Yoga exercises for stress relief and fitness

David Kennedy, Contributor, Jakarta

As growing numbers of Jakartans turn to an exercise that tackles stress, improves health and increases fitness, the demand for classes in yoga, the ancient Indian practice that combines exercises for the body and mind, has begun to exceed supply.

An estimated 20 different gyms and health centers in Jakarta offer courses to the public and more are opening almost monthly to cater to the growing demand.

"As life becomes more stressful, people look for effective ways to relax and reduce stress. I don't think that it's a trend," says Dewivo, 27, who plans to open a new fitness and yoga center in Kemang in May.

Many people, she says, are looking for something more than aerobics as they are aware of the negative impact of stress on their health. Yoga exercises are suitable for everyone, including people with injuries.

Dyah, 38, had an operation in 1993 which prevented her from doing any exercise apart from swimming. She began yoga a year ago and has since regained much of her lost mobility.

"Before, I could not lift both legs off the ground. After nine months my condition slowly improved," she said.

Each yoga posture is designed to have a curative effect on a different part of the body; other exercises and deep breathing are designed to relax and calm the mind.

A typical class begins with slow-breathing exercises and relaxation. This is followed by a series of stretching exercises and postures and ends with more relaxation, meditation, chanting and breathing exercises.

Neeraj Goel, a yoga therapy expert at the Indian Cultural Center in Jakarta says that increasing modernity and awareness of health issues have contributed to yoga's growing popularity."When I ask people why they are taking up yoga they usually say to improve their health, relieve their stress and get stronger," says Goel.

"Everyone suffers from stress and yoga does help to calm the mind and keep the body in shape."

"But it's not like a workout in the gym -- with a minimum of effort we can achieve the same (fitness) results, but it takes patience. You should feel that your body and mind are accepting the exercises," he says.

With studies showing a significant mental component to many illnesses, yoga therapy has been used in India to treat ailments as diverse as hypertension, asthma, sinusitis and spinal injuries.

It is particularly effective in treating stress-related illnesses.

"An Indian government-sponsored scheme I worked on at the Kaivalyadhama Institute near Bombay showed positive results in treating about 70 percent of patients," says Goel.

Yoga therapy takes a holistic approach to healing. The thoughts, emotions and behavior of a person are considered to be as important as their physical condition. A person is only considered to be in perfect health when all four are balanced. Treatments usually take months or years. However, some conditions can improve quickly.

"The vibrations from chanting are very important," says Goel. "They have a soothing effect that brings calm and quiet. Anyone who is very anxious or depressed can be helped immediately."

When first introduced to chanting, yoga students here are sometimes afraid of being converted to a new religion. The historic connection between Yoga and Hindu and Buddhist practices has contributed to this misperception. Yoga teachers are keen to dispel any doubts about religion.

"It has nothing to do with religion and everything to do with humanity," says Goel.

The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit word yuj which means union -- the union of the body and mind and union with God. Scholars argue that this means yoga does not contradict any religion.

There is a lot of confusion about what is essentially a system of health exercises and meditation.

Yudhi Widyantoro, a well-known yoga teacher who has presented classes on Anteve's show Prima Raga, says that while most people just want to try out something new for their health, others have very high expectations.

"Some people ask me how long it will be before they can fly," he says, rolling his eyes upward.

He teaches the popular and fast-growing Ashtanga style of yoga, made famous by celebrities such as Madonna. It is more physically demanding than the traditional Hatha style and tends to be taught in gyms and sports centers.

While flying injuries are not that common, Yudhi warns beginners against pushing themselves too far and urges them to respect their limitations.

"There are many stages to the postures and the body should be adjusted gradually until they come naturally," says Yudhi. "It is important not to push yourself or compete with others."

Beginners are encouraged to tell the teacher about any injuries or ailments as some conditions that could be made worse by the exercises.

"For example, shoulder stands where the legs are lifted above the head can aggravate hypertension," says Yudhi.

Some yoga classes put more emphasis than others on stretching and postures. Gyms and sports centers often offer an athletic form of yoga for their fitness-oriented clients.

One new school, opening at the QB World Plaza in Pondok Indah, South Jakarta at the end of March, claims to be the first yoga- only center in Jakarta. It aims to go back to basics and teach practitioners about Indian spirituality and philosophy.

The manager, Jean Claude, believes that eastern and western perceptions of Yoga are different. He says people here are looking more for the stress relief found in meditation.

"In western countries, it's about postures and contortions," he says.