Yoga should be made part of school curriculum: Nrithya Jagannathan

Chennai: Waning physical activity and obsession for gadgets, common among adults, manifest in children too. The only prescription to pep up life is to ensure a stress-free life and enhance performance by practising yoga. Yoga should be made part of the school curriculum in view of its multi-dimensional benefits, argues Nrithya Jagannathan, Chennai’s yoga therapist, and consultant-head with the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram (KYM). She is a direct disciple of T.K.V. Desikachar.

She is doing Ph.D on ‘Yoga and Natya’ at the SCSVMV University, Kancheepuram. She says yoga transcends religions, barriers and has a social dimension. In an interview to DC, the expert talks about making yoga complementary to regular medical systems as yoga teachers are not medically trained. Excerpts:

Q) The entire nation is gripped in yoga fever. Does it offer a remedy for treating aliments, particularly chronic diseases?
Yoga is a holistic approach not only to maintaining sound body and mind but also in managing chronic diseases. Through diet and exercise one can deal with diseases like diabetes mellitus and hypertension. People generally feel increase in energy levels, sleep quality and overall quality of life.

Q) Which particular disease do people turn to yoga for remedy?
Musculoskeletal, arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, stress related disorders, digestive disorders, depression, panic attack and anxiety. We have a large number of women patients.

Q) Are all such persons taught similar asanas?
 The capacity varies from person to person and not all can take up tough postures like Dhanurasana. We first assess the person’s condition through Nadi pariksha and decide the asanas suited for them.
 
Q) Entire nation is going gaga over yoga. Should yoga celebration be only an annual affair?
The government’s intent should be appreciated. There is a lot of awareness on yoga. Atleast now people are realising the true value of our ancient knowledge. Many are not aware of the complications of AAllopathy, dependency on Allopathy drugs or how or what affects lifestyle. Incessant efforts should be taken to further popularise yoga and also to motivate people to adapt this as part of their daily routine life.
 
Q) Should yoga be made compulsory in schools?
It should be included in the educational curriculum as its benefits are multi-dimensional. Body, mind and breath get strengthened, children develop resistance power and there will be increased attention and better memory. Yoga has social commitment. It is not all about how to live healthy, strong and long but also to make others live a disease-free life. Also, one’s performance increases and above all, it will help children (and adults) overcome the obsession to electronic gadgets, makes them physically active and ultimately facilitates peace of mind.
 
Q) There is much opposition to practising Surya Namaskaram..
 There is no religious orientation to Surya Namaskaram. No one can live without Sun. Yoga Sutra does not mention any posture by name. This could be a later interpolation. Surya Namaskaram comprises a series of postures strung together in a symmetrical manner. One can practice this without the names. Or if one is still uncomfortable, one can choose so many other multiple postures linked to breathing like Vinyasa. Yoga transcends religions, barriers and has social dimension.

Q) So, it is not in name but stance matters, in so much as a good yoga instructor?
 Yes. Standardisation in Yoga is difficult. Many yoga instructors are not medically qualified to teach and a wrong asana could lead to debilitating injury. Also, not all can learn all the asanas. Yoga has its limitations. So, it should be used as a complementary to regular medical systems. But people want instant results. yoga should be practised daily.