You’re never too young or too old for yoga, and Indian yoga guru Hamsaji Yogendra is a living example. She started practicing yoga at the age of three. Now at the age of 76 and decades since, she has been educating the world about the philosophy, psychology and practice of yoga. With her calm demeanor and charismatic personality, Hamsaji, through her social media presence, is becoming a catalyst in spreading the goodness of yoga for physical and mental health among the youth.

Hansaji Yogendra, director of the Yoga Institute in Mumbai since 1997, is interested in educating women about the benefits of yoga at various stages of life. In this exclusive Healthshots She Slays interview, the accomplished author, yoga expert, educator and motivational speaker shares her journey, the global popularity of yoga, the gender disparity in the yoga field and why everyone should focus on overall health rather than looks.

Q. Can you share your early experiences with yoga?

Hamsaji Yogendra: I was born in a Jain family and there was always a certain discipline in the house. I was put into yoga when I was three years old. My father studied from a yoga institute. When he came home, he was forced to perform various asanas. Sitting with eyes closed is a challenge, but the challenge is who can sit still for long? My three brothers and I were challenged and more often than not I won. Then we were asked to do Savasana (corpse pose) without moving the body. As children, we were trained like this and we were never placed in comics or any other magazines. It helped us to start infusing the spirit of yoga in our personality. As I grew older, I began to like this subject. why Because it taught me to be stable for a while.

Q. In recent years we have seen a significant increase in the popularity of yoga around the world. Your thoughts?

Hamsaji Yogendra: Initially, yoga was not very popular. Besides, women used to fear their husbands coming to the center to learn yoga. It is said that they will become saints and monks. Yes, yoga is associated with saints and monks. But at Yoga Institute, we teach yoga to householders. We made it very clear that instead of crying at home that our husbands will leave us, you should come here and do something for yourself. Be fit, healthy and strong. So, slowly, women started learning.

Yoga has been accepted very fast abroad. People have learned yoga and some foreigners come to India and teach yoga. At that time in India, there was a concept that somehow something from abroad would be good. They did not appreciate imported Indian goods very much and yoga itself was like an imported thing to them. However, yoga is slowly becoming popular again in India. In every country I’ve been to, people really wanted to learn yoga because they found it helped them not only on a physical level, but also on an emotional and mental level.

Q. Historically, yoga has been male dominated. Has the landscape of yoga changed in terms of gender representation?

Hamsaji Yogendra: Actually there is no gender discrimination in spirituality. We don’t talk about men and women at all. In spirituality, we talk about a person’s state of mind and they are divided accordingly. I have no problem teaching yoga to householders. A woman is most important as a housewife. She is the center around which the whole family always revolves. That concept is clear to us that every person – man or woman – should learn how to live life and live independently.

Q. The media often portrays a certain type of yoga body that discourages people who don’t fit this stereotype. How can we challenge these unrealistic standards?

Hamsaji Yogendra: Yes, physical fitness seems to have made some rules these days. One is zero figure! Everyone wants to be a zero figure. But being figure zero doesn’t mean you’re healthy – at all. For health, it is important for a person to be flexible, free from illness and disease and have a balanced state of mind.

Body wise, you may be trim and slim or you may be a little chubby, it doesn’t matter. As you grow older, maintaining a slim and trim body becomes a difficult task, especially when a woman is in menopause. A woman should always prioritize her health more than beauty… Don’t give undue importance to outward appearances Give importance to your personality, how you are as a person, how you act, the words you speak, how caring and compassionate you are. These things are highly considered for healthy living.

Watch Hamsaji Yogendra’s video interview on Healthshots!

Q. At the age of 76, you are a testament to the benefits of yoga for maintaining physical and mental agility. Can you tell us about your routine?

Hamsaji Yogendra: I am now 76 years old. I know I should spend some time on my body, but I’m struggling. But I realized that yoga should be integrated into people’s daily routine.

It became difficult for me to spend time apart and I’m sure it’s difficult for any woman who has to juggle multiple duties. But there are little things you can do throughout the day. As soon as you wake up, do some stretches and asanas. Take some deep breaths, sit in meditation for a while in the morning. Never have your mobile in front of you in the morning. Keep your attention in the closet. Some exercises can also be done while taking a bath. Some of the things I do in the bathroom while I’m taking a shower are bending forward, bending back, sitting, standing up, twisting, holding hands behind the back… you can do these easily too.

Make sure you take a timely and healthy breakfast. Food should be taken at regular intervals, preferably at a gap of 4 hours. Simplify your eating habits, simplify your other habits. Before eating, I bow to the ground and thank Mother Earth, and then automatically do what you call Hastapadasana (food posture with hands). This will give your spine and arms a good stretch, as well as increase circulation to your head.

I also go for morning, afternoon and evening walks. Naturally, the body gets better oxygen when you walk. You can also intersperse breathing exercises and meditation throughout the day.

Good sleep is also important. So after sunset, I make sure I don’t eat so when I go to sleep, my stomach is practically empty. How do I maintain my health, maintain my mood and enthusiasm. I work all day, but I enjoy every moment of my work. If you enjoy what you do, you will not get tired.

I believe that one can live a very smooth and healthy life if one can imbibe the essence of yoga in daily routines.

Also Read: Once a pilot, celeb trainer Anshuka Parvani has found new wings in yoga

Q. What message would you like to share with the younger generation?

Hamsaji Yogendra: The younger generation has picked up only the physical aspect of yoga. Physically, I would strongly suggest that you keep changing as you age. You can’t do something as difficult as twisting at any age. Your asanas, pranayama and meditation must be modified according to your age and health. A person with a depressive personality should never meditate. That person should do more pranayama, more asanas. Everyone should understand these things and make your choice accordingly.

Everything in yoga is for the mind. The asanas we do also train the mind. Today’s youth have a fickle mind. Keep your mind steady. And then with that fixed mind, when you choose some area to gain knowledge, you will gain a greater grip on that knowledge and grow healthier with it.

Q. What are five things you recommend people do to increase longevity?

Hamsaji Yogendra: There are basic things that you must follow for a healthy life.

1. Being happy is the first thing you should do in life.
2. Take care of your body
3. Maintain your friendships
4. Always pursue your passions
5. Work on self-improvement and spiritual upliftment