BHARATI PAWASKAR
Yogasanas are not exercise, but rather very subtle processes to manipulate one’s energies in a particular direction. It is believed that by consciously forming the body into a certain posture, one creates a conducive passage for energy flow that can elevate one’s consciousness. How many of us keep this in mind while doing Yogasanas? Ask Anuj Naik, a promising young champion from Goa who has taken Yogasanas to an altogether next level, by the firmness of his mind and the flexibility of his body to perform any difficult ‘asana’ with an ease!
Anuj, who has just answered his SSC exam from the People’s High School, Panaji, is aspiring to join commerce stream in St Xavier’s College, Mapusa. Beginning from standard V at People’s High School, Anuj showed remarkable success individual performances. In 14thState Yoga Championship he stood second in 11-14 years age group.
Similarly, in the 16th State Yoga Championship 2017 in the 14-17 age group his position was 4th consolation. In the 17th State Yoga Championship 2018 in 16-18 age group he bagged first position and made his school, his parents, Deepak and Shubhangi Naik as well as his Yoga teacher Santoshi Patil, proud. In Under-14 category he has participated in the 39th National Yogasana Sports Championship (2014-15) organised by the Yoga Federation of India at Hyderabad.
“But I was really happy to win a Bronze medal with a third place in the under-17 age category, in the National Yoga Olympiad - 2016 organised by National Council of Education Research and Training (NCERT) under the aegis of the ministry of Human Resources Development and ministry of AYUSH at New Delhi,” recalls Anuj who has been practicing Yogasanas for almost seven years now and has mastered the art. Fond of eating only healthy food, Anuj restricts himself from consuming oily and junk food.
“I wish to take up my passion to the ultimate level and be a Yoga instructor, training others and spreading awareness regarding the positive benefits of Yogasanas. I can vouch that it has improved my concentration level, it keeps my mind calm and free from anxiety, it maintains balance in my mental health and retains my physical wellbeing. I am in a joyful mood all the time. What else does a person need to lead a good, stress-free life?” asks Anuj.
Recently, he offered a proud moment to his school when he represented school team and also performed as individual in the under-17 age category at Yoga Federation of India’s National Yoga Sports Championship (2018-19) held in Punjab.
In his home-state Goa, Anuj has displayed his extraordinary skills during the Secondary School Sports held by the directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, government of Goa and won many trophies in different age group categories during all these years. There seems to be a consistency which he has maintained in winning positions.
This year 2018-19 under-17 category he maintained all firsts at school as well as individual level at taluka, district and state. At state school level he secured third position.
Asked about his experiences in Yogasanas, Anuj smiles and states, “Once you start, it automatically becomes a habit for the mind and the body. Appropriate breathing has to be maintained throughout, or else the body gets cramps and becomes hot. The asanas are looked upon as a relief from chronic health conditions. They help in stabalising the body, mind and energy system. For those who hate aging, Yogasanas help in deceleration of the aging process. Yoga makes you ageless. Learn and do it!”
