Grandparenting

                                                                                                                                                

As grandparents we all want to make the most of the precious family time we get to spend with our grandchildren. The best grand parenting activities flow from the interests of both the grandparents and the grandchildren. You can create deep; loving relationships with your grandchildren by sharing the things you love with them, and by learning about what excite them.

Whether you’re a full-time grandparent, or a long distance grandparent living thousands of miles away, you can find new ways to strengthen family ties and provide your grandchildren with joyful memories and valuable life lessons.

 The role of a grandparent in a child's life-

 Grand- parenting is an opportunity to play, to love someone new, to appreciate the magic of a developing mind, and to be needed by someone again. Grandparents can:

 Share the things they're passionate about with a new audience.

 See the world in a new way through younger eyes.

 Experience,  games, music, nature, reading, and other interests in conjunction with a curious young mind.

 Provide expanded support and encourage their grandchildren.

 Use their breadth of experience to avoid the pitfalls they may have encountered as parents the first time around.

 Watch children develop through all stages of growth.

 Learn about their grand kids' music and passions.

 Provide input that parents cannot.

Usually, grandparents have the benefit of interacting on a level that is once removed from the day-to-day responsibilities of parents. This can make it easier to develop a close bond with grandchildren. From near or far, grand parenting can provide continuity in a child's life. Grandparents are often the family historians, and can add a rich sense of family tradition to a child's life. Additionally, contact with grandparents can teach children positive attitudes towards aging and help them develop skills to enhance their own lifelong learning.

Of course, not everything about being a grandparent is great all of the time. Becoming a grandparent at a young age can make some people feel prematurely old and, just as parents do grandparents too sometimes have to deal with colicky babies and moody teenagers. For most though, the benefits of being a grandparent far outweigh the drawbacks.

What is the role of a grandparent in a child's life?

There is as many answers to this question as there are different family configurations and needs. Some grand parenting requires a full-time commitment. For others, grand parenting is a weekend together, an afternoon play date, a summer vacation, a chat on the phone, or an email exchange every now and then. And some other it is once in a year.

A good first step to a long and successful relationship with your grandchild is to establish some ground rules with your son or daughter:

Be clear about what role you want to have in your grandchild's life. How often you want to babysit, for example, or whether you’d like to be included in events such as school functions.

Talk with parents about their rules. Consistency is important for kids, so know the behavior limits your grandchild has to follow at home and maintain the rules when he or she is with you.

 Enforce any agreed upon punishment for bad behavior, whether it’s a “time out” or loss of privileges, for example.

 Baby proof your home, to ensure safety for infants and toddlers. It’s probably been a number of years since you had young children in your home so it’s important to check with your grandchild’s parents about ways to baby proof your home, so they’re comfortable leaving the child with you.

Common grand parenting pitfalls to avoid

Whatever your specific circumstances, when you are expressing love, showing concern for your grandchild's safety and well being, and being consistent in your behavior, you are probably already doing an excellent job of grand parenting.

To avoid potential conflict within your family, try to avoid these common grand parenting pitfalls:

Trying to be the parent.- As much as you might want to tell your children how to raise your grand kids, it’s not your role. Respect the parenting decisions your children make for your grand kids.

    Buying your  grand kids’ affection-. It’s tempting for grandparents to shower their grand kids with gifts, but check with the child's parents before you buy more toys. Maybe substitute some of your gift giving with activities instead. Do something with your grandchild that you both love and will build memories. Shower them with love instead of gifts.

    Overindulging the first few grandchildren and then not being able to repeat it as additional grandchildren come along. This can cause resentment from your own children who have kids later in life. Remember that whatever you do for your first grandchild (college fund, beach vacations, trips to the zoo) will set a precedent that you’ll need to repeat for every other grandchild.

    Ignoring boundaries.- A grandparent who won’t enforce limits and gives in to their grandchild’s every whim can infuriate parents. By allowing your grand kids to misbehave, overindulge in candy and junk food, or ignore bedtimes, for example, you’re only encouraging unhealthy behavior and making their parents’ job even harder.

