The role of Yoga in the post-COVID-19 world

A pandemic has no regard for social status, wealth nor religion and is colourblind. We all have witnessed how COVID-19 ravaged through nations indiscriminately, leaving behind a whirlwind of challenges for humanity to cope with. Our blind faith in conventional medicine was shattered as we observed doctors and healthcare professionals become paralyzed by the waves of those infected rushing to the hospitals with no definitive treatment nor vaccines insight. We helplessly watched the death toll increase each day. Social distancing and strict lockdowns were the only measures governments could implement to slow down the spread of the virus. Consequently, we are left with a world-scale economic slowdown, leaving many in financial hardships. Students have suffered setbacks in their education while schools were closed and their families worried for them. Humanity, as a whole, is anxious about their future, fearful of their health, and is experiencing a general sense of hopelessness in the post-COVID-19 world. Fortunately, there is Yoga to rebalance our bodies, minds and emotions to live our lives fully in our new reality.

 

Yoga has gained worldwide popularity over the past several decades and many practitioners have experienced benefits of Yoga. However, only a few are reaping the full, life-changing benefits by embracing the yogic lifestyle. Yoga is a road map to improving the lives of all people, regardless of their age and physical fitness, spreading a holistic lifestyle adaptable across all borders. Academic studies of yogic science have acknowledged the effectiveness of Yoga in restoring and maintaining overall health,

but less attention has been given to the rippling positive effects it has on the entire community and the environment. What is good for the individual must be good for the entire humanity and nature; not just for the privileged few at the expense of others and the ecosystem. The pandemic experience is an alarm signal pointing at how we have abused nature. Simultaneously, nature is giving us another chance to change our ways to live healthier and harmoniously with our environment. The novel coronavirus forced us to slow down and reflect on our old rat-race lifestyles fueled by zero-sum habits. We were working hard to gain wealth, ignoring our health, and then, ironically, spending our wealth to gain health. We were polluting and depleting nature for what we perceived as necessary comforts, but in fact, we were only contaminating our bodies, allowing chronic diseases to manifest, create larger wealth gaps and mental dependencies. The takeaway from this experience is we need to take care of our health first. Only then, can we gain wealth, enjoy and share our gains. Yogic lifestyle prioritizes health first and foremost, the foundation for all of us to thrive and evolve as a global community.

Many people still misunderstand Yoga as a form of physical exercise and their approach to practices are very casual. More than ever before, we need to take Yoga seriously, as it was intended to be a natural and holistic lifestyle incorporating integrative practices to create, not only physical health but also positive mental and emotional health. Physical practices (asana), are only but a part of a series of Yoga practices. Adhering to the social codes of conduct (yama and niyama), breathing practices (pranayama) and the meditative practices (pratyahara, dharana, dhyana) as outlined in Sage Patanjali’s Eight Limbs of Yoga (Ashtanga, Yoga Sutra) are all equally important Yoga practices. By dedicating ourselves to these practices with awareness and discipline, we can promote health and gain the mental and emotional stability to face not only the challenges of the post-COVID19 world but to face all difficulties in life. For example, Yoga cannot reverse situations of lost their jobs or lives due to the pandemic. However, it can fortify you to face the difficulties positively and not be defeated by them.

Accessible Daily Yoga Practices

Although Yoga practices are simple and holistic, and all levels of practitioners can do but “It is important to learn from a qualified yoga teacher so the practices are done correctly and safely.”

The daily yoga practices should be a combination of all limbs of yoga according to need and capacity. It is important to engage in practices with a correct and positive attitude. Practitioners should make a sincere effort to adhere to the Yamas (Truth, Non-violence, Honesty, Non-possessiveness, Celibacy), and Niyamas (Cleanliness, Austerity, Contentment, Self-study, prayer) because those personal and social disciplines are the foundations of taking care of themselves and living harmoniously in society. Following these disciplines gives us the right directions to our life. For example, we need discipline to maintain a good hygiene regiment and respecting social distancing rules to counter COVID-19 in order to protect ourselves and others. By following yama and niyama, we naturally foster these qualities.

