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Y is for 'Yoga'

I would say yoga is a way of life and more than a hobby, but I’m including it here as a form of exercise for those looking to modify their lifestyles. When I lived in Tiruvanmiyur, Chennai, for a brief while in 2011 or so, I had a lady come home and teach my mom and me yoga. It was with slow movements. 

In 2013, I joined Bharat Thakur’s yoga classes in Indira Nagar, Bangalore, and my perception of yoga underwent a drastic change. It was so aerobic and there was so much movement. I lost inches quickly and also used to perspire a great deal during the sessions. I later did yoga with 136.1 yoga studio in Indira Nagar, which has since shut down. These sessions were slower, but not as slow as the ones I did in Tiruvanmiyur. It was hatha yoga. In 2015, I signed up for classes in a 1000 yoga in Brookefield, Bangalore, and the sessions were similar to the ones I’d experienced in 136.1. But by then I was older and I felt the slow pace of yoga was more suited for my body. It helped me remain flexible. 





The main aspect of yoga seems to be the breath and holding the postures for as long as possible. I’m no yoga expert and nor have I become hooked on to it for life, but it has kept me going for a few brief years. I work better when I attend a class with a trainer, rather than from youtube exercises or videos. Nowadays, they include cat crunches, shavasana and downward-facing dog even in regular exercise routines. It has crept into all forms of exercise. I know several yoga practitioners who have gone into teaching yoga classes for a living. Some of them are conducting yoga classes on Zoom during the lockdown. Have you ever done yoga? What has your experience been? Do share in the comments section.
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