YOGA - the Spine of Life by Sheila Chaman

YOGA - the Spine of Life

by Sheila Chaman

“Yoga is a light, which once lit will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter your flame.” – B.K.S Iyengar

These motivational words of wisdom are by B.K. S. Iyengar who was an Indian yoga teacher, author and founder of the style of yoga as exercise known as “Iyengar Yoga”. He is considered one of the foremost yoga gurus in the world. Recognizing the universal appeal of YOGA, on 11 December 2014, the United Nations proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of Yoga. The first International Day of Yoga was observed around the world on 21 June 2015. The inaugural day was marked with an outdoor event at UN Headquarters in New York attended by the then UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the then Indian Minister for external affairs Sushma Swaraj and many celebrities and dignitaries from India and around the World. I was invited to join in this historic, grand event where all the attendees took part in performing some basic Yoga asanas and got a practical feel of the spiritual, mental and physical benefits of it.

Yoga is meant to keep the mind and body in alignment. The wear and tear and time takes its toll on us as we age. The term ‘ageing gracefully’ really means keeping ourselves agile and spirited in looks and spirit on the outside and inside. Internal maintenance comes with deep breathing, meditation and performing certain basic asanas. Slowly, yoga becomes an integral part of us and a Way of Life. Its manifold benefits can only be felt if practiced daily, dutifully with diligence and discipline.

For me, personally, it has been a boon and a blessing in many ways. Yoga has seen me surface and survive successfully from many medical and emotional traumas. One such life changing incident occurred in the year 1991. I was one of the top News Anchors on National Television of India at that time.

13th July 1991. We were driving by road to Mumbai from Shirdi, a city in Maharashtra, India. It was a cloudy afternoon and the rain-soaked narrow dirt road only contributed to reining in the speed of the car. The kids were taking a nap in the rear seat. I sat in front of the co-driver’s seat. Suddenly, from a distance, I could see a white small car hurtling towards us at high speed and I shouted “ be careful” ! The driver pulled up to the left even further and almost stopped, but, before we knew what was happening, that car came crashing into ours, breaking the wind screen and all the shards were in my face.

Tiny pieces of glass were all over my face and it was bleeding profusely. My face was totally battered, bruised and bashed! After much persuasion a good Samaritan gave us all a lift to Bombay hospital where, luckily, I received the expert care of a good plastic surgeon. My looks had changed completely. Thankfully, no bones were broken and my facial structure was not damaged.

Being a die-hard optimist, I went back to face the Camera and read the news. Since the numerous micro-surgery stitches on my face were still not fully healed, I covered it with micropore tape and put on heavier base make-up over it. The makeup man was full of awe and admiration at my ‘guts’. My colleagues empathized with me but not one of them ever felt sorry which is what I truly appreciated. In fact, I think some of them secretly admired my spirit.

I was back to reading the News again on National Television and the fan mail that often came pouring in, began enquiring if something had happened ? News reports and magazines featured bits and pieces of that fateful day, and, soon it became clear to all that I had surfaced and survived successfully from a rather major accident. I received a compliment from one of my most ardent detractors that my News delivery had become more polished and captivating. Since I knew I had a ‘flaw’ on my face, I put in greater effort in my presentations and bettered my performance.

Yoga gives us the inner strength to ‘just go on’ and have an optimistic attitude towards life. Especially in today’s tumultuous times when the world is going through pandemic, war and strife with pain and poverty around us, the world of yoga provides a shelter for our inner selves to keep the balance of mind and body. Yoga is a haven of peace and tranquility within ourselves that ultimately radiates its aura all around us.

Just a few minutes every day can make a huge difference to our body and mind. Do deep breathing slowly and the ‘anulom vilom’ asana (breathing in through one nostril and breathing out through the other) on day one for 5 minutes. On day two, do some simple stretches and side bends. On day three, lie on a mat and do some basic leg bends and twists to keep the spine supple. Schedule your day and manage your time with yoga and you will reap the benefits all Life long! Yoga is your partner for Life!

Sheila Chaman was the MC for the inaugural event representing India at the 8th World Hindi Conference at UN NY Headquarters in July 2007 where all Hindi speaking countries were representing their government. The then Minister for Foreign Affairs, India, Mr. Anand Sharma attended and the then SG Mr. Ban Ki Moon addressed the august gathering and reminisced about his India connections. Ms Chaman was a premiere national TV News Anchor in India and Talk Show Host. She is a Media personality, Author & Columnist, Former “Miss Young India”, Communication skills expert, MC for International Stage Events, Documentary Producer, Social activist & motivational speaker, Environmentalist and yoga teacher. She participated as a Speaker in the 2022 World Yoga Day Celebration at the Tillman Chapel for the Church Center for United Nations.