Indian Gurus and unsafe yoga camp
Yoga - the oldest system of personal development needs no
introduction nowadays. Its popularity can be estimated by the
fact that more than 15 million people practice yoga in USA
alone. Almost every health club in a country like UK has yoga
classes. In India where the yoga system was originated it was
not practiced on mass level until couple of years ago. Of
course, yoga was taught as a free service for years by
organization like Bhartiya Yog Sansthan in public park but never
before as an unquestionable and unsafe mass hysteria.
Recently with the help of TV channels the whole concept of Yoga
has rejuvenated in India. Baba Ramdev Ji, the Indian 'yoga guru'
has started teaching yoga to the masses to the extent of
millions of people. It is really good that now people in India
are developing healthy habits by waking up early in the morning
followed by energizing yoga practice, thanks to TV channels and
Baba Ramdev. As Yoga exercises have tremendous physical and
medical benefits which help people to get rid of various
diseases, it is good that those TV channels and Baba Ramdev and
others are doing marvelous work to help the nation to get rid of
diseases.
However, like every other science, yoga is also a precise
science. The question is: 'Are all yoga exercises safe to teach
through the TV media and can the same exercise be taught to all
people with various health conditions?' "This is the question
which requires deeper digging into the subject of yoga itself
otherwise the consequences of doing yoga practice could be more
dangerous than beneficial" said Subodh Gupta, Yoga expert from
India.
Let us understand how: There are some breathing exercises like
simple alternate nostril breathing (without holding the breath),
which can be taught easily without much complications and have
various benefits. However, at the same time some of the
exercises, for example: kapalabhati breathing technique which is
taught to the masses is quite questionable. "This exercise even
though having tremendous benefits, can be equally dangerous if
somebody has heart disease or problem related to hernia" said
Subodh. 'Will it help or rather make the hernia and heart
problem worse?' considering the fact that many Indians suffer
from hernia and heart problem. For example, according to the
'National Digestive Disease Information Clearinghouse' (NDDIC),
potential causes for hernia include anything that creates
increased pressure in the abdomen. This includes: coughing,
vomiting, straining/constipation, etc. Now considering this
information what about the forceful exhalation which people do
while practicing kapalabhati or other pranayama exercises and
how far these can be dangerous for people having hernia? Perhaps
medical expert can better answer this question in more details.
Similarly there are number of other yoga postures which require
great precautions. As we all have different body structures and
different fitness level, conducting same exercises (apart from
very few which are comparatively safe) for 30000 people in a
camp without checking their medical conditions is quite
questionable.
Also 'Are the instructions about kapalabhati and other yoga
exercises safely delivered by Gurus?' 'Are they ensuring that
people are following their practices safely?' 'Is it really safe
for the beginner to learn yoga only through the TV channels?'
"Well, it is a serious question for the swami Ramdev Ji and
others who are teaching yoga to masses to answer" said Subodh
Gupta.
If seems that in India there is no governing body which
understands the fragility of adverse impact of yoga exercises if
done in improper way. No doubt yoga is effective for treating
various diseases and a noble effort has been taken by Swami
Ramdev and organizations like Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana but
unless these exercises are not done in a proper system and with
supervision, the whole concept of yoga teaching will become more
of mockery or maybe it has already become. Perhaps in near
future when the ill effect of unsafe yoga practice will come to
the limelight, the media will come up with great news stating
that 50 or 100 million Indians are making fun with yoga everyday
in front of TV and playing with their health.
Issued in public interest by Subodh Gupta, for all those who are
beginners and are learning yoga through TV, video cassette, DVD
or in camps with hundreds of other people.
Contact person Subodh Gupta Certified Yoga expert from India
Indian Foundation of Scientific Yoga Please click here for Subodh Gupta webSite