Shri Sabir is Assistant Professor at K. J. Somaiya Bharatiya Sanskriti Peetham since 2013. He is also the Joint Secretary of Indian Yoga Association, Maharashtra Chapter.  He has been conducting Yoga classes since 16 years and hastrained more than 5000 students so far. In an exclusive interaction with Sanhita Joshi-Ranade, Shri Sabir speaks about his journey and association with Yoga

SJR: To begin with, we would like to know what inspired you to take up Yoga? What was the turning point which motivated you to study and to inculcate Yoga in your life? 

SMS: I was leading a life of a workaholic, fully engrossed in the transport business and trading. Lack of discipline and tedious work led to severe lower back issues and hypertension. After two months of physiotherapy, my doctor suggested me to start practicing Yoga. Having asked him what is Yoga, he laughed at me saying that Yoga now going to be my savior. He said that though you are 31 years old young guy, your body appears to be of 50 years old.

While entering in Yoga Vidya Niketan at Vashi in March 2002, cigarette in one hand, I was wondering on how Yoga is going to help me. Instructed by the watchman, I put the cigarette out of the gate. That was the last time I smoked my last puff, the turning point in my life which led me to the path of Yoga forever. After counseling by Mr. Vijay Chitnis and Mr. Vijay Save and the Yoga practice under the able guidance of Mr. Kulkarni, I joined the Yoga teachers training Course (YTTC). He encouraged me to join this. Out of sheer respect for him, I took the course ‘Diploma in Yoga Education’ at YTTC. And, the journey of getting healed and healing others began. The humility, love, and affection of Guruji Padmashree Sadashiv Nimbalkarji turned me into a Yoga person that I am today.  

SJR: Nowadays, Yoga is perceived as the means to stay healthy and physically fit. Apart from conducting various workshops, you train and nurture teachers to propagate the knowledge of Yoga. As a teacher and trainer, what is your experience with the perception towards Yoga of those who approach you? What are the purposes or the intentions with which people opt for Yoga?

SMS: Yoga is a science of emancipation, a process leading to liberation, Self-realization. In simple words, it is about knowing the self. To achieve fitness, people like me opt for Yoga practice but they end up going beyond physical fitness.

I never dreamt of becoming a Yoga teacher at any point in time. I am a student and still improving. Guruji (Nimbalkarji) always used to tell us that ‘if you want to learn more about Yoga, then start teaching whatever you know. This will benefit more than those whom you teach.’ And during those days, people wanted to become Yoga teachers to help others through Yogic practices especially to those who are in the need.

Today, Yoga is changed into a profession in itself. Due to its commercialization, the identity of Yoga as a science of spirituality is fading over time. Yoga can heal anybody and anyhow has become the most popular belief. People opt for Yoga to be able to teach and to gain monetary benefits out of it. Learning Yoga has become one of the requisites to be qualified as a professional physical trainer.  

However, on the other hand, with the time, the number of people are turning to Yoga and are in the path to realize its prime objective. At least, the passion and the curiosity about Yoga among the people is ignited. One thing I can assure is that Yoga gradually brings about subtle changes in a person and turns him into his better version. The main aim of Yoga is to enlighten the ignorant. Hence, people from all walks of life get associated with Yoga. Hence, Yoga is indeed a blessing for those who surrender themselves to this way of life.

SJR: Currently, on different platforms of social media, the immense information regarding Yoga is published. Various trainers, enthusiasts, Yoga Acharya-s, various institutes of Yoga have their websites, their Facebook/Twitter pages, their YouTube channel where articles, lectures, demonstrations, and guidance on numerous topics are easily available. At times, this leads to confusion for a layman as to which of various schools, techniques, and methods of Yoga are to be followed. What is your take on this?

Every person is unique with a different nature, habits, and perceptions. Every type of traditional Yoga essentially focuses on Health, Healing, and Harmony. A person with a high level of energy would opt for fast and rigorous Ashtanga Yoga which eventually leads him to calmness and tranquillity. Some people like to do simple and easy Hatha-yogic routine. Whereas others prefer challenging advanced Hatha-yoga postures. Every tradition leads to one aim of Yoga: Self-realization. Yoga practice should not revolve around the hours. The qualitative time spent in the practice of Yoga matters a lot. The journey deep within oneself is the ultimate goal with which Yoga aims for.