Asana (Physical) Practices

Asana practices are vital in controlling body systems and to maintain optimal functioning of organs. It also promotes healing and helps to control unwanted symptoms. Regular physical practices boost your immune system by balancing the circulatory, respiratory and endocrine systems and keep the spinal cord in good condition. Although the main purpose of asana practice is to prepare the body to sit still in meditation, it also promotes stamina and confidence to boldly face any situations. By practising the asanas with awareness and in a relaxed state of mind, you have begun your journey towards health. Asanas practices are for taking care of the physical body through joints movements, spinal movements, muscles & nerves stretching and combination of backward/forward bending, squeezing, balancing pose can boost physical health which leads to mental health as w

ell. Few examples of asanas are: Sun Salutation, the Pawanmuktasana group of movements, backward/forward bending, stretching, spinal twisting, inverted and balancing asanas.

Pranayama (Breathing) Practices

Pranayama acts as a coordinator and inner guide that balances our physical, energy and mental bodies (annamaya, pranamaya, manomaya and vijnamaya koshas). Physically, the breathing practices balances and detoxes all organ systems and mentally, it controls the mind and emotions. Regular practice improves vitality, throws out toxins, provides thorough ventilation to the lungs and purifies the blood. Learning to control the breath also helps to control the mind and emotions since they are intricately linked. It also reduces dependency on medication, especially for those suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and high cholesterol. Migraines, high-stress level and depression and other emotional issues can also be controlled by practising pranayama. During pranayama practices, we focus on inhalation, retention and exhalation with different speed, length and rhythm according to the purpose and need. Example of pranayama are – Bhastrika, Kapalbhati, Ujjayi, Sheetkari, Nadi Shodhana, Bhramari.

Yoga Nidra and Dhyana (Meditation)

After practising asana and pranayama, the body and mind are prepared for deep relaxation and meditation. Yoga Nidra is the most powerful and accessible pratyahara (detachment of sense organs from the mind) practice developed by Sri Swami Satyananda Saraswati. Also known as yogic sleep, Yoga Nidra is a guided practice in which the practitioner relaxes to a state of consciousness right before sleep but without losing awareness. It is a guided withdrawal of the senses practice in savasana (corpse pose), inducing deep relaxation without losing awareness. Yoga Nidra helps to surface and release deeply rooted desires and fears in the subconscious and the unconscious, thus relieving stress, worries, negative emotions induced by deep relaxation. Letting go of negativities frees us to accomplish our goals positively and successfully. This practice is highly effective for students to sharpen their focus and be in their best mental state for learning.

Wholesome Diet

We are what we eat. We are fully aware of what foods are healthy for us, but we make excuses to justify our poor choices. Seasonal fresh vegetables and fruits are best, yet we reach for convenient frozen or fast foods. As you reg

ularly practise yoga with discipline, you will notice a transformation within yourself, making it easier for you to make healthier food choices. Your body awareness will prompt you towards home cooking and will realize that it gives you more satisfaction. There may be social pressure to drink alcohol and or to eat meat like t

hose around you, but as you better understand

the consequences of your poor diet choices for your health and the environment, you will no longer feel tempted. It is easier than ever before to get fresh ingredients year-round. So no more excuses. Eat well and live well.

We can no longer be casual about how we live. Each and every one of us is responsible for the consequences of our choices. Yoga is the light in the darkness, offering us a chance to take charge of our own physical, mental and emotional health. There is no one else to blame for the state we are in today. If we do not care for ourselves, then we will create more problems for ourselves, our families and future generations. Now is the moment to adopt a yogic lifestyle and develop discrimination in our actions so that we may live our lives to the fullest. Yoga is not in the Himalayas. Yoga can guide you here and now, wherever you are, at this very moment. Adjust your life accordingly so that you may evolve and grow as a person, in your career, in your studies, as a family member, as a friend, as a citizen and member of humanity. Let the pandemic be a siren call to us all. No more procrastination. Begin your yogic journey today for a healthy and happy future.