Uma's Wellness Mantra

I have been practising Yoga regularly for the last 6 years and have come to realise that if you step on the mat with an intention and sincerity and hold on to this intention outside of the yoga practice, life begins to unfold and open up on different spheres. For your practice to help you on your spiritual journey you need to be committed to the practice and become a regular practitioner and as I did that I have seen the changes it has brought about and progressed my spiritual journey. What is being spiritual? According to me being spiritual implies being in the present moment by letting go of the regrets from the past and to stop worrying/ being anxious about the future. To enjoy the present moment, being happy, joyous, peaceful, and becoming a kinder and more compassionate individual. Responding to situations rather than reacting. Observing repetitive situations and changing the way you go about things to bring a different result. This has been brought about by diff...

In continuation with my previous blog. . After much research , I decided to take up a 200 hour Teacher Training Certificate course from Rishikesh Yog Peeth at Rishikesh, India. If you had asked me 5 years earlier did I see myself as a Yoga teacher I would have said you were crazy… but the interesting thing is the more I understood Yoga the greater the transformation in me… Now I can’t imagine a day without my Yoga practice as it has become part of my very being. So much so that my transition to Yoga teacher became complete… now I wish to share those experiences with others beginning their Yoga journey.. At this point in time I was not a great yogi myself (and still aren’t), nor can i get into all the difficult pretzel shaped contorted  poses. That’s one of the great lessons in Yoga… there are no comparisons, no one is ‘better’ than someone else… there is no measuring, badges or stickers… we all progress in the way that works for us and feels right. I have kept...

I didn’t plan to be a yoga teacher in fact nothing was further from my mind. My career was already mapped out as a Dentist…. Back in India parents always want their children to take up a profession and mine was no exception. Having recently returned from passing my degree at Dharwad in 1997, I found myself back in Belgaum looking for work and a suitable life partner. Being interested in my own health and fitness I quickly enrolled into a health club but was looking for something else to complement that. Yoga was mentioned by my mother, as her friend was attending a class… and so my sister and I decided to go and check it out at 6:30 am in the morning! Although my initial intent was to supplement other activities Yoga ended up providing some unexpected additional benefits. Calming the mind for one… I am one of those people who is constantly thinking and chattering away to myself (monkey mind)... and consequently Yoga provided a peaceful oasis where I could settle and rela...

                                                    Why squatting is good for us. Squatting for various activities is very common in rural parts  of India and other Asian countries. Though it is less common in the city dwellers in this era similar to the western nations. The article below highlights multiple benefits of squatting. My intention to bring this article to your attention is to motivate you to squat more often. Find the link..https://quartzy.qz.com/1121077/to-solve-problems-caused-by-sitting-learn-to-squat/  Special thanks to my friend  Chris Ogle for sharing this article on Facebook which prompted me to write this blog. Here are a list of Asanas/ poses that will strengthen your legs by improving hip mobility, quad, hamstrings and glute flexibility which will help you get into a deeper squat . 1. Goddes...

Why Yoga?  Discover About its Multifold Benefits  Yoga has changed my life for the better in many ways. It has not just helped ease aches and pains but has also helped me heal emotionally and grow. I do not suffer from low mood or depression anymore. No more panic attacks or anxiety. I sleep better and Yoga has helped me maintain my weight loss. Yoga has not only given me strength, flexibility and balance on the mat but also off the mat. It has helped let go of many things that do not serve me any more. All of these inspired me to write this article about the healing qualities of  regular Yoga practice. It is definitely not a surprise that Yoga has now been inscribed as an element in the UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2016. With all the research and scientific studies going on, the medical science has come to realise that many diseases are of psychosomatic nature. Yoga not only has physical health benefits but it also has ef...

You are thinking of joining a Yoga class or having finally decided to try one, you Google it only to find that you are totally confused with the search result. Which one to go for? Hatha? Or Ashtanga? What is Hot yoga? Vinyasa?? Naked Yoga ? Beer Yoga ??. Yes all these types do exist. When you are spoilt for choice it is difficult to decide. Just this confusion can scare off a newbie and put them off the mat forever. I am going to outline a few types of Yoga which might clear your confusion and help you decide. “Though not all classes are designed for all bodies, all bodies are absolutely designed for Yoga”. Hatha Yoga A branch of Yoga that uses physical exercises ( Asanas) along with pranayama ( breathing techniques) and meditation to connect the mind body and breath. This in turn helps you to connect with yourself for self transformation and growth. Ha-Meaning Sun/masculine aspects- active and hot. Tha-Meaning Moon/ feminine aspect- receptive and cool. Thus, H...

When I ask people to come to ‘ Chair Yoga’ people often think I mean using the chair as some kind of apparatus in the practice… I suppose they are kind of correct, as people do sit on the chair, or lean on it… No need to bring a chair either… we have plenty of chairs! Chair yoga is a creative way to make yoga accessible to individuals who would not normally be able to participate. For example, those who are suffering with disabilities, arthritis, recovering from surgery or illness, weight challenges. It is also an excellent way to exercise for senior’s in our communities, or busy people who can't find time for the gym, or indeed anyone who would find it  difficult to  get down on the floor or mat. Inspite of practising yoga seated on a chair or using a chair for support one can still reap all the benefits yoga has to offer. To name a few benefits, it improves circulation, strengthens muscles, increases flexibility, lubricates joints, improves range of motion and mobil...