Some kinds of Yoga practices such as Hot Yoga, Dog Yoga, Beer Yoga, Nude Yoga, Aerial Yoga, Aqua Yoga, and so on lead people to nowhere. Hence, the blessings of Guru and the guidance of a good teacher is of great significance in such practices.

SJR: With regards to Yoga, certain ambiguities, and several inhibitions such as social, religious, gender-based exist. Also, when some illness occurs and it becomes incurable by Modern Medicine, people tread the path of Yoga and try to find solace in it through therapies, Naturopathy, etc. In your opinion, how much inhibitions and illness-driven inclination among people towards Yoga can be changed? Is Yoga beyond therapy or treatment?  

SMS: Yoga is not a therapy, but a science of Spirituality. Many misconceptions and myths prevail in the society which needs steadfast efforts to spread awareness and knowledge about the real nature of Yoga. Yoga has its therapeutic advantages. However, it is not a mainstream healing mechanism. It complements other healing sciences like Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Allopathy, etc.

People suffering due to various diseases and disorders realize the fact that Yogic practices train you to understand your body, mind, and soul. It shapes your outlook on life and imparts wisdom. It helps to dissolve all dualities, dichotomies from which suffering, pain originates. Hence, severe diseases can even be managed. It’s a journey that inculcates attitude to attain equilibrium as stated in the Bhagavad Gita “Samatvam Yoga Uchyate” (2.48).

SJR: 65% of India’s population is Youth which possesses consciousness about physical fitness. However, we find that mental health among the young generation is flickering. Please share with us how does Yoga helps to balance both physical and mental fitness? Most importantly, why Young generation should practice Yoga? What are the five important Yogic practices which they should do?

SMS: Our youth is strong, full of instincts, intelligent, independent, ambitious, and enthusiastic. We need a modern outlook but not at the cost of losing our culture, our values, our uniqueness, rich heritage. The kind of approach many youngsters have today towards life is leading them to the wrong lifestyle, addiction to bad habits, and identity crisis.

The connection with their family is getting lost day by day. The world does not need just doctors, engineers, chartered accountants. It needs good human beings and responsible citizens. The distinguishing faculty needs to be cultivated and their wisdom to know good/bad, right/wrong, and permanent/impermanent needs to be nurtured. This will certainly take them away from violence, flickering mind, unacceptance of failure, suicidal instincts. In this, the practice of Yoga plays an immensely crucial role. It imparts the holistic approach to life. It possesses an integrated mechanism to build ethical understanding, clarity of mind, patience, peace, and harmony. These practices improve your physical, mental, social, emotional, and intellectual health.

Asana leads to the strengthening of the physical body. While Shuddhi Kriya helps in purification and in balancing the tridosha-s. Pranayama helps in purifying the nerves and steadying the mind. Dharana – Dhyana (concentration and meditation) leads to the pacification of the mind. Hence, life-long commitment to Yoga at this young age by our youth is the need of an hour.

SJR: Yoga is considered as an attitude towards life. What is this Yogic approach towards life and what should be done to imbibe the same? 

SMS: Training the mind with the right ethical approach leads to a successful life. Concepts such as Chittaprasadanam (keeping the mind blissful), Pratipakshabhavanam, Yama (Self Restraint), and Niyama (Self Observance) cultivate this right attitude towards life.

Also, Ahaar (Right Intake), Vihar (Right Recreation), Achar (Right Behaviour), Vichar (Right Thinking), and Vyavahar (Right communication) are taught in the scriptures of Yoga. The philosophy behind Yoga needs to be brought on the surface and propagated amongst all. The basic tenets of Patanjala Yoga Sutra, Bhagavad Gita, Jnaneshwari, Dasabodha, Hathapradipika, Gheranda Samhita, etc. throw light on the very purpose of life to all of us.