With just a six-foot mat, yoga can provide spiritual uplift and immunity, says expert

Suresh Kumar knows more about yoga and its benefits, more than most in Goa. After all, he’s the first yoga trainer recognised by the Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) and someone who has dedicated most of his life to the practice.Ahead of International Yoga Day, his message to everyone is simple: Medicines help you survive but yoga makes you live happy, achieve spirituality.“Your house will be left dirty if it’s not cleaned regularly. You also need to clean your surroundings. Yoga is a way of cleaning your body. It boosts your immunity. Yoga helps boost your power and immunity,” said Kumar, who has over 30 years of experience.Yoga is an ancient and complex practice, rooted in Indian philosophy. What started as a spiritual practice has become popular as a way of promoting physical and mental well-being with different yoga styles —ranging from gentle practices to physically demanding ones —being practiced.For most, getting ready for yoga is a challenge but once they get into the groove, there’s no looking back.“When you wake up, you open your eyes; your ears hear things. Then, you gather your thoughts. So, you need to filter your thoughts, mentally. Physically, you need to do a general warm up by stretching your body. Just like you need a bath every day, yoga is needed too on an everyday basis. You need nothing, apart from a six-foot mat. It’s all in your hands, and you can start with basic, simple exercises,” said Kumar. For life to be good, the yoga expert feels three prayers are needed; the first involves fitness, the second discipline, and third, God on your side. Yoga, he felt, helps improve social and cultural behaviour as well.“Yoga involves several factors: mentality, physicality, flexibility and spirituality. Pranayamas are a great thing to do after warming up. Yoga is best when done on an empty stomach, so when you wake up, it is an ideal time.“The benefits of yoga are countless. It helps improve general wellness by relieving stress, supporting good health habits. Even terminal diseases and ailments can be contained with help of yoga. Yoga is a proven ancient science, and the final product is attaining spirituality,” said KumarHe further said nature is a great teacher and yoga is what nature has to offer.“If you do yoga, it should make you feel energetic,” said Kumar. “If you feel tired, that’s not yoga. Lifestyle has changed. Professional yoga for age-group is different. For a general person, they must feel great after doing yoga. Meditation, pranayam are part of it. When you meditate, your willpower increases. You must elevate and motivate yourself.”