WALKING IN THE MORNING-THE YOGA CENTERS

11. WALKING IN THE MORNING….THE YOGA CENTERS


The serene environment of Chitragupta Park in the morning is the perfect place for exercising both the body and the mind. There are a few regular groups performing various types of Ashanas(postures) and Pranayams(breathing exercises). Two of these groups have a gathering of over 50 practitioners on any given day. Then there are smaller groups or even individuals performing yogic exercises at different places in the Park.

Yoga exercises have become very popular these days. Thanks to Swami Ramdev. Ramkishan Yadav (date of birth unknown) popularly known as Swami Ramdev is an Indian. He is particularly known for his efforts in popularizing Yoga as it is enunciated in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. He is also one of the founders of the Divya Yog Mandir Trust headquartered in Haridwar that aims to popularize Yoga and offer Ayurvedic treatment
His camps are attended by a large number of people. Over 85 million people follow his yoga camps via TV channels and video. His yoga teaching sessions are for the masses and free for all. His stated principle in life is to be of help to everybody.
Yoga refers to physical and mental exercises. The Sanskrit word Yoga has many meanings and is derived from the Sanskrit root “yuj” meaning “to control” “to yoke” or “to unite”. It includes joining, uniting, union, conjunction, contemplation and absorption. Someone who practices yoga or follows the yoga philosophy to a high level of attainment is called a yogi or yogini.
There are many Yoga teaching organization in India but Swami Ramdev has made it simple and hence popular. Yoga includes various breathing exercises like “kapal Bhati” (exaling through the nostrils and pushing the stomach at the same time), “Anulom –Vilom” (inhaling through the right nostril and exaling from the left nostril and repeating the same through left nostril and exaling from the right nostril), “Bhramari” (closing the ear buds and humming like a bee). Yoga exercises with some medicines are suppose to cure some ailments like blood pressure, heart ailments, diabetes, obesity, asthma, back pains, etc.
Thousands of people have been trained in his organization and they in turn are conducting yoga classes in various parts of the country and abroad. There are at least five such yoga groups in Chitrgupa Park. In addition there are other Yoga centers conducting yoga classes in the Park.
Like Swami Ramdev’s organization all other organizations also popularize Aurvedic medicines produced or marketed by them. No wonder, therefore that there is always a subtle hint to buy these medicines for the treatment of various ailments.
Divya Yog Trust of Swami Ramdev runs an Aurvedic Hospital at Haridwar. All the medicines are produced by the trust. In less than ten years it has become one of the richest Trusts in India. Joining a Yoga Camp may cost anywhere between Rs 7000/- to Rs 11,00,000. Though the treatment at the Hospital is not very costly but overall cost including stay and food is quite high.
Coming to Yoga Groups of Chitragupta Park, there is no denying the fact that there are hundreds of yoga enthusiasts who religiously come early in the morning, take part in the yoga exercises and get healed.