Bhopal, Apr 29: Yoga has been part of our life since ancient times. Yoga is a product of our country from where it has spread to all over the world. It keeps the body and mind healthy. Lord Krishna is called as 'Yogishwar' means the 'God of Yoga'. The scriptures say that it was because of his yogic power, Lord Krishna has transferred the whole population and the landscape of Vrindavan to Dwarka within a few seconds without the knowledge of the people. Lord Shiv's pictures sitting in yoga posture is famous among Hindus.

In ancient times the sages used to sit in yoga posture while meditating. Since they know the qualities of yoga, they never fell ill and lived for hundreds of years.

In this modern age, modern yoga guru Baba Ramdas is conducting yoga classes through TV channels every day in the morning. Incidentally, several people have become his disciples (without his knowlede) as most of them got the desired results in controlling their diseases without gulping any medicine.

It is said that the healthy mind lives in a healthy body. It is for us to decide whether we want to be healthy or not.

In this modern age, people are more interested to try gymnasium, aerobics and power yoga for development of body and figure. Still, yoga in its old form is still existing and liked by many. Once a person start practicing yoga, he would never discontinue the practice in his life. It was because of the benefit yoga is famous for like controlling of serious diseases like diabetics, blood pressure, peptic ulcer, improving of eyesight, and the like.

In fact everybody is conscious of their health and wants to live longer. For this eating habit is slowly and positively changing. As yoga and meditation is proving excellent for healthy mind and body, people are adopting these for three main reasons - no side effect, provides mental peace and economical to maintain.

Several workshops, seminars have held in the city about yoga and meditation to bring awareness among the people. Yoga kendras have also set up at different parts of the city to the convenience of those who wanted to practice.

The purpose of physical training classes in the schools are meant for development of the body. Along with the PT classes yoga classes is also being started at several educational institutions. In these classes, students are taught about the yoga, pranayam, meditation etc and the benefit of them for the body and mind.

In this modern age, name of yoga has been changed. The directors of gymnasium, aerobics are claiming that their practice will help to control weight, tension, blood pressure etc. Since all these names are modern, people go after them instead of adopting yoga.

In foreign countries also practicing yoga to control tension and other diseases. Maharshi Mahesh Yogi was the first to spread awareness of yoga among the foreigners. Now classes are being conducted in several cities of the Europe, America like developed countries and there is no dearth of people to attend these classes.

The Bhopal Today Team reporters talked to some yoga teachers and students to know more about the subject and its present trend.

Pawan Guru, Yogacharya said yoga was practiced by the Rishis, munis and even gods. Since thousands of years people are benefited by yoga. Yoga also gives us the mental power to fight against adverse situations. It should be practiced by people of all ages. There is nothing better than yoga and meditation to control the mind. Yoga also helps us to lead healthy life. Even though there are modern names and techniques to keep one healthy, I prefer the ancient form of yoga because that is more beneficial. At least five days in a week will give you long term benefit in life. I would like to advise the readers to start practicing of yoga under the able guidance of a yoga guru. Pawan Guru said that he had learnt yoga from Yoga Ratna Dr. k M Ganguli. He said that one should regularly practice 'Vajrasan', 'Tadasan' and 'Pranayam'.

Ajay Singh, Yoga Guru said that yoga's different forms are available in the market in the name of power yog, Chinese yog, aerobics etc. In result, ancient yoga and power yoga are one and the same. In yoga, action and rest are equally important. Prayer and Surya namaskar are also part of yoga. We must spare some time for yoga in our busy life to keep ourselves healthy, he said.

Sonali Singh, Yoga Guru is of the view that we are facing different kind of difficulties in our life. In this scenario, the importance of Yoga and mental relaxation has increased. Yoga's results are long standing provided one should be ready to practice it regularly at least for some time. It can be practiced either in the morning or evening. Yoga is beneficial in the special diseases of women.

Abhishek Jain is a student and learning yoga. He has learnt yoga, prayer and meditation in school and college. But the craze now is for going to gymnasium to develop and build body fast. Continuing the practice of gymnasium is difficult. But yoga practice is always better to maintain good health, he said.

Naivedya Pandey says that everybody wants to maintain health. People are aware about the benefits of yoga. But one has the patience to spare some time to practice it, he added.