THE MORNING RAGA

 As the yoga teachers take the day off on the 25^th of November, I complete 9 months of yoga at the Sivananda Centre.

It has been a challenging journey for me. I was fighting cancer. Last February, I had just completed the basic treatment, had blotchy skin and had an inch length of grey hair sprouting out….I looked awful and felt awful and was afraid to face the world again. That was when I had walked into F 42 South City I, not knowing what to expect, and full of apprehensions. My first meeting with Arun Sir, was reassuring, but not promising, as I did not believe in promises any longer.

I had disastrously low immunity, no stamina what- so- ever and an excruciatingly painful back. Hobbling out of bed with a bent back, gradually giving myself time to even stand up straight was the most usual morning routine for me. I had wiped out the memory of the childhood spring out of bed, to embrace the hobble with grace. I had decided that physical pain was a part of my life and I needed to carry on with it.  Along with an abundance of pain and exhaustion, I had an abundance of courage and hope. 

It was a rather slow start. The Beginners’ Course by Vinod Sir gave an encouraging glimpse into what I could achieve. Thus my journey began. Six rounds of Surya Namaskar was as big a challenge as conquering the Everest!!! I could not even do the dumbest thing like stretching myself in to the “child’s pose”. My back killed me!!! I religiously attended the yoga classes three to four times a week, even though I went in for an extended chemo therapy every three weeks all the while!!

I could not lift up both my legs. I used to be in agonizing pain. It was around the third month that one morning Arun Sir helped me raise my legs and hold on to my thighs while everybody else practiced the “shoulder stand”!! I was shamefully proud of myself!!!

In the last six months, six rounds of Surya Namaskar, stretching back into the child’s pose, getting into the shoulder stand with the help of the teacher became an easy task for me. It has been only a week now that I do not need help to get into the shoulder stand any longer…..I can do it on my own!!!  

I go for a brisk walk thrice a week and I still attend yoga classes four times a week. Naveen Sir’s gentle smile greets me each morning as I embrace the day with yoga. The gorgeous dawn beckons me as I spring out of bed. My hobble is a thing of the past. In fact it is a brand new morning raga for me now!!!

Every single teacher of the Sivananda Yoga Centre is Patience personified and has helped to create a different world for a person like me. I sent my best wishes, my warm regards to every teacher and I say the two little words: Thank You!! 

SARBARI SEN

Shailey Chawla

Dear Arun, Kanika, Aparna

I thank you most sincerely for the dedication and warmth ( even -or most particularly-  Arun's brand of it!) with which you conducted the entire course. 

I may have lost only 2 kg, but I FEEL less flabby. and, more importantly, I have  come to accept that by merely tweaking meal timings, drinking warm water at all times, and exercise, I can eat without constant guilt. 

I have, for the first time, taken Yoga seriously and find that I thoroughly enjoy it.  Not only is it 'fun' but there is an element of reverence to it that leaves me feeling spiritually uplifted. The stiffness is slowly leaving my back and I am starting to discover that my spine is not one rigid unbending plank from neck to tailbone. When I started, I huffed and puffed after 3 Surya Ns..... now I can do 27 /36....... and probably more if Arun asked it of me! 

I shall stay with the Yoga classes, and look forward to doing a headstand soon. I am so motivated when I see ladies of all ages and shapes effortlessly twisting and untwisting themselves into pretzel shapes, even when standing on their heads.

The negatives? My evening walk remains a challenge, and I hope to work on that. I still get up at 5.50. not 5.  I also have not been a good buddy to Jasleen as I have not hounded or stalked her.

I'm afraid I wont be able to make it to tomorrow's class as my school is participating in a 2 day exhibition at the Epicenter and we have to be there at 8 for setup.

I shall join regular evening Yoga class from Monday. Please call me to account if you see me lag.


Warm regards

I had been procrastinating sending this email now for almost two to three months. I attended the weight loss program at the South City center in April-May and since then it's been a way of being for me. Though I never visited the center after my classes got over and I  had my own reservations around being able to continue with what I learnt there. I would say, I haven't been able to practice all 5 things that I did during the 6 weeks course, but I had been able to Exercise, Breath and Diet. I am working on the positive attitude and relaxation part as an ongoing process. I was 56 when I joined the course. Now I am between 50-51.

Through this email, I wanted to thank all three of you as you are making a huge difference to the people who attend the classes and follow instructions as Arun said in the opening session of our program. I have nothing else to tell to anyone who compliments me on my lost tummy :) except a lot of praise for the yoga center. Thank you for being there and making this happen for me. I am sure there are many others like me who are thankful but procrastinating to put this note.

Thanks a ton, and all the best for your future.

Thanks,
SS

Dear Arun,
How are you... I hope you remember me
Although I have not visited the centre for quite a long time now but I hope that you still remember me.
You must be wondering that what made me write back to you after such a long time.
Remember I was always so worried about my PCOD issue , piles , weight management and numerous other issues and you always advised me to be patient and keep practicing as per your advice.
Arun.. I am so glad to tell you that I just got the ultrasound done and one of my ovaries is perfectly free of cysts and doc has advised me to continue with the treatment , I may be able to cure the right ovary with in a month or so.
But I dont know to continue with what treatment as  i was neither on homeopathy , nor ayurvedic medicines ... simply no medication , then the only doc that struck my mind was  you.....its probably  the weight loss and what all i learnt in classes..... and yes I do take lemon , ginger , warm water first thing in morning and end the day with little warm milk with turmeric .I 'll continue this medicine and I am sure that I will be able to report complete victory to you.
For me its miracle, infact more than a miracle... I am so happy
They say... health is wealth and you have given it to me........ thanks a ton Arun..
I am so thankful to you , kanika and vinod sir
Humble Regards
DPK

Dear Kanika,

Cant tell you how happy i felt seeing your mail. I have been meaning to write to you, nakul and arun for the last couple of months but for some reason or the other could not. I just wanted to share with you that the WLP has completely transformed my life. I have lost a total of 12 kgs by following this program and I’m still following it to the ‘T’. But i have also figured out that this program was not about losing weight but overall wellbeing, health and happiness and most importantly rediscovering one self all over again. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for guiding and sharing this program with me and being my guru. I’m truly indebted for the great gift of health i have been given.

About joining back the centre, i want to repeat the WLP again and also want to attend the beginner’s class once again. I shall be in touch. Thanks so much once again.

Thanks & Regards,

MS

 Dear Kanika and Arun,