Tips for spending quality time with your grand kids

The best grand parenting activities flow naturally from the interests of both the grandparents and the grandchildren. You can create a deep, loving relationship with your grandchildren by sharing the things you love with them, and by being available to hear about the ideas and activities that excite them.

Take it easy together

Make an effort to enjoy leisure time with your grandchildren. As a grandparent, you get to interact with your grandchildren without the same daily pressures of a parent—you don't have to worry about driving carpool or juggling making dinner for the family with  game practice and grocery shopping. Allow yourself to slow down and become really absorbed in an activity. Moving at a slower pace than usual can give children a sense that time can be 'stretched’—that you don't need to hurry through activities. And, as with adults, it gives them the psychic space to feel, reflect, and express emotions without feeling rushed.

Go outside

Children love the outdoors, and trips to the park or the beach can be a great jumping off point for some wonderful adventures and happy memories. Nature walks and day hikes can provide lots of interesting things to talk about, and water activities can be especially fun. Throwing stones into the water or watching the current play with sticks are simple activities that can be fascinating to children. You can start these activities when kids are toddlers, and expand the games as they get older.

Share your interests or your work

Engaging in hobbies and activities that you love or your grandchild loves can be a great way to spend time together and learn about each other. Sometimes, activities that you might not expect your grandchildren to be interested in, like knitting or gardening, might turn out to provide an important point of connection for you. Similarly, if you take an interest in something they are passionate about, like trading cards or the Harry Potter books, they get to share their special area of knowledge and may open up in new ways.

If you are still working, a visit to your place of work can add a dimension to your grandchild's perception of you. If you are retired, pictures and stories about what your working days were like can do the same.

Making the most of your grand parenting time

Carve out one-on-one time. On occasion, spend time with individual grandchildren. It will give you an opportunity to bond, without competition, with one grandchild at a time.

    See the sights. Concerts and plays, movies, science centers and museums, parks or walks in the neighborhood provide opportunities to be together and to exchange ideas and opinions.

    Play games. Board and card games are a unique opportunity to watch kids in action and to see how they operate in the world. Games also allow you to help your grandchild learn to be a good sport and play fairly.

    Communicate family history. Tell stories about games or trips you shared when the grandchild's parents were young. This is a great way to weave a 'tapestry' of shared experiences for the whole family.

Grand parenting on the road-Taking a trip with your grandchildren or sharing your love of a favorite place will help you create special memories together. Special trips, whether it’s a day trip to a national park, a weekend in a nearby city, or a week-long resort vacation, will always be remembered by the child as a special journey with grandma or grandpa.

One of the great advantages of traveling with your grandchild is the opportunity for both of you to be away from home. Being on the road means being free of chores, errands, the computer—any familiar routine. It means all kinds of possibilities for the unexpected, offer opportunities to discover new parts of the world, of yourself, and of your grandchildren.

Involve your grandchild in planning the trip, and of course, involve his or her parents to be sure they're comfortable with the plans. Then hit the road! After you’ve traveled, an album of that experience can be an ongoing delight for everyone in the family.

 Long-distance grand parenting-

It’s estimated that about 50 percent of grandparents live more than 200 miles from their grandchildren. Children's lives can change very quickly, so long-distance grandparents sometimes struggle trying to keep up with the day-to-day details of their grandkids’ lives. Often, it just requires special efforts to communicate with your grandchild that in turn will establish the foundation for a strong long-term relationship.

When your grandchild is a baby, toddler, or very young child, engage the parents to keep up to date on your grandchild’s progress, his or her current interests, and the type of reading or viewing material that might be appropriate. Send a few of your favorite children's books and the recording along with the books, or make a tape of songs you would sing if you were together.

   Have family scrapbooks. Kids love to hear stories about their family. If you can’t be with them to recount family stories first hand, try writing them down. Add photos or create a scrapbook (online or off).Whats App photos, videos and messages of things that interest you and what you think will interest them. Encourage your grand kids to add their own memories and photos.

