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Shameem Akthar
Shameem Akhtar is almost synonymous with yoga today. A recognised journalist who has worked with leading publications like The Times of India and Outlook smagazine, Shameem made a conscious decision to shift into the practice and propagation of yoga following her own life-changing experience with it. Herself a sadhak, Shameem has crafted an enviable integration between her livelihood and her life, and is a regular contributor to Life Positive.
A certified yoga shiromani with the internationally-acclaimed Sivananda Yoga Centre, Kerala (headquartered in Canada), she is also a certified yoga acharya (advanced level in teacher's training in hatha yoga) with them. (Both courses are set in ashram atmosphere with yoga training and practice extending from pre-dawn till night-fall). She has done the Sadhana Intensive course (also with the Sivananda Institute, at its Uttarkashi branch) which includes nine hours of yoga daily (with the majority of this focused on pranayama or breathing practices).
She is also a certified yoga teacher with the Chennai-based Asana Andiappan Institute for yoga and naturopathy, and a certified yoga shiromani and yoga acharya with the Chennai-based Shiva Yoga Institute.
She is also certified practitioner, trainer and master trainer in Neurolinguistic Programming (the latest buzzword internationally in mindpower training) with the US based American Federation of NLP, and was trained by the founder himself, Dr William Horton.
She conducts regular yoga workshops at HELP library (run by India's foremost fertility expert, Dr Anirudha Malpani) in Mumbai.
Her private students included former Miss World Yukta Mookey, and she currently teaches the family members of Spectra Motors (the largest Maruti Suzuki dealers in India). Apart from this, she also holds private classes at her residence.
She shall answer all your questions on yoga.
Ask Shameem Akthar
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Question 1. Please recommend a suitable asana to keep diabetes at bay. - Nagesh VermaThe best asanas to keep diabetes at bay are those that apply pressure on the abdomen (and thus on the pancreas). An ideal one would be the forward bending pose called paschimottanasana. Question 2. Are pranayams to be done before or after asanas ? - Alok TriphatiPranayamas are to be done after asana practice, if the former is of moderate duration. However, if your asana practice is very long, it is recommended to take a break between asana and pranayama practice, so that the mental focus is not compromised. Question 3. What is the best asana/ pranayam for neurological ailments? - Kapil MongaAny consistent asana/pranayama practice is good for such ailments. This has to be modulated according to an individual's need. To start off, you can work with the pawan muktasana series (energy releasing poses). Nadi shodhana pranayama harmonises the mind. Question 4. As a heart patient (50 years, male), i have been told to avoid exercise and do only regular walking. What is your opinion on this? - Atul VasanKindly read the Bihar School Yoga's book Yoga for cardiovascular management (Rs 100, available with most major bookshops like Landmark, Giri and may also be ordered from the ashram itself by logging into www.yogavision.net, etc) to understand why it is absolutely essential for a cardiac person to have an individualised exercise programme. The safest set in the beginning would be the pawanmuktasana series which are popularly known as the joint releasing/energy releasing series. Question 5. What is the best asana for weight reduction for me ? I am a 50 year old man with no other problems except for obesity. - Pawan YadevYou need a consistent yoga programme packed with dynamic poses to activate weight loss, so join a yoga class for starters. Vigorous rounds of surya namaskars are ideal for weight loss.
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