Streamline your life during this Quarantine

By- Dr. Gitanjali Kalia ( Prof. Chitkara University )

India is a land with rich culture and tradition but we have been uprooting ourselves from our beliefs and cultural practices. Where people in abroad are adopting our traditions like Yoga, meditation, home remedies, Vastu, etc. we are forgetting these practices and this virus has got us back to greet everyone with Namaste not just Indians but the whole world. Though we talk it as tradition but lesser known fact is that our ancestors developed this tradition due to the scientific reason. One being that germs of other people do not transfer to other person and another reason being the folded hands press acupressure points of our hands that help us to recall the person for longer time. But this social isolation is an opportunity in disguise to reconnect to ourselves and introspect our living style and adopt a Vedic lifestyle. Undoubtedly, you live more healthy and happy if you follow Yogic lifestyle but it is easy said than done said Ankur, Yoga Archaya who has been following it for quite long time. Though people these days relate yoga to just physical practice it is much more than that. 

Let me throw some more light on what has been mentioned in our Vedas regarding lifestyle any human being should adopt for healthy living and one such reference is Patanjali yoga Sutra. In this 8 Yogic philosophies are mentioned under Astanga Yog that is taught to every individual during his schooling and should be followed as a regular routine in all the Gurukuls.

1. Yama(Character building)– Character building is the most crucial topic we are facing in our country today. We are building machines rather than just imbibing strong moral characters among our generations. Speaking the truth, respecting elders and guru, being honest were few virtues that every student was taught and made to implement during their formative years.

 2. Niyama(Cleanliness)- Isn’t it sad that we are made to understand the importance of cleanliness i.e. washing hands thoroughly during this difficult time, whereas that is the basic necessity of human existence. Everyone embraces beautiful, clean and pure things, people and surroundings but you don’t want to maintain and make it. We go near nature on a vacation to leave a place that is polluted and exploited by us only.

 3. Asana(Yogic postures)- Healthy mind exists in healthy body. This quarantine as we all will be spending quality time with our family members, keeping and maintaining a good health is equally important. Hence practice Yogic postures.  We are facing so many health issues in society these days that we not so relevant in relic times. Be that our eating patterns, lifestyles, social obligations, we aren’t doing enough for our body. As rightly said by someone your body is your best life partner.

 4. Pranayam(breath control)– One thing which is common now days are tensed and frustrated faces as they are passing life and not living it. Sitting without movement and work won’t be easy therefore practice Pranayam. Well, conscious breathing helps you to provide quality to your years and provides you control over your prana. Breathing practices not only reduce tensions but also releases happy hormones that make you more lively and cheerful inspite of many odds. 

5. Pratihar(sense control)– These days committing suicides on social media, depressions, theft, rape cases and many such evil issues are gripping our youngsters, therefore controlling our senses and putting them to apt use was the basic value that was taught for living a Yogic lifestyle.  

 6. Dharna(concentration)– It is normally seen and experienced that span of Concentration has reduced among people especially youth. We want instant results and gratification but are not ready to work hard with concentration. This virtue teaches one to concentrate on their goal and remain the focus throughout to achieve higher results just like Eklavya.

 7. Dhyan(meditation)- Living a conscious life is very important for making the correct decision in life and peaceful living. It does not only help you to balance your life (being sthir) but also enhances your decision making power. Every student of Gurukul had to meditate for a few hours on regular days so as to understand their situations and surroundings and take corrective measures towards them. 

8. Samadhi(absorption)- This is a state of stability where you are content with yourself. It means to be live a life that has all the other virtues being learnt, practised and inculcated into their being for a successful life.

         Thus, one who knows and practice even one of these virtues and practices can still understand and relate to the essence of life. Unfortunately, our social fabric in context to modernisation and westernisation is missing onto these practices and virtues. Therefore, I would like to share a few tips that in case any individual imply to their life will bring noticeable changes in their living :

* Practice Cleanliness of body, home and surroundings, so that positivity and happiness can float around.

* Use of mobile for restricted hours, so that we can restraint our body from being 24*7 surrounded by harmful Ray’s.

* Water therapy is the best medicine nowadays, therefore make sure you intake 5-6 litres of water daily.

* Spending time alone daily is very important where you can introspect your daily activity and realise life goals.

* Conscious breathing would help you to regulate your temperaments and control negative thoughts.   

* Spending time in nature. Nature and body have the power to self-heal and thus spending time in nature, will rejuvenate your mind and senses and reduce your stress levels.

* Treat your body as a  temple, nurturing it with the right food is vital for performing life tasks. Therefore, giving your stomach a break to digest food and eat at regular intervals is mandatory for a fit body. If possible, practice not to eat heavy dinner after 6 and give a gap of at least 6 hours between meals.

 Remember, we individuals form the social fabric of the society and it’s flourishment is our responsibility. I believe change doesn’t happen overnight but if we try to follow and practise even two or three of these suggestions, it will bring commendable change in us. Therefore, we should put our best foot forward to fight this coronovirus by following government instruction and introspecting our lifestyles, so that we all turn out to be better humans after this tough phase. This article is an outcome of the discussion with Yogacharya Ankur Kanwar.