Apeejay School Pitampura organises yoga week to teach asanas, moral value

Apeejay School Pitampura celebrated yoga week ahead of the International Yoga Day, held every year on June 21. The school released a video series called ‘Yoga for Humanity and Health’, where yoga teacher Nitasha Garg taught students some moral values through yoga along with asanas.

The video series was themed on Ashtanga yoga (the eight limbs of yoga). Patanjali, a sage in ancient India, defined the eight limbs as yamas (abstinence), niyama (observance), asana (postures), pranayama (breathing), pratyahara (withdrawal), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation) and samadhi (absorption).

In the video series, Garg explained the first limb of yoga—Yamas, which comprise non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, chastity, and freedom from greed. On Day 2, she explained the five Niyamas including purity, contentment, austerity, self-study, and belief in God.

The yoga teacher also took students through asanas that make for the third limb of yoga. These comprise cultural asanas and meditative asanas. Cultural asanas produce physiological balance while meditative asanas offer a comfortable posture for pranayama and meditation.

In the videos, some of the students performed the steps for asanas including Sarvangasana or shoulder stand, Matsayana or fish pose, Ustrasana or camel pose, and Halasana or plow yoga pose. The benefits of each of the asanas were also explained.

Highlighting the reason behind choosing these asanas, the yoga teacher said, “The asanas were selected on the basis of their benefits to children. These asanas help activate glands in the body to release growth hormones and also work upon the muscles, shoulders, and spine. Besides, these asanas complement each other.”

On the final day of the yoga week, students learned about Bhramari pranayama and its technique. Pranayama helps achieve a tranquil state of mind and reduces stress.

“The programme was organised under the kind supervision of principal Veena Goel. She always encourages us to do something new. Last year, we did a 10-day yoga series while this time we observed yoga week,” Garg said. “We also organised poster-making, slogan writing, and logo designing events themed on Yoga Day.”