More people taking to yoga

It has become a common sight for morning joggers in the capitals parks -- men or women rubbing their nails as they circumambulate, some inhaling through one nostril to do breathing exercises or others attempting to balance precariously on one leg in a yoga posture.

There is increased awareness on the benefits of yoga and the capital is no exception, says a trained yoga instructor.

What Dhirubhai Ambani did to stocks or Bill Gates did to computers, Swami Ramdev has done to yoga -- taken it out of the elitist closets and spread it among the masses, says Ashwini Kumar whose classes now attract large number of people from all walks of life.

"There has been a surge in the sales figure of the yoga books in the last two or three years but it is still "slow moving" and yoga guru B K S Iyengers books with CDs are in great demand," says Murali, head merchandiser of Oxford BookStore.

Top cardiac surgeon, Dr Naresh Trehan says, "I do yoga and I would suggest everyone to do it as an essential daily routine but there are some asanas (yoga exercises) which I think not good for cardiac patients."

Dr Tapan Ghosh, Consultant, Cadiology, Fortis Hospital, feels that people should practice yoga as it improves the immune system. But he also cautions patients not to be dependent only on yoga and if it requires immediate attention then doctors should be consulted.

S C Jain, a resident of Dwarka, has been suffering from knee problem for the last four years. He says, "I was under allopathic treatment since 2003 but I could not get much relief till I started doing yoga around six months back after some of my morning walk partners advised me to take up yoga. I have been feeling much better recently."

Ashish Madan, a cardiac patient, was told by his cardiologist to supplement his medication with yoga.

Tarot card reader Ma Prem Usha believes that yoga helps to grow as an individual and makes the thinking positive and pure. "I am glad that people have now become more aware of it," she told PTI.

Today's youth carry a heavy stress load due to odd working hours and irregular diet routines. Lifestyle diseases like spondilitis, hypertension, insomnia, fatigue, nausea, chronic headache, coronary malfunctions, back pain, computer syndrome and dry eyes have created a lot of demand space for yoga among them.

"I am doing pranayam for the last six months and each day it gives me refreshing energy to work under duress, says 27 year old Sunny Singh, assistant manager, Hewitt Consultancy.

Bollywood actor Anupam Kher believes that yoga can be useful for the people in acting profession, which involves strenuous work routines.

Having fared miserably at the World Cup, Indian cricketers were recently advised by yoga exponent Swami Ramdev -- "Practice Pranayam."

People who dont care much about the spiritual aspect of yoga are also looking towards yoga as a cure for many physical problems and most doctors suggest yoga as a supplement to their regular medical treatment.