Mrs Kamuben Palan, director at Golden Tours, unexpectedly embarked on her yoga journey when her children left for university. Attending a session led by Ramdev in London sparked her inspiration, further fueled by her own yoga teacher's excellence. Teaching friends while they were away revealed her passion and skill, leading her to instruct for enjoyment and fulfilment.
She extends her teachings to private groups of all ages and backgrounds, ensuring everyone can access yoga's transformative potential. Even individuals in their 70s benefit from practices like Mudras and pressure points, enhancing circulation and overall well-being. Kamuben remains dedicated to sharing yoga's profound benefits with as many individuals as possible. In an interview with Asian Voice, she spoke about the Yoga techniques like breathing, importance of practice and message for World Yoga Day.
Kambuben noted that practising specific kriyas, mudras, and breathing exercises in yoga help manage health issues. She said, “For example, I've noticed that many people experience frequent urination at night, which disrupts their sleep. I teach them a simple kriya or hand mudra to practise for five minutes every night. By performing this mudra, which involves blocking the little fingers representing water, they can significantly reduce nighttime urination. This helps them avoid waking up every two hours and improves their overall sleep quality. Many of my students have reported waking up only once or not at all during the night after practising this technique.”
“I also provide guidance for other health issues such as blood pressure and diabetes. For those unable to perform Asanas, I recommend specific breathing exercises, mudras, or pressure points to manage these conditions. Many have successfully reduced or eliminated their need for medication by following these practices, breaking the vicious cycle of medication and its side effects”, she added.
Kamuben extends her teaching to younger groups, who are often enthusiastic about learning challenging Asanas and improving their strength and overall health. They focus on holding postures longer to enhance muscle strength and respiratory and digestive systems. Her classes cater to individuals of all ages and backgrounds, ensuring everyone can access yoga's transformative power. Beyond daily Asana practice, incorporating techniques like mudras, breathing exercises, and pressure points offers significant health benefits, making yoga accessible and beneficial for all.
Kamuben emphasises the importance to practise yoga at least four days a week, if not daily. She said, “Practising once a week won't yield significant benefits, as progress in yoga takes time and consistency. I encourage regular practitioners to rely on their own bodies rather than props. This helps them understand their body's capabilities and limitations better. However, props can be useful when necessary. For those who find certain poses challenging, I recommend using everyday items found at home, such as walls, books, cushions, and pillows, rather than buying new equipment.”
“Using props sparingly ensures that you can practise yoga anywhere, without the need to carry extra equipment. Your body is always with you, and learning to use it effectively is key to becoming more flexible over time. By consistently practising and gradually challenging your body, you can achieve significant improvements in your flexibility and overall yoga practice,” she added.
Kamuben credits India, particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi's introduction of International Yoga Day, for the significant strides made in popularising yoga. This initiative has spurred a widespread embrace of yoga, an ancient practice deeply rooted in Indian culture and Hinduism. Historically underappreciated, yoga's resurgence has brought myriad health benefits to countless individuals. However, in the Western world, yoga has often been misrepresented and commercialised. True yoga emphasises achieving inner union rather than merely performing physical exercises in fashionable attire. She advocates for simplicity and dedication in reaping yoga's benefits. Regular practice, even for just 10 to 15 minutes daily, can notably enhance overall well-being and health. By incorporating both physical postures and breathing exercises, consistent yoga practice can effectively address various ailments, including heart issues.
