We are all aware that Yoga offers physical and mental benefits to people of all age groups. But, the most important benefit that Yoga offers is that it relaxes you to help you sleep better. And therefore, it benefits heart health. Magzmumbai spoke to an experienced Yoga teacher, who has been teaching Yoga for almost 42 years. Naina Deshpande from Andheri, Mumbai has trained thousands of women in Mumbai and some of them are celebrities and lady doctors too. Today, at 70+ she possesses the same enthusiasm, when it comes to teaching Yoga and talking about the benefits of Yoga.
In the year 1980 when Naina’s child was one year old, she did a Teachers’ Training Course at Nimbalkar’s Institute in Dadar. Thereafter, she started training small batches of 10 female students at Vikroli. After shifting to Andheri, Naina began her Yoga classes at Karmaveer Sports Club, Seven Bungalows, Andheri. Her batches used to begin at 6.30 am in the morning. There was very good response and therefore she had to take batches in two sessions, extended upto 6.30 pm.
What was most important was the feedback she received from the trainees. While talking about the success stories of her students, Naina highlighted the case of a woman who was asked to undergo by pass surgery. “This aged woman kept on avoiding the suggested heart surgery, stating that she didn’t want to burden her son with the expenses for this surgery. I asked her as to how much of time she would be able to give for Pranayama during the entire day. And she agreed to give whatever time she was free. She practiced Pranayama whenever she found time for the next few months. After that when her son forced her to visit the surgeon for check up before surgery, to their surprise, there were no blocks. So, there was no need for a surgery. That lady directly visited my place from there and bowed down with her head on my feet. I asked her to get up and patted her back for sincerely practicing Yoga and especially ‘Pranayama’ for the past few months.”
There are ample benefits of Yoga, which people are well aware but can’t find time to practice regularly. Naina suggests that Yoga practices are a must for all in today’s busy lifestyle, especially in a city like Mumbai. For the past two years Naina could not conduct her classes due to spread of Corona pandemic. She did attempt online training, but wasn’t satisfied . But now, its time for her to resume with her good work. Her husband Suresh Deshpande an architect by profession, is very supportive. Magzmumbai wishes her all the best to this dedicated Yoga teacher to spread the importance of Yoga in our society.