Originating in India, yoga is an ancient practice that combines breathing, movement, and meditation to improve your physical and mental health. It is not surprising to see masses of foreigners doing yoga in places like Times Square in New York. The popularity of yoga is certainly increasing by the day. In Goa, however, is it as popular among the local population?
Challenges of practising and teaching yoga
The response in the years that Stacy has been teaching yoga is good but the ratio of the non-Hindus practicing yoga is still comparatively lesser. The challenge for her was that people had to understand that yoga is for everyone. Stacy said, “Yoga is beyond caste, class, religion etc. The biggest challenge I face is people watching social media and assuming things. For example, only particular yoga postures can help lose weight. Secondly, certain practices which are prescribed according to body type are openly shared on social media and people try it and face problems as well after trying. Gaining half knowledge from social media and helping the people who approach me to understand what is reality is, is a challenge.”
Practising yoga
Clisha Diniz has been practising yoga for a year and is on a break now. She intends to go back to the group and start again. She said it was great doing yoga because it helped her handle her diabetes. “It was a great experience, and I hope to do it all my life,” she said.
Stacy Rodrigues, who conducts classes where she teaches holistic yoga practices said it was always interesting practising yoga in the State. She said, “The students are very motivated for sure. I am doing my duty of providing health so I have no complaints on that front. The experience has always been good but what feels bad is the approach of people towards yoga. People simply practice yoga only as a physical exercise but yoga is much more than that. Yoga is a science and very few people approach it or even know about it in that way. And this approach towards yoga is not just with Goans but even people around India and around the world. Secondly, people still feel yoga is coming from a religion but this is not the truth. It is sad that we don't want to inquire about the depot and only speak with the limited knowledge that we have.”
Local apathy
George, the administration in charge of a yoga institute in the south, was focused on training teachers who would guide students. They received interested people from all over the country and from places like London, Dubai and Paris but Goans were not part of the group. George said, “I feel the Goans are interested in going to the gym instead of learning yoga. Perhaps, it is their diet that makes them go to the gym as their focus is on non-veg food.”
Still motivated
Anisha Naik, a Goan who does yoga said she was interested and participated in a class four times. People around her were all into yoga and she intended to continue doing it for the rest of her life. “It gives me peace of mind
as well as helped give my life focus,” Anisha said.
Sonia Fernandes said she was interested and would be taking up yoga shortly though she did not say when. She said she had attended a class once and was quite taken up with it but due to paucity of time she had not taken the step. She said she would prefer to go in the morning and start the day with yoga.
Yoga has definitely found its roots in Goa but it will certainly take some time before Goans take to
its magic in droves.