All of these small things communicate your interest and love.  Whenever possible, though, try to be present for the most important events in your grandchild’s life, such as graduations, recitals, holidays, or whatever events are important to your family.

Full time Grand-parenting-

 A growing number of grandparents are taking on the parenting role of their grandchildren, thus foregoing the traditional grandparent/grandchild relationship. Grandparents who assume the role of parents often find themselves giving up leisure time, the option of traveling, and many other aspects of their independence. Instead, they take on responsibility for the day-to-day maintenance of a home, schedules, meals, homework, and play dates. In cases where tragedy required a grandparent to step into the role of parent, there are also many additional stress factors—grieving on the part of the children and the grandparents, for example—that need to be addressed.

Raising your grandchildren, while challenging, can also be incredibly rewarding. Grandparents in this position experience much greater connection to their grandkid’s world, including school and leisure activities. They often find themselves rolling back the years, rejuvenated by the constant companionship of much younger people. They also derive immense satisfaction providing their grandchildren with a safe, nurturing, and structured home environment in which to grow and feel loved.

Tips for grandparents raising grandchildren:-

  Keep up your own health. Get regular checkups and follow your doctor's advice. Try to get an adequate amount of sleep and do not skip meals.

 Walk or exercise three times a week for 30 minutes or more to reduce stress and promote well-being.

 Insist on a regular quiet hour. Children can take naps or have a quiet time in their rooms. Teens can     listen to their music through earphones. Learn to relax during this time.

    Take time for yourself. Look for events where grandchildren can enjoy time apart from you. There might be story hours at the library, or activities at the Boys and Girls Clubs.

    Do something you enjoy. Participate regularly in at least one hobby or activity.

    Talk out your problems with understanding friends or other grandparents. Or join a support group.

    Set limits with your grandchildren and stick to them.

    Let yourself off the hook. Your adult child's circumstances are not your fault.

    Focus on the positive and keep your sense of humor.

    Avoid isolation. Make an effort to maintain friendships, even if it is only by telephonic.  

Distance grand parenting

Distance grand parenting can be made a bit easier by taking advantage of technology and old-fashioned communication skills!

Long distance grandparents continue to be a growing segment of a society in which the world grows smaller and smaller. When your grandchildren move away,  are born in another state or across the world, it can be a difficult adjustment. The bond between grandchildren and grandparents is strong, and they love having their grandparent involved with them whether they’re down the block or an ocean away.

So, how do loving grandparents maintain a long distance relationship with grandchildren? It seems that old-fashioned communication tools combined with the marvels of modern technology can help to ease the distance and minimize the separation. Telephones, computers, and cell phones continue to provide unique opportunities that help families stay as close as possible over long distances.

Although nothing beats seeing those beautiful smiles or having those little arms around your neck in a great big hug, there are many ways to stay current in your grandkids’ minds .

Weekly or monthly arrivals in the mailbox for young children are a great way to maintain communication. You don’t have to spend a lot of money: inexpensive toys, personal photographs, books, crayons and coloring books, even free coloring pages printed from the internet along with a personal note create anticipation and glee in young children. Kids love to get mail – and when its from their grandparents it’s a real treat! Even just a regular hand written note or letter once a week can reap priceless rewards.

Regular Weekly Phone Calls

Grandchildren love talking to their grandparents on the phone! Sometimes they get so excited they can’t talk, so be prepared to ask them some simple questions that let them share a little bit of themselves…try to avoid straight ‘yes or no’ questions.

Using Cell Phones

These are great from the perspective that you can call your grand kids from wherever you are…your backyard or a special location, snap a photo and send it right along to them in real time. If your grand kids are teens, this is often the best way to reach out to them, and they love to send cell phone photos!

Web Cam

This is one of the best ways to stay in touch in a personal way. Web cams are fairly inexpensive, and truly the next best thing to being there. It gives you both a chance to see each other in real time, talk and share.There are many ways you can stay in touch with your grandchildren, and all the ‘old-fashioned’ modes of communication work as well as the most modern conveniences.

