‘Sit in Sukhasan for five minutes everyday to relieve anxiety’

Yog Guru Pradip Pandey has been teaching yoga at Apeejay School, Saket since the last 25 years. He is also a successful Instagram influencer who speaks about the benefits of yoga and Naturopathy.

In an impromptu interview, the yoga teacher gets candid about misconceptions the youth has about ‘yog’ and suggests some simple asanas to relieve exam stress. 

Excerpts:

How can yoga benefit exam warriors?

So many times I have observed that as a student sits in the Board exam hall, she/he gets depressed if they are unable to understand a question. Meditation can help in such a case, as it re-channels the subconscious energy and helps us battle fear and confusion. A child feels confident after meditation. However she/he must learn how to correctly practice it.A good yoga teacher can help the students master this. 

Children often perceive yoga as boring or restricted for old people? What’s your take on that?

This perception has changed now. According to Ashtanga Yoga, a child begins the day with ‘niyama’ yogic principle and thereby engages in all daily actions. Students now face many stresses in life and so they understand yoga’s relevance in mental health and lifestyle. 

One yogic tip to battle anxiety and stress?

Sit in Sukhasan for five minutes everyday. Then study for about an hour; while revising do the gyan mudra. It will help you retain the knowledge for a lifetime. 

One myth you’d like to clear about yoga?

People think only the elderly who are battling an illness or disease need to practice yoga. But clearly it is not the case. Everyone practices yoga directly or indirectly. It is ever-present in our daily activities. The concentration we have while driving is the best answer. Yoga is awareness in each and every thing. 

One yoga tip for beginners?

Sit comfortably anywhere and take a long breath. and hold it. When you hold for 10 seconds, oxygen goes straight to the brain. This helps in decloting nerves in the brain and clear blockages in the heart. It thereby increases mental activity and boosts heart health. This is Bhastrika Kumbhak pranayama. 

Tell us about the yoga awareness programme at Apeejay.

All the students at Apeejay School, Saket practice yoga. They will all be able to tell you the definition of yoga and can also demonstrate with meaning many yogic concepts like pranayama to name a few. Each of my students knows how to do yoga exercises — from simple ones to the more complex ones.