New yoga committee for a coordinated approach |09 August 2012

The fact that human beings are made up of three components – body, mind and soul – there are three corresponding needs to these components – health, knowledge and inner peace. Researchers have found that health is physical need, knowledge is our psychological needs and inner peace is spiritual need. And when all three are present then there is harmony.

Over the past five years or so, many Seychellois have been practicing yoga in search of this harmony and it is fitting that there is an executive body – Yoga Association of Seychelles (YAS) – which has just been formed to better regulate the practice of this art.

The first chairperson of the YAS executive committee is Adriana Auguste and she has said the aim of the association is to help people become more aware of what yoga entails as well as its health, physical and psychological benefits.

“Yoga is good for one’s health, therefore it is important that people who practice this art understands its benefits. We will also work on getting more people to take up yoga,” said Mrs Auguste.

To become a member of the YAS, people who practice yoga and those who would like to join must fill in a form and pay a membership fee of R200.  They will also have to pay R200 monthly to follow sessions at the Exiles Club from 5pm to 6pm on Mondays and Wednesdays. Payment should be made in advance.

Mrs Auguste added that they intend to run sessions at the Glacis community centre in the near future and also have classes from 6pm to 7pm for people who finish work late.
“We also plan to organise sessions for people of different ages as there is a demand,” added Mrs Auguste.

The other members of the YAS are Josette Ragain (vice-chairperson), Lorna Low-Hong (secretary), Steve Thélermont (treasurer), Taciana Labrosse and Jeanine Marie (members).

Those who wish to get more information on yoga in Seychelles can contact either Mrs Auguste on 2516811 or Steve Thélermont on 2566597.

The benefits of yoga are numerous. It improves physical fitness, stress, controls general well-being, mental clarity and greater self-understanding.

The yoga postures (asanas) enhance muscle strength, coordination, flexibility and can help to keep our body fit, control cholesterol level, reduce weight, normalise blood pressure and improve cardiovascular performance.

The mental techniques include breathing exercises (pranayama) and meditation or (dhyana) to discipline the mind.

Studies have also shown that yoga can be a powerful enhancement for sportsmen and women in regular training exercises. Adding yoga in a routine training programme helps develop strength, flexibility, range of motion, concentration, and cardiovascular health and reduces stress, tension and tightness. The most significant benefit of adding yoga to a training programme is its effect on performance. It allows an athlete to train harder and a higher level because the motion is greater and the fear of injury lessens.
G. G.