So enjoy your grand child growing up as this period is very short!

                       Sleeplessness

The other day as I was talking to my sister, she mentioned about her difficulty in getting a good night’s sleep.  It did not surprise me, considering that she is over 60 years of age.  That conversation prompted me to talk to my friends who also complained of sleeplessness at night.

Many a senior citizens often complain about sleep disorders. While some do have serious problems, few sleep well but are not satisfied, as they do not feel well rested in the morning when they wake up. There seems to be no scientific or proven guidelines as to how many hours of sleep a human being really needs, as he grows older. The quantum depends on the constitution of the individual. In general, the measure seems to be to the extent that one feels well rested when one gets up after the sleep.

From the interaction and enquiries from people around me, having collected data from their experience, I thought why not summarize and present it for the benefit of others. Though I personally do not have any consistent sleeping disorders, I do have occasional bouts and I found many of the following tricks did give me great result in inducing sleep. 

In our younger days, most of us fell asleep without effort as we all had our work to do for long hours during the daytime and rarely had time even for a short daytime nap. It was the waking up and leaving the bed that used to be the problem. Post retirement with no long working hours  having plenty of time on hand with no specific time schedule to keep up, we find that sleep allures us when we want to retire at night. For many retired people social and physiological problem also aggravate to the insomniac condition.

Sleeping pills may not be the ideal long-term solution since over time, we could develop an addition and just one dose may not be enough.  Therefore, how much sleep is enough for a person above the age of 60? The Doctors say that 5 to 6 hours are sufficient for seniors.  However, each person's metabolism is different. Some require 8 hours while other makes do with just 5 hours.

Sleeplessness is due to some or other ailments. These are –

1.    Acute Insomnia, which could last for up to month,

2.    Chronic Insomnia that could, persists for over a month to a few months,

3.    Mild Insomnia, which is the alternating, cycles of good nights sleep and restless nights.

What leads to Sleeplessness?

·       Over exertion or lack of physical activity

·       Illness or mental stress

·       Noise or light

·       Temperature variations

·       Limited or too much air circulation in the room

·       Eating heavy food late at night.

·       Consuming imbalanced diet.

·       Partner's snoring

·       Watching disturbing programs on the television

·       Uncomfortable bed or pillow

·       Consumption of caffeinated drinks or canned/preserved food, smoking, or drinking large amounts of alcohol

·       Aging and associated ailments.

Medical research recommends to adoption of life-style changes to induce better sleep during nights. 

Here are some tips for the elders to fall asleep quickly and have a good night’s sleep -

·       Adopt a routine - go to bed and wake up at fixed time everyday. Early to bed and early to rise still holds good.

·       Take a warm bath with some soothing agents like Neem or basil leaves prior to sleeping.

·       Wear loose clothes.

·       Read a relaxing book, listen to soothing music or watch a light movie.

·       Consume plenty of fruits and salads to give extra nutrients.

·       Do not consume liquids for at least an hour before sleep time since the body takes at least ninety minutes to process it.

·       Eat a light dinner at least two hours before sleep time.

·       Keep the conditions in your room – temperature, air circulation, bed, pillow, etc - comfortable as per your liking.

·       Use soft corner lamps in the living room and avoid bright light in the evening, as eyes may not adjust to total darkness immediately.

·       Exercise regularly during the day. Yoga and walks are better for seniors than exerting in the gym.

·       Deep breathing while lying on your back helps to relax and fall asleep.

·       Saying a prayer and putting your head in the lap of God banishes worries and helps in positive thinking.

·       Keep items that could beep and radiate mild light out of the bedroom – e.g. loud clocks, computers, fax machine, etc.

·       Use a night lamp in the bathroom when answering the call of nature and avoid switching on bright lights.

·       Avoid excitement or arguments before bedtime.

·       Secure the doors and windows so you can sleep without worry.

