MEDITATION AND RELAXATION THROUGH YOGA
Yoga and meditation can give you a sense of calm, peace and balance that can benefit both our mental and emotional well-being and our overall health. It is used to relax and cope with stress by refocusing our attention. They also help us stay centered and gain inner peace. Yoga improves strength, balance and flexibility. Slow movements and deep breathing increase blood flow and warm up muscles, and holding a particular pose can build strength. It prevents cartilage and joint breakdown and can better our bone health. As Lord Krishna explains to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita, “Yoga is our intimate connection with the whole universe, with eternal realms even beyond the manifested universe, and with our own being’s endless capacity to love.”
Considering the importance given to yoga in the curriculum of B.Ed, the department of Physical Education and IQAC of GCTE in association with HEARTFULNESS, a Hyderabad based organisation, conducted two sessions on November 9th and 10th, on the topic "Meditation and Relaxation Through Yoga." Heartfulness is an organisation which offers free classes in 120 countries and in Kerala it is centered at Trivandrum.
The inaugural event held on November 9th was hosted by Ms.Mahima. She started off the event with Sree Buddha's words: "Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship." The programme officially began with a prayer song by Ms.Maria George which was then followed by the welcome speech by Devika P.S. She started the welcome speech by the great words of Patanjali Maharshi which stated the importance of practicing yoga. Dr.V K Santhosh Kumar, principal of GCTE rendered the presidential address in which he elaborated on the benefits of yoga. Sri Rahul, Assistant Professor of Psychology in GCTE and IQAC coordinator, delivered the felicitation address.
Then there ensued an introduction speech by Mr. Shibhu Saifudeen, Yoga and Meditation trainer from Heartfulness and Assistant Process Engineering working in KMML, Chavara. Vishnu B, certified yoga instructor, working as Yoga trainer and Heartfulness practitioner cum volunteer, was present in the function. He trained us in chair yoga and breathing exercises. He also enjoined us in stretching exercises which can be done while sitting. Jayasree D K, Heartfulness yoga meditation trainer instructed us in meditation, the evoking of kundalini energy to become one with the ultimate energy and in cleansing our minds of all negativities. She also trained us to notice our breathing process and to pay attention through each part of the body and gain concentration. Reflection and vote of thanks was done by Ms. Sandya and the session came to an end by 4:30 pm.
November 10th, the second day of the program also began at 3:30 pm by chair yoga and breathing exercises. On that day written feedbacks were given to the instructors of Heartfulness. Since the next day November 11th, was a half day due to Vettucaud feast, the event ended with two days. It was an entirely new experience for me.
