Feel better, look better, be better — that’s yogacharya Preeti Mandawewala’s mantra. The 44-year-old yoga expert was in town before the Pujas with close friend and student Manali Vengsarkar, wife of ex-cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar. The duo shared some pointers for healthy living, the yogic way.

“Before I started practising yoga, I had ill health and also suffered a miscarriage. I would constantly crib, think negative and was low on confidence. But after I began to practise, things began to change. I started sleeping well, which was the first sign of improvement — not quantity but quality sleep,” says Preeti.

Now, after 18 years of practising Patanjali Yoga, the petite practitioner has students of all age groups, but “mostly between ages of 30 and 50”. “Stress-related symptoms are the most common problems today. I treat my students according to the ailments they have. For examples, for corporate executives, yoga is like a power nap; for diabetics, it is something that helps them to develop better will power,” she explains.

Manali, a jewellery designer by profession, is also a stout believer in yoga. “I used to get severe migraines and had to sit in a dark room for it to go away. But once I started meditating, the migraines reduced and then completely vanished. My jewellery designing involves small detailing which left my eyes dry all day. Then I tried Kundalini (chakra) meditation which helped me tremendously,” she says. Her next collection reflects this, with “a spiritual look which has been put together intuitively”. “In fact I hope to launch the collection in Calcutta because people here are so spiritually inclined,” she adds.

Preeti, too, has several workshops planned in Calcutta schools. Her compilation of 14 DVDs titled Anaahat Yoga will be launched in a fortnight. Priced at Rs 299, it will be available at Welhome and soon at other outlets like Crossword and Planet M.

---

Yogacharya Preeti Mandawewala and Manali Vengsarkar demonstrate the Vrikshasana. Pictures by Rashbehari Das

Vrikshasana

1. Stand with feet together and hands at your sides.

2. Focus the gaze on a fixed point at eye level.

3. Balancing on the left leg, bend the right knee; hold the ankle with the right hand and place the foot flat on the inner left thigh.

4. Now stretch the arms sideways and raise them to the shoulder level.

5. Turn the palms upward. While inhaling, lift them above the head in pranam mudra, elbows touching the ears.

6. The elbows should be absolutely straight. Keep eyes focused and hold for a few moments.

7. In the final position complete body weight should be on the left leg.

8. Feel the sensation in the sole and toes of the left foot.

9. It will be helpful to maintain the balance.

10. To release, open the namaskar mudra, lower the hands to shoulder level and turn the palms. Bring them beside the body and release the left leg.

11. Repeat the same with the other leg.

12. Relax in tadasana.

Advantages: This asana develops nervous balance and helps increase concentration in students. It also strengthens the ankle, leg and foot muscles. Awareness should remain on a fixed point at eye level during execution.

---

Gomukhasana

1. Sit in dhyana veerasana so that the right knee is directly above the left knee.

2. Bend the left arm behind the back and the right arm over the right shoulder.

3. The back of the left hand should lie in contact with the spine.

4. Now try to clasp the fingers of your hands behind your back.

5. Bring the raised elbow behind the head so that your head presses against the inside of the raised arm.

6. The spine should be erect and head back.

7. Close your eyes and stay in this position for as long as possible, without strain.

8. Unclasp the hands, reverse the leg position and repeat on the other side.

9. Relax in sithil dandasana.

Advantages: Relieves backache, sciatica, rheumatism and general stiffness in the shoulders and neck. This asana gives you the qualities of a cow — peace and calm.