·       Do not look at the timepiece to know time. Instead, keep the alarm when you want to wake up.

In spite of all these precautions, if sleep still eludes, then drink this hot cup of masala milk:

1.    Heat a cup of milk.

2.    Grind 1-teaspoon poppy seeds, five almonds, four strand of saffron, and a pinch of nutmeg.

3.    Mix the powder with honey in the hot milk and drink it hot.

Good Night!

                              The chasm

When kids are born, with joy comes the parents’ expectation from them. That  is why one hears comments like from the parents ,’’ she will become an artist like me. Look at her fingers!’’.

We were no exception to this rule. Luckily our kids turned out to be as per our expectation. What we did not expect was the permanent distance of space that would develop between us. Their ambition took wings to North America. Its twenty two years since they left. Gradually we learnt to cope with the lacuna which suddenly developed in our life. Off course it was a trying time almost going into depression.

We found a solution to fill this chasm by visiting them every year. Our lives are now divided between India, America and Canada. We are the envy of many. We are named Globe trotters. But according to us, those are the gifted once whose kids visit them very often, they live nearby and give meaning to their life, not the other way round. At airports, we very often see old Indian parents sometimes on the wheel chair traveling to be with their kids. This is not an easy task for elderly. With all their pains, diseases they have to do it. Life at older age craves for stability and routine. One feels for them.

It was a day like any other when you think that things are perfect and lo! A phone call wakes me up from my complacency.  Our son had met with an accident in the U.S. He was unscathed but totally shaken. In such a situation what happens to the parents in India?  The unending long distance calls  to him and HIM [God] starts.

When the news that our son has finished his studies and landed in a plush job comes, we embark on a trip to see him. When we land in America, we are hit by the cultural shock. It is nothing like what you see in western movie. The first thing that hits you is the speed.  At the airport people swiftly pick up their luggage and move on. No wasting time like us. The speed of the car and the right hand driving makes one nervous. The whole city looks like an invisible hand is maintaining it. Not a speck of dirt. Houses neatly lined up. Cars moving in their lane. Lawns mowed and in summer gardens blooming. You rarely spot people except in subways ,malls or bus stops.

Their discipline and dedication to duty is admirable. Fun time is fun time and work is worship. This is what Bhagavat Geeta teaches Hindus in length. We show devotion to God but it is missing in our work ethics. If only we practice discipline and follow duty , our country would become great place to live and our youngsters wouldn’t leave never to return.

They too are torn into two. One part lives abroad and the other in India. Having gone there, the work culture attracts them. The rich Indian culture pulls them to homeland. They look back for a ray of sunlight and hope from India unhinged by corruption. Alas! What they find is only a frozen path.

The chasm between the kids abroad and the parents in India keeps growing due to population growth in India, influx of  villagers migrating to city and the high rate of corruption at all levels. No doubt retirement homes are blooming in India.

When will this chasm end?

                                         Mental health of seniors

This story was so touching that I thought that I should share it with all.So here it is.

When Terry learnt that her mother was trying to play scrabble against herself, she knew she had to do something.

She asked her   one day, ‘’who is playing with you?’’

‘’My right hand versus left ‘’, replied her mother. ‘’Well; your father doesn’t play and I want to keep my mind sharp’’, she replied.

Terry packed her old computer, complete with scrabble and word processing programmed and thus began her   mother’s adventure with the computer and also her   teaching assignment with her mother.

All her   life, mother was her teacher; to cook, sew, and knit; to laugh, to enjoy the good times and endure the bad. Now it was her turn to give something back.

Now she spoke of RAM, Rom, and the C.P.U and not of cooking. She had acquired a new mother tongue.

 

This story tells us that no matter how old you are, a willing spirit is capable of learning anything.

You don’t stop learning when you grow old. Learning keeps a person’s mind active and agile. According to brain experts, it helps maintain brain health by preventing loss of brain function and cognitive skill such as memory,  reasoning and judgment etc.

