the most crucial and chaotic of situations, and make right decisions without losing your cool," says Neha Lidder, marketing director, DLF Emporio. Whether you are challenging your body in a gravity-defying head stand or pushing boundaries in the boardroom with great determination, yoga helps you chase your goals without giving into stress. It does wonders when it comes to improving concentration and confidence - two very important skills every working professional wants to hone. "The more difficult the pose is, the more 'focus' and 'willpower' it requires.
Your successful or failed attempts on the mat while trying various yoga poses help you become more acceptable of your triumphs and failures in life," says yoga expert Zubin Atre. With each attempt you get better at the mindbody coordination, which makes decision-making easier. "It also teaches 'energy management' - the bigger the role, more energy one requires," says Atre. Pushing boundaries with the power of yoga, here are a few busy women sharing their secrets to good health. From juggling many roles to multi-tasking at lightning speed, it helps them kick stress out of their successful life. It also allows them to slow down, self-reflect and prepare themselves for the many challenges they face as leaders. Bent, twisted and stretched - yoga is a way of life for them.
Yoga connects to inner self
Fit, fabulous and ageless, fashion designer Malini Ramani's tryst with yoga began at the age of eight. Over the years, the love and passion for yoga has only blossomed. "I still remember - when I was eight years old, my mother brought home a book for me called Yoga for Little Girls. It had pictures of pretty little girls doing yoga poses and I remember finding them so beautiful, and I imitated and perfected every page in that book... because I was mesmerised by them," she shares.
FOR ME YOGA IS...
It connects me to my soul. I feel so grounded and happy when I do yoga. It's all about slowing down and feeling the real you.
YOGA RETREAT...
I am about to go for my Kundalini yoga teacher's training in Ubud (Bali) in July.
IF I WERE A YOGA POSE...
I love the Child Pose. It's like being in the womb - safe, comfortable and stress-free!
WHAT NOT TO EXPECT...
Don't try to compete with anyone except yourself. It's a self-practice and all you ever need to do is give your 100 per cent. And don't expect instant miracle. Slow and steady wins the race.
