Page 32 - Seniors Today -Volume no1
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Fitness
Yoga for Life
If you wish to try a new workout, let your body guide you,
writes Yoga trainer Fatema Rajkotwala in the first of a
three-part series
We are an old culture, rich and brimming with ents are living ailment-free, with a sharp mem-
traditions and ancient wisdoms that have at- ory because they live basically disciplined lives
tracted people from far corners of the globe. where routine and light daily physical work is
In today’s globalised India, we are pleasantly part of their schedule.
walking hand-in-hand with westernisation as
well as finally embracing and respecting Yoga The upsetting reality is that a majority of our
practices as a form of healthy living. seniors are sliding down holes of depression
caused due to possible family neglect, loneli-
But while more of the youth and children ness, retirement or a loss of sense of purpose,
are thankfully getting drawn to Yoga, either productivity, identity and therefore
through the lure of Instagram-worthy pictures stress-induced depression and anxiety.
or school-enforced curriculum, I sometimes
watch bystanding seniors in gardens and parks, Being born and raised in the old part of South
wondering: Is Yoga meant for me at this age? Mumbai, I’ve grown up with more senior citi-
Can’t I just meditate and do pranayams and zens around me as neighbours than people my
powerful breathing exercises? This is my age to age and I would enjoy spending time with them,
take it easy, spend time with my grandchildren, listening to their invaluable experiences. As life
vacation… should I even be doing the very stren- would have it, after I trained in teaching Yoga,
uous Surya Namaskars and Headstands? many of my clients have been seniors and this
helped me understand their requirements and
These are all valid doubts. What adds to attitudes better. While there is much to admire
these justifications and the confusion is when and respect about our elders, I did feel that at
conflicting information on social media and times our society tends to lay too much em-
through our overzealous WhatsApp groups phasis on ‘knowing’ things and focuses less on
tells our senior population to give in to their application.
weaknesses and onsetting pains. Our govern-
ment is working hard to set an example and It is horrifying how hospitals are now giving
encourage Yoga for all. Remember, elsewhere package deals on knee replacement surgeries,
in the world, people don’t easily consider them- diabetes is starting earlier in youth and yet our
selves old until well over 70. There are many elders get trapped in the Gyaan and Bhakti part
shining examples of families where grandpar- of our tradition while ignoring that an uncom-
SENIORS TODAY | Volume 1 | Issue 1