As people age, finding ways to maintain quality of life is becoming urgent. Age alters the structure of brain.  For some people,brain mass shrinks modestly around the age of 60 or 70 . The cortex also undergoes modest thinning and the brain’s white matter decreases. This may play a role in declining memory.

The good news is, the age related brain function loss can be moderated by environmental factor like intellectual stimulation, formal education, leisure activities and professional pursuit. This can stimulate the mind and keep it healthy. More knowledge builds more network of connection in the brain, says Dr.James McGaugh.

Engaging in active learning allows one to be actively involved in the community ,developing new interests and for keeping up with young generation .Old  People feel more healthy, happy, respected and more independent when they peruse active learning in the senior years.

‘’The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others’’, Mahatma Gandhi.

The other avenue for seniors is to do volunteer work. This work is enhanced by formal or informal learning experience. Seniors will have to sometime learn new interpersonal and professional skills as well as time management skill.

There is impediment to learning at advanced age. But by facing the challenge one will make a one’s brain sharp. Family members should help seniors overcome learning problems.

I am sure the Governments role in supporting senior’s education program, will go a long way in making seniors life better. In an76.6 million of plus sixty aging population, such a program is a must. It should be under ministry of health as such programs  help maintain seniors mental health.                                   .

                                       Hygiene

Hygiene or saucham is given primary importance in Srimad Bhagvat Geetha. Cleanliness is important not only for making advancement in spiritual life but also everyday life. There are two kinds of cleanliness .One is external wherein its scope includes social, physical and mental cleanliness. The other is internal cleanliness.

  Hygiene refers to a set of practices associated with the preservation of health and healthy living.

The term Hygiene is derived from ‘’Hygeneia’’, the Greek Goddess of health, cleanliness and sanitation. Hygiene is given great importance in Islam too. Other than ritual cleanliness for the five times daily prayers, there is other large number of related rules in Islam.

In Europe until shortly after Renaissance, bathing did not loose its importance. After that bathing was replaced with perfumes as there was a misconception that water could carry diseases in the body through the skin. Contrary to Hindu belief that water washes away all the sins and that is why bathing in Ganges is considered an ambulation

According to Bhagvat Geetha external .saucham includes our interaction with other people. If in our peer group a person has negative thoughts all the time then it affects our mental hygiene. After talking to   persons who are vein with contempt for other’s view one may feel exhausted or depressed. So it is advised to keep away from such company. If external hygiene affects our internal hygiene then we must guard ourselves from it. One would have observed that in the presence of a spiritual teacher, one can easily be emotionally mentally and spiritually uplifted if one is receptive.

Bhagavt Geetha also mentions saucham to be observed in food. Food should be handled by persons in good health, mental and physical. The good or bad energies get transmitted to food,

 What is internal hygiene? It means keeping our mind pure by carrying positive thoughts. Negative thoughts cause great damage to our body. Harboring negative feeling for a long period may manifest as ailment like hyperthyroid, sinusitis, epilepsy, hypertension, kidney problem, skin ailment, rheumatoid arthritis etc.

Proper diet, exercise, emotions, thoughts, relationship, livelihood, lifestyle and law of karma is explained in

Bhagvat Geetha specially in chapter 13 for attaining Saucham.[cleanliness].

We all know that emotions affect our inner hygiene but do not know how to cleanse it. A fly went and sat on honey to lap it up. After lapping it up, it wanted to fly off. But its wing got stuck in the honey. We are also like the fly hankering after acquiring. Avarice is the root cause of all evils. How to stop avarice? This is where the great epic by Sri Krishna comes to our rescue.  Chanting of lord’s name washes off our past karma. Therefore a reading of Bhagvat Getha with purport is a must for all.

Contentment enters only a pure, clean and upright mind. In the absence of internal hygiene all other hygiene   are futile.

As milk kept in a dirty pot gets contaminated, so a person with wrong beliefs, worldly attachment, malice, ill will   and greed is sure to get into problems.

 Human mind is the supreme power that governs our entire action .only calm and contented mind will lead us to a life of bliss.

