"Fighting Corona Virus the Yogic Way" - An interview with Mr. Gaurav Vohr*

By Catherine Radojkovic

Mr Gaurav Vohra

​1.    In this time when everyone is advised to stay home due to lock down and advised to maintain social distancing. What is your advice to people and how does Yoga help?
Yoga is a self-care tool and is being practiced by people all over the world today, but in today's scenario where everyone is going through stress related to uncertainty, anticipation, and fear, yoga can help fortify body and minds boosting our immune system and safeguarding us against corona virus. Daily practice of yoga with meditation brings a much needed balance to the nervous system, reinforces the respiratory system, induces release of feel good hormones, conditioning of lungs, stimulating the lymphatic system, releasing the toxins from the body.

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2.    Since the Corona Outbreak, there been a lot of emphasis on including yoga and meditation in your daily routine. Can you elaborate some of these practices?
Postures (Asanas) rejuvenate the entire body working on the spine and central nervous system. They massage the internal organs and bring flexibility in muscles, tendons and ligaments. Some postures to build up Immune system are Shishuasana (Child pose), Setu Bandhasana (Bridge pose), Halasana (Plow pose), Bhujangasana (Cobra pose), Dhanurasana (Bow pose), Matsyasana (Fish pose).

Breathing Techniques (Pranayama): Breath is life. Controlled and Mindful breathing helps revitalizing body and mind. It helps improving blood flow, reducing anxiety promoting sleep, reduces inflammation. Some Important breathing techniques are:

Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhan Pranayama) is of paramount importance as it improves the pulse and makes body light, removes the impurities of the body and is extremely beneficial for lungs.
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Right Nostril Breathing (Surya Bhedhan Pranayama) produces vital heat in the body. Inhale from right nostril and exhale from left nostril. It improves appetite, purifies blood and respiratory system gives a feeling of freshness, agility and suppleness to body.

Meditation (Dhyan): Meditation is just flowing with the thoughts effortlessly. It is a way to control the vagaries of the mind. The modern man remains extrovert the whole day, meditation helps to find time to look within and repose in the self. Meditation helps to get rid of deep rooted fears, anxiety, cravings, and bad habits, leading to state of bliss, peace, joy and ecstasy.

3.    How does Yoga differ from other forms of Physical exercise like Gym, Workout and running?
Yoga is rather a total mind-body workout. As per sage Patanjali there are 8 limbs of Yoga: Yama or the social conduct relates to behaviour/relationship with others, Niyama or the personal conduct related to our daily activities/routines. Asanas or the physical posture, the literal meaning of asana is your seat or the thing u are sitting on. Out of 196 sutras, that Patanjali wrote only one verse talks about Posture 'sthira-sukham-āsanam' means stability and ease. Pranayama is the breathing relates to controlling the life force or 'prana' the life force. Pratyahara or sense withdrawal related to withdrawing of five senses and focussing inwards. Dharana is concentration or one pointed focus. Dhyana or meditation relates to a state of thoughtlessness. Samadhi or Bliss refers to a feeling of union with the self.

Yoga comes from a Sanskrit word called 'YUJ' meaning joining together, unity, harmony, balance. Yoga is a lifestyle today with a vast range of techniques helping us to uncover our latent potentials ensuring our evolution in life. It is an inner science comprising of a variety of methods through which human beings can achieve unioin between the body and mind to attain self- realisation

The aim of Yoga Practice is to overcome all kinds of sufferings that lead to a sense of freedom in every walk of life with holistic health, happiness and harmony.

4.    Do u suggest some particular diet in this time of Corona Epidemic?
The best way to enhance our immune system is through the wholesome and nutritious food intake to stay healthy, full of energy and feel good. However some Inputs on Diet are:

1.    Light, warm and balanced diet. Avoid heavy and processed foods.
2.    Intake of Proteins as it helps to make antibodies for fighting the disease.
3.    If you are not vegan take Turmeric in hot milk and increase the use in your food intake.
4.    Intake of Coconut water, Citrus fruits, Papaya helps boost Immunity.
5.    Increase the intake of Ginger, Turmeric and Black pepper.
6.    Avoid Non-Vegetarian food or consume cooked meat and not raw.
7.    Avoid ice and cold beverages, drinking teas and warm water is advised.

*Mr. Gaurav Vohra, Yoga Guru and Teacher of Indian Culture, High Commission of India, Nicosia
Links: gandhi.gov.in
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​Interviewer Catherine Radojkovic

PORTION REFORM blogger / TV11.NET ANCHOR
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"I would like to use my blog to raise awareness of diversity by focusing on breaking down social and other barriers. ​My method is to present business and objective facts filtered through subjective logic."

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