International Yoga Day: Doctor explains the right way of practising yoga

Work pressure, stress and fitness issues might inspire many to take up practices like yoga classes today. However, the reality is that not many have the luxury to attend such classes regularly. That's where the significance of yoga videos and apps lies in today's world.

Many youngsters follow yoga influencers they like or apps from various foundations to get their daily dose of movement through yoga. However, if not careful, the practice might not give you the desired effect and can even have adverse effects. This is especially true because a trained guru isn't present when a person tries asanas by following videos.

Dr Pooja T Amal, Consultant and Coordinator of Ayurveda at the Mar Sleeva Medicity, Palai, explains how to be careful when practising yoga while following videos and apps.

An urgent pre-requisite
The right effect of many yoga postures depends on a handful of aspects, including proper breathing, balance and awareness, said Dr Pooja.

"However, a beginner need not know about any of it. They might not be sure how to follow instructions in videos or apps, how to progress gradually, or how to be cautious. This can result in mistakes," she explains. According to her, it is best if only people who have a proper understanding of these foundational aspects of yoga, which they learned from a master face-to-face, go for further training through online channels.

"The poses might look simple and doable. However, when a guru is absent to correct the mistakes of a complete beginner, the practice is doing them more harm than good," she says. Those following the videos should be aware enough to pay attention to the breathing technique that suits the pose, the right posture for it, the proper poses to enter and exit the asanas and moreover, their own physical limitations, the doctor says.

What kind of programmes to stay away from
The doctor mentions a few types of yoga programmes that need not be credible:
a) Stay away from programmes that fuse modern yoga with traditional yoga practises.
b) Avoid those that offer unrealistic weight-loss promises
c) Avoid those that say that just with yoga, they can make all the changes.
d) See whether the trainer is advocating for yoga as a solution for all health issues or an alternative for a healthy lifestyle. If so, steer clear of such platforms.