Regular practice of Yoga can help burn calories and fine-tune muscles. The mind and body workouts involving stretching poses with deep breathing and meditation can be done by everyone. There is no time, place and age restriction to perform Yoga, explains Susmitarani Rout, a 17-year-old yoga exponent in the city, who is on a mission, to make Odisha fit through Yoga.
Susmita, who is pursuing her Plus III course in RD Women’s College in the city, is dedicated to the spread of the ancient healing practice through proper training and orientation.
Susmitarani was in Class III, when Yoga was introduced in her school curriculum. Her Yoga teacher, who discovered her keen interest in yogic postures, provided her the needed facilities which inspired her to practice Yoga to perfection.
Currently, Sasmitarani keeps training children in schools and participants at special camps on the invitation of several city-based organizations. Susmita travels all over Odisha on the request of Yoga enthusiasts to demonstrate postures and train learners free of cost.
“Yoga is a not for earning money. However, God has blessed me with the knowledge and skill to train people and keep them fit. How can I take money to teach Yoga? Yoga should be performed in the right way; otherwise it will become wastage of time and energy. Everyone should do yoga at least for half an hour a day to live a healthy life. Yoga also helps me to concentrate in my studies.”
Susmitarani’s father Balakrishna, also a sports lover, who hails from Ratanpur in Nayagarh district has been her sole inspiration. “She is not only good in yoga, she is also good in Odissi dance and drawing. She is also a national level discus throw champion. Next year, she will visit Bangalore for international yoga training,” explains Balakrishna.
Sasmita’s mother Santilata said although she keeps engaged in teaching yoga, she never neglected her studies and other co-curricular activities. “Occasionally, she helps me in cooking at home. But Yoga is certainly the greatest part of her life,” she adds.
“In recent times, we have started depending on technology for physical comforts so much so that we often neglect our own health. The result is for all to see: Obesity, diabetes, cardiac problems and various other ailments which can be healed through Yoga,” explains Susmitarani.
Rakesh Mahanta