By Kingsley Emmanuel
SPARTAN Health Science University School of Medicine is on a campaign to spread the importance of yoga for healthy living.
The University has recently secured the services of a yoga specialist from India to carry out the exercises which have already begun. He is Sri Yogi Devaraj, who specializes in AtmaDarshana Yoga, and is the founder and president of Swamy Vivekananda Yoga Research and Holistic Health Trust, based in India.
The programme commenced at the university last week, where faculty staff and students along with their families were educated on the importance and benefits of yoga in their daily lives. They were also taught a number of exercises which required techniques in breathing and the art of meditation.
After the exercise, participants said they felt relaxed and described the event as very educational.
Next week a similar exercise will be held at Coco Palm hotel in Gros Islet and in the future, various communities throughout the island will be involved.
Devarj told THE VOICE that yoga will assist the students in their studies, adding that it will help them to forget about the negatives and concentrate more on the positives. He said students tend to worry about the amount of work that is required to pass exams and the consequences of failing them.
He said yoga will help the students to be more productive and efficient in their studies and relieve them of the conflict of the mind, which they may experience.
“Students wish to have a good memory. They need to forget about negative things and avoid depression,” he said.
Devarj called on the general public to make use of the opportunity which will be afforded them to create a positive change in their lives and lifestyles, as it relates to their health and general well-being.
Dr. BoopathiSubramaniam, Director of Students Affairs at the school said the exercise will enable the students to attain good health and achieve a high level of consciousness.
“The exercise will ultimately help the students to concentrate more on their studies and achieve their goals in life,” he said.
Dr. Subramaniam said the Swamy Vivekananda Yoga Research and Holistic Health Trust has established a collaboration effort with the school which will go a long way in promoting yoga on the island, adding that the exercise will be an ongoing one. He said the school has already begun promoting the programme by distributing flyers and sending emails to various business establishments on island.