TODAY

With increasing knowledge and information available people take their health matters somewhat seriously. Health is about diet on the one hand and physical exercise on the other. The latter goes in two forms: competition against one another and quiet and passive activities concentrating on personal health. Thus yoga discipline already famous in the west is coming back to Asia slowly but steadfastly.

First a little bio-data of yours please

I am a native of kyaukme in Shan State (North). I first took up aerobics in 9^th Grade, then attended the state and Division (Region) level instructorship course. Next in 2000 was referees course for the higher basic level. I was active for three years as a sportswoman as well as physical education instructor. Then I lost sight of sports for some time for my studies at university of Distance Education in Mandalay. Once in Yangon I became an aerobics instructor again. In the past I taught aerobics as well as swimming.

At what age did you learn yoga?

About seven years ago in 2003, at age 25.

How come you chose it for a career?

That was not intended. But once into yoga there is no getting out of it for my love of that discipline.

Where did you start learning it?

I served as aerobics instructor at Vilas for five years, taking it seriously. Yoga became my major occupation as its principal teacher took a long leave for travel.

Where and when was yoga born?

Yoga was a spiritual discipline in ancient India. Some rock paintings dating back to 3000 BC are claimed to depict how yoga was practiced then. In 300 BC a certain rishi (hermit) wrote a treatise called Yoga Sutra, leading to the making of a fad of yoga today.

Why yoga exercise has become more popular in the West than the Orient?

Westerners have found it to be effective due to their creative and analytical use of the discipline. Sometimes yoga can help certain untreatable diseases. Then they have improved on yoga techniques. Lately they have developed Hot yoga and Iron yoga, and scientifically at that. These have spread to the East, and popularity.

What are the differences between yoga and religious meditation?

Essentially, they are different. Meditation helps one to see the truth because the mediator concentrates, without hindrances, on an object for long. But yoga discipline follows along natural lines while going for general wellbeing by working the body. Physical health means good blood circulation, and so should help religious meditation, ie better concentration. In the past era the yoga was taken up as preliminary exercise to lead to long sitting mediation.

What does yoga bring up as benefits?

Yoga helps one a lot internally and externally at the same time. The mind under control of the brain becomes clam; self-control and concentration are improved; natural foods become preferable; blood in good circulation is bound to the better purified; and metabolism is doing fine. As the blood vessels and nerves are being made to relax the joints and muscles concerned become more flexible, leading to rejuvenation and longevity.

Does yoga discriminate against gender or age?

No. it does not. It is accessible to all.

How many hours should be spent practicing yoga per day?

At least an hour; that is enough to help blood circulation.

What time of the day and place are best for yoga?

The start of sunrise is best when oxygen is being produced by plants and the air is pure too. But one’s lifestyle would have demands so choose the time which suits you best. The place must be well ventilated. The main player, oxygen, must reach all the vessels in the lungs. So the blood in circulation, from the heart and back, must have access to a lot of oxygen.

Do yoga exercises need accessories?

Some need them and some not. A small carpet should be better than hard floor. Small pillows to protect the knee, and towels to facilitate ‘pulling’ may be used. Then Eye Pillows may be used for relaxation. Yoga all along its history has no need for a special place, time of day, or circumstances. It is mainly how to hold a posture.

Are music and fragrant smells required?

Music would soften your heart, and a smell like lavender calms down the mind and contributes to a good sleep. Lighting is important, and full relaxation requires total darkness. Otherwise skin cells do not get to rest; they have to keep working to help produce energy. When you go to sleep, keep it totally dark for full relaxation.

Any dietary discipline required?

Yoga involves the physical body inside and out, including the alimentary canal. Some set of postures requires an empty stomach four hours beforehand. Though yoga some internal hormones are assumed to be changed. After several weeks of yoga one tends to feel like eating natural foods only. Avoidance of unhealthy foods becomes sort of automatic. Craving of foods is virtually no more.

What difficulties are encountered by a beginner of yoga exercise?

It depends on the individual. And his/her constitution and bone structure rather than being obese or not. Sets of posture are easy to follow to some, but limited to others. Then, time tells a lot. Yoga postures cannot be forced, but usually progress slowly through practice. Most people, seemingly take up yoga for years. Every practice day counts. Once the sets of postures become familiar yoga is not heavy work any more.

Obstacles you encountered as yoga instructor?

Nothing big so far, may be for my tendency to follow the middle way. I let a trainee go only so far as she can.

How do you deal with stress?

To me it is wished away through a session of yoga exercise. Sometimes I am much tired, what with social affairs, housework and children. Then active participation in a yoga class in quite effective to eliminate stress. However, conducting a yoga class is never tiring.

How do you train difficult trainees?

The trainee is responsible for this obstacle, which should not be discouraging because instant reward in any work is almost impossible. But I will ease the trainee along.

Can the obese lose weight through yoga?

These working steadily and steadfastly should be rewarded to some extent. Some exercises are meant to remove extra fat. But well-proportioned Body would be dictated by original structure.

What sort of exercises are deemed best?

All are beneficial- every set of postures could be deemed best but it may differ from person to person. But all sets seem best to me.

What advice would you give a beginner?

I say, Do it once, to know of the potential. Some claim to be interested in yoga, but never put it to trial. From health perspective there would be a vast difference between a practiser and a non-practiser when one’s age starts to tell. The former is found to be hardy and active. Being healthy or not should be evident to women by age 50. However no age is too late to take up yoga. It will still benefit the practiser.

What else are you trying to learn?

Yoga-related matters. Now yoga for pregnant women. I want to contribute more to that. Nowadays formerly unknown diseases have cropped up. Crops still tainted with insecticides and readymade foods make for poison-like fare for consumption. So I would like to fight against it through yoga classes. Then I am bent on movement in general, which is life-like. Standing still means no progress, that’s how I feel. Hence yoga for me always.

Please tell me about your yoga class?

Nan Mo Yoga class eaters for yoga, aerobics and dancing. Another class goes on at Inya Lake Hotel, the whole week round.

Are branch classes being envisioned in other cities and towns?

Yes, they are. Instructors need to be produced. There’s a lot to do.

Anything to add?

As it is known to all, health is all important. But its potential is often overlooked. An hour out of 24 should be, or needs to be, set aside  for physical activity. So my suggestion is : you just do it.

Thank you for your time given to this interview.

Translated by U Nyunt Thaung