The great English poet Oliver Goldsmith after traveling the European countries in search of peace said,

          

       ‘’ Vain, very vain! My weary search to find that bliss which centers in the mind.’’

This verse emphasizes the point that internal purity

is of  primary importance for a good life.

                                                          Yoga,'The elixier of life'                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
 As a yoga practioner, often I am asked the question ,’’Why should we practice yoga and not some other rigorous exercise?’’

 To this I answer, yoga is a way of life and one can’t compare it with any other exercise like going to gym, swimming etc. Doing yoga does not stop one from perusing some other exercise. It will only compliment it.

  The feeling when one finishes the morning session of yoga is a very calm and blissful one. One is ready to take on the day. An hour of concentration on our body and breath develops control. We are able to take up the challenges of the day with calm mind.

 Day by day one finds becoming more energetic which brings about an attitudinal change. That is the reason yoga person raves over it to the point of madness.

 Yoga improves once posture which is the main cause for all our joint pain etc. When the anatomical part is not in its position and is constantly being compressed due to wrong posture like drooping shoulder, hunch back etc, pain develops in such areas.

  With posture correction, one starts breathing better as one walks, sits, stands tall, one feels healthier.

 With asanas and pranayama one can become focused in body and mind; union of body and mind is [YOGA].

Agitating thoughts and activity makes one restless leading to tension in every part of the body and mind which in turn leads to faster breathing rhythm and suffering.

The modern way of life leads to stress. The pressure of work, commuting, balancing family and work and the craze to earn more and more is the cause of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, hyper tension, spondylitis and many other ailments in the younger generation, of people in their thirties and forties. The physical manifestation of stress is inflexible muscles in legs, neck, back, pelvic region jaw or some other area. One may not even notice the discomfort till the pain becomes unbearable leading to poor sleep, loss of temper, anxiety and pessimism. If stress persists for long it leads to migraine, cardiac problem etc.

    To avoid all these multifarious problems, Indian scriptures          has given Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra dating 200 BC. In the               guidance of a Guru if practiced, yoga leads to liberation from       pain and sorrow.

  Yoga is for a person who eats satvik food   in moderation, not       for him who starves or binges himself. It is not for him who       sleeps too much nor for him who sleeps at odd time or late.           That means one should observe moderation in rest, food              and activity .Along with the asanas and pranayama one can         get rid of pain . By constant practice, one can control the              body and  mind.

   What are the obstacles to yoga practice?

       Patanjali gives nine impediments to yoga.

            Illness,  dullness, doubts, carelessness, fatigue,                             distraction, wrong perception, lack of conviction and                    instability.

   How does one overcome them?

     1 .Illness- practice simple asanas and pranayama at least for           a   little while. If immobile, then sit on the bed and do                        pranayama.

     2. Dullness- can be overcome by not giving up but by                      perusing the practice which will lift the fog.

    3.-Doubts-one gets a doubt, if it will work? Am I doing it                  right? You can overcome them by practicing and finding            out.

    4. Carelessness-some people let other things take priority.                  Changing habits and patterns by doing yoga cures one of            this.

     5. Fatigue-Straighten your schedule, instead of coffee, rest               or relax and do relaxation yoga.

    6. Inability to resist distraction- yoga helps in resisting                       distraction by constant practice. One’s resistance grows.

    7. Erroneous perception- Try to understand yoga instead of            condemning it.

    8.  Lack of conviction- Some people have the habit of                       hopping from one cure to another, like homeopathy then             Aurveda, yoga etc.

         Instead practice one with conviction.

     9. Instability- Due to age or disease instability comes. By                 practicing yoga any activity like walking, breathing etc it           is cured.

        Following a regular regime of yogasana and pranayama               drives away all the impurities from the body and mind               and one is filled with vigor and drive to pursue a happy               life.

       The body and mind works in harmony which is the elixir of         life.

       No doubt United  Nation in recognition has declared 21^st              June as Yoga day.