Yoga & Fitness

GHRCEM, Pune Organized Yoga Session on Ashtanga Yoga

On 16th October 2024, the Yoga and Fitness Club at G H Raisoni College of Engineering and Management organized an Ashtanga Yoga session for students, faculty, and non-teaching staff members. The program commenced with a warm welcome speech by Dr. Akhya Kumar Behera, who emphasized the importance of yoga in promoting physical and mental well-being.

Trainer and Session Overview

The session was led by Mr. Sharad Deshpande, Assistant Professor and Yoga Coordinator from the Mechanical Department. He began the session with the chanting of the Gayatri Mantra, setting a serene and focused atmosphere for the practice.

Ashtanga Yoga is a dynamic and structured style of yoga that emphasizes a specific sequence of postures, synchronized with breath. This form of yoga was popularized by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in the 20th century and is rooted in ancient texts such as the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

Key Aspects of Ashtanga Yoga

- Physical Practice: Ashtanga Yoga consists of six series of postures, each designed to build strength, flexibility, and stamina. The primary series, known as Yoga Chikitsa, focuses on detoxifying and aligning the body.

- Breath Synchronization: A significant aspect of Ashtanga Yoga is the flowing movement between postures, which emphasizes the importance of breath in transitioning from one pose to another.

- Holistic Approach: The practice combines physical postures with ethical principles, meditation, and breath control (pranayama), promoting overall well-being.

Participation and Conclusion

A total of 49 participants benefited from this enriching yoga session, which provided them with valuable insights into the practice of Ashtanga Yoga and its benefits for both body and mind.  The session concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Akhya Kumar Behera, expressing gratitude to Mr. Sharad Deshpande for his guidance and to all participants for their enthusiastic involvement.

Overall, the Ashtanga Yoga session was a successful initiative by the Yoga and Fitness Club, fostering a culture of health and wellness within the college community. The club looks forward to organizing more such sessions in the future to promote physical fitness and mental clarity among students and staff.