A Lesson in Mind-Body Administration - Yoga
 The Superwoman
syndrome
Suman is 32 mother of two boys, holds a well paying job. She lives in a joint family where the needs of the children are looked after by the grand parents, but accompanied with bickering and squabbles, which never come to be known outside the home. Her husband is indifferent to her emotional and physical needs. Suman is deeply stressed -out, torn between the demands of both career and home. Take the case of Anjali, a 12th std. Student aspiring to become a doctor. She lives in constant fear of failure. She wonders whether she can live up to her parents’ expectation of her. This has severely affected her performance in studies. Or consider the pressured life of Madhuben, 52 who lives with her ailing, elderly mother -in -law & newly wed daughter- in- law. Since her son’s marriage she has developed high blood pressure and her joint pains have become more acute. Pacifying and nursing a traditional mother-in-law on one hand and giving maximum freedom to the new daughter-in-law has made great demands on her physically and mentally. She suffers from nervous breakdowns frequently, in trying to live up to them. No one can dispute that today’s woman, irrespective of her age and regardless of the position she may hold, at home or outside is faced with innumerable challenges-to supersede her own self. She has to nurture her career, manage home, tend to social commitments, and be financially independent .Phew! The list is endless on her day-to-day agenda. Mind-Body Disharmony In seeking perfection and satisfaction in all areas, she tries to be infallible to a point of breakdown. No wonder she is drained of her physical and mental health. Diseases of various nature find a foothold when person is constantly in such a state. Fatigue and depression make their headway which further manifest into physical violence. Take the case of Smita whose husband is a sailor & is away for long durations. Theirs was an inter- caste love marriage. Smita expects her mother-in-law to be fair & impartial towards her son & her sister-in-law’s children. Smita’s inability to fight against the authoritative elders has resulted in her venting her frustrations by inflicting abuse on her two year old. Yoga - Mind-body harmony So how is today’s woman, who is expected to be and who expects herself to be superwoman cope with these high demands & expectations? How does she maintain her sense of equilibrium & equanimity? What would lead her towards progress & success minus the stress? The answer is Yoga. Yoga is no longer a secret as was in the days of yore where it was taught directly by the preceptor to the deserving and inspired students alone. The modern yoga teacher and practioner maybe a Hollywood or Bollywood star, she maybe the girl next door in her designer jeans, or the friendly neighborhood housewife. Yoga is a science of life & sages have delved deep into the mysteries of life & beyond to give us both the means and the end to be achieved. Yoga is an art of living life to its fullest. Yoga is holistic in its approach. It never targets the body or the mind alone. Hence, meditation techniques or asanas alone will never yield the desired benefits. Both have to be practiced together. It has to be clear that yoga is not merely "asanas". It involves a complete change in all areas such as food [ahar], activities such rest & relaxation [vihar], conduct [achar] & attitudes & thoughts [vichar]. Yogic aims and objectives Many people ask me whether yoga can cure different ailments. The question that rather alarmed me was at a Rotary Club where a so-called- elite woman put up her well-manicured hands & asked me whether yoga would help in growing in her nails! This certainly is not the aim of Yoga. Yoga aims at achieving mental equanimity, balance, and poise. It must be considered in its divine, spiritual perspective. Certain golden rules must be adhered to in the practice of Yoga. Remember, Yoga is practiced entirely for oneself-that is, for one’s own improvement at all levels-physical, mental, spiritual. Practice yoga with sincerity, the whole being filled with a deep desire to grow, to be calm, peaceful, strong, and positive. Maintain such an attitude in mind always. Let this be your mantra. In Yoga, it is said that conscious thinking affects the sub-conscious thoughts. Regular practice of Yoga brings strength, a determined, aware & alert state of mind. A few simple Yoga techniques for
beginners 2. Pranayama - abdominal
breathing 3. Asanas b) Talasana - Stand erect with feet, one-foot distance apart from each other. While inhaling, rising on your feet, raise both hands in front of you and over the head. Stretch yourself. While inhaling, bring the feet & the hands down slowly making a full circle with them. Note that Asanas and pranayama are best practiced under the guidance of an able teacher. All said and done, Yoga is efficiency in actions. All one’s actions, whether it’s at work or at home doing the most menial tasks & chores must be done in a spirit of enjoyment. Though I cannot say that every chore is enjoyable but new ways must be found to overcome the old undesirable habits. Yoga is action & not reaction. And joyful action is a reward in itself, no further reward is necessary. Moreover,Yoga is a means of empowering a woman. In both mind and body.
Damini Dalal |