MODI’S YOGA GURU
Dr HR Nagendra, the 76-year-old Yoga guru of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, shares insights on how Yoga has contributed immensely to the personality of the PM and why it should be practiced by us all…
What does Yoga mean to you?
Yoga is the closest that human beings can come to a peak of elevation. Yoga brings in infinite knowledge, infinite bliss and infinite power. It is the route to freedom or moksha. The deeper you immerse yourself into Yoga, the happier you become.
What are your thoughts on the celebration of the International Day of Yoga?
This wonderful science of Yoga-the science of holistic cleaning has to be spread throughout the world so that its benefits can percolate everyone’s life. As Swami Kuvalayananda once said, “Yoga is a respite for all-children, youth, elderly, just everybody,” Yoga is universal in nature.
What has been the Prime Minister’s contribution to spreading awareness about Yoga?
Our Prime Minister can be credited with the inception of the International Day of Yoga in 2014. The day has generated a phenomenal response in the history of humankind. Yoga Day has initiated the idea, whereby people around the world have to spend 40 minutes on practicing it.
How is Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a student of Yoga?
Fantastic! He practices Yoga regularly with dedication and sincerity. He enjoys Yoga and is a great devotee of Swami Vivekananda, who is also a role model for all of us. The PM has been practicing it for more than 30 years now, which is why he is so fit. He devotes one hour in the morning to practice Yoga. It is rightly said that Yoga is a way of life and our PM is a living example of this belief. His awareness arises from doing it religiously. It is interesting to note that he alters his Yoga routine based on the requirements of his body for the day and how he has chalked out his schedule on the day in question.
How has Yoga impacted his personality, to which leaders from around the world are so deeply drawn?
practicing Yoga has indeed contributed widely to his magnetic persona. His charming, trademark smile never leaves his face regardless of the stress he has been through. This emotion is known as Santhosha, to be happy and content all the time. Being happy all the time is your birthright and you can enjoy this feeling by practicing Yoga. To conclude, Yoga is synonymous with happiness!
What is the PM’s diet chart?
His food is no different than all of us and he likes his meals simple, very much like a common man. His roots are in Gujarat, therefore he also enjoys food from this region. He takes care of his body and metabolism and does periodic fasting too, to stay fit and energetic at all times.
Why do you think the West is quitting other fitness regimes and opting for Yoga?
It’s because they have realized that the benefits of Yoga are unparalleled. Yoga is a great way to prevent diseases, promote good health and to deal with modern ailments.
Various forms of Yoga, such as Beer Yoga, etc are now being introduced. What do you have to say about these newer forms?
There are hundreds of methods of Yoga. You can choose from among them based on your interest and day to day lifestyle. But as Yoga is gaining ground more strongly than ever, people are now trying to innovate a variety of forms of Yoga. But whichever form of Yoga you practice, remember that it should be reliable and must not deviate from our tradition, so as to keep with our great masters, who introduced it in the first place. However, feel free to be more experimental with it so you can enjoy it.
Facts about Yoga Day
- International Day of Yoga is practiced on June 21 every year
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the idea of the International Day of Yoga during his speech at UNGA in 2014
- The theme for the International Day of Yoga 2019 was “Yoga with Gurus”
Dr HR Nagendra is a Padma Shri and is the President of VYASA, Bengaluru