The power of Yoga: 93 and going strong

CHANDIGARH: At 93, Sardar Vichitra Singh has a remarkable glow on his face and is as fit as ever. Possibly amongst the oldest practitioners of the art in the country with an extremely flexible and versatile body, Singh is able to take his younger friends head on in the one-hour yoga class he attends daily at the crack of dawn in Sector 18.
"I have been practising yoga regularly for last nine years after retiring as joint state transport commissioner, Chandigarh.It has improved my quality of life. The result is there for you to see," Singh says.
Explaining the 'asanas' that he is proficient in performing, Singh adds, "I do breathing exercises like pranayam daily followed by flexing and stretching. I have also been practising asanas that target my back and neck." When asked if he could demonstrate some of them, Singh eagerly springs up and starts back-bending exercises like 'Ardha Chakrasana' with surprising energy and vigour.
Yoga has been the force behind Singh's active lifestyle. "Before I took to yoga, I could only walk 1-2 km before I got tired. I am now able to walk for 5-6 km at a stretch. I go for evening walks daily in a park at Sector 18 D near my house," he says.
Singh's health problems too have disappeared. "I suffered from knee pain earlier, but now it has gone. My digestion has also improved. I owe it all to yoga," he says.
On the message he would like to give the youth, Singh says, "Every individual should make yoga their habit. It benefits your health and concentration."
'Yoga helped me walk after knee surgeries'
After undergoing knee surgeries in 1994, 2004 and again in 2010, it became almost impossible for 81-year-old Gurdeep Kaur to walk without crutches. "When my physiotherapist advised exercise, I took to yoga and now have been doing so for past six months," Kaur says. She is now back on her feet and adept at doing household chores that require running around. Exhibiting her flexibility, Kaur demonstrates how she could touch the tips of her feet with her hands without bending her knees. "Except maybe a few like Dhanush asana which I am unable to do because of the restricted bending of my knees, I can do all asanas perfectly," she adds. Kaur, who swears by yoga, emphasizes its importance in her life, "Earlier, I suffered from shoulder pain and now, due to several asanas that target my shoulders, they are perfectly healthy. Due to asanas like Manduk, I suffer from absolutely no stomach aliments like constipation." Kaur is regular about her one-hour yoga sessions in the morning. "I never let rain, storm or sunshine come between me and yoga," she claims.
'Deep breathing helped control my temper'
Surjeet Kaur has been practising yoga for over 20 years. "I have become a more positive person because of yoga. Chanting of 'om' every morning helps me relax my body and ease away stress," she says. Kaur believes life is counted by the number of breaths we take and holding our breath increase one's life span. Having undergone a knee replacement surgery three years back, Kaur practises many yoga asanas sitting in the chair and they have contributed immensely towards her agility and movement. On the positivity that yoga has brought in her life, Kaur says, "I used to be a very short-tempered person but deep breathing helps me release all my tension. Since I live alone, I had problems falling asleep but now they are gone." Her message to the young generation is: yoga can double your concentration. "In today's competitive world, you need to come up with something extra to stand out and excel. Yoga is something special that can help you do well in life," Kaur adds.