Wellbeing the yoga way

Some three years ago, when I visited India during my annual vacation, the only name I could hear was Swami Ramdev's.

People, from 7 to 70, were taken over by a new wave. They were gathering in parks, on building terraces and even at home, to practise yogic exercises.

If you did not own a Swami Ramdev yoga CD or DVD, you would be gifted one. Yes, even my family was not immune to it.

In fact, this was no less than Hrithik Roshan's debut on the big screen.

The wave is here

And now, Ramdev is all set to conduct his first workshop in the Middle East, in Dubai, during the Dubai Shopping Festival.

With “good health is the birthright of all human beings'' as his slogan, Ramdev is a man with a mission — to spread wellbeing and good health through age-old yogic techniques and Ayurveda.

The past few years, he has been conducting yoga workshops in various countries.

He probably would have become a phenomenon had it not been for the now laid-to-rest human bones controversy.

“It is a story of the past. Why rake it up again when it has already been proved wrong in court too?'' said the soft-spoken V.K. Dhir, CAO and overseas coordinator of Divya Yog
Mandir Trust and Patanjali

Yogpeeth (Ramdev's organisation). Dhir was in Dubai to organise a three-day workshop with Ramdev during Dubai Shopping Festival.

“Swamiji [Ramdev] is a known vegetarian and using bones [for medicines] goes against his faith and ideology. The whole matter was raised only to serve the political pursuits of some.''

On the eve of Ramdev's visit, Unwind spoke to V.K. Dhir about the upcoming workshop and Ramdev's mission. Excerpts:

Today, there are many styles of practising yoga. Does Ramdev follow a particular style or has he created his own?

Yoga is an ancient Vedic science and India is its source. Basically, it's one but how you wish to interpret it is up to you.

So, you have so many styles in the world today.
Today, yoga is treated more as an exercise than a breathing technique.

Ramdev stresses 90 per cent on breathing — what is called pran shakti (power of breath) and 10 per cent on asanas (postures).

While in the West yoga is considered more of a physical exercise, he looks at it holistically, encompassing mind, body and soul.

Ramdev claims he can cure cancer through yoga and ayurveda …

Yes. Acharya Balkishen, Ramdev's long-time colleague and in charge of his Divya Pharmacy, has written a book called Yog in Synergy with Medical Science, which includes practical evidences and testimonies of patients who have benefited through yoga and Ayurvedic medical systems.

The treatment may not be a 100 per cent success as it depends on the intensity of the sickness and also how much a patient can take.

It has also been proved that oxygen does not allow cancer cells to thrive.

And when you practise yoga, pranayama (breathing exercises) particularly, you are taking in at least ten times more oxygen than normal breathing.

So, that is why Ramdev is confident yoga can cure, or at least curb, cancer.

Considering today's busy lifestyle, is there something people can do to destress while on the job?

Ramdev says life is not for yoga, but yoga is for making life better.

Therefore, he has simplified yoga into seven exercises that one can do at any time of the day, depending on his time and commitment.

If you can't make time, then do at least two exercises — Anulom Vilom (breathing alternately) and Kapalbhati (deep breathing while flapping your stomach).

These can be done while sitting at your desk, but make sure it's not right after a meal.

What is the one prevalent condition for which you treat people?

The biggest disease today is stress. Anger and depression are two results of stress.

And yoga, especially breathing exercises, is the best for relieving stress.

You are oxygenating your system through Anulom Vilom, Udgeeth, Bhambhri and other pranayamas.

This makes you feel fresh and gives you a positive outlook.

Does Ramdev also conduct meditation classes?

Yes. But basically, he treats ailments. It is only after the ailment has been treated that one can go in for meditation to attain the transcendental stage.

Are the medicines available to all? Can the poor afford to buy these?

We have a state-of-the-art pharmacy called the Divya Pharmacy in Hardwar, where we create and research medicine.

While we do provide free medicine to the really needy, discounts are given keeping in mind the paying capacity of the patient.

How can one book a treatment?
You can visit our website: www.divyayoga.com for details.

Pranayama to get you started

For stress management, Dhir advises you do these three pranayamas daily.

These may be done sitting at the desk, too. If you do these three exercises, you can curb mental tension, depression, insomnia, migraine and other diseases.

Be there

Dubai Shopping Festival and Eurostar have organised a three-day yoga camp with Baba Ramdev.

When: January 25, 26 and 27

Where: Dubai Airport Expo, East Hall

Time: 6 to 8.30am

Tickets: Season passes for Dh500, Dh300 and Dh150. Single-day passes are not available and only one person can use a pass.

For more information: Call 04 8087575, e-mail: yogacamp@eurostargroup.com or log onto www.eurostaryoga.com