IF you think yoga posture or better known as ‘Asana’ in Sanskrit, is something difficult to be done, then how about holding it for more than 10 minutes?
Here in Penang, J. Raja Laxsmi, 41, and her daughter N. Neathra, 14, have proved that they could not only achieve the feat brilliantly, but also have brought honour to the state.
The duo have carved their names in the Malaysia Book of Records (MBR) on Dec 30, 2020 for setting the longest time to hold a yoga pose each.
Raja Laxsmi created the ‘Seated Forward Bend Pose’ record in 26 minutes 3 seconds while Neathra achieved the ‘Mermaid Pose’ record in 17 minutes and 14 seconds.
According to Raja Laxsmi, who is a yoga instructor, the idea to get featured in the MBR came about when she decided to create awareness that yoga is not merely an exercise.
“The asanas in yoga are not only about flexing your muscles to keep your body fit, but they are beyond that. Yoga enhances people’s mind and emotional state.
“So, I decided to make a record attempt in the MBR together with my daughter and also with my three friends from other yoga institutes to take the art of yoga to greater heights.
“We were the first in Malaysia to have created such records in the MBR and I would like to thank my grandmaster G. Radhakrishnan for his guidance and support,” said Raja Laxsmi when they were interviewed by Buletin Mutiara today.
Raja Laxsmi said a benchmark (time) was set by the panel of judges for each pose in order for us to qualify to be the record holders.
“The five of us actually managed to hold our postures longer that what was required of us. For instance, my pose which is called the ‘Seated Forward Bend Pose’ was given a targeted time of 15 mins, but I did it for 26 minutes and 3 seconds.
“We had to complete the feat at one go, no second attempt, and have to stay in our respective poses without a slightest change.
“A small mistake would have caused us to be disqualified, thus we remained in our postures whilst enduring the pain which came from stretching of muscles for too long,” recalled Raja Laxsmi.
The other three record holders, are Amutha Gevarappen, 45, for ‘Monkey Pose’ (25 mins and 14 secs), Sneha Gopi, 18, for ‘One Leg King Pigeon Pose’ (30 mins 8 secs) and Murugaya Ji Rajoo, 52, for ‘Shoulder Stand Pose’ (45 mins and 5 secs).
Raja Laxsmi said the five of them who represented the ‘Pertubuhan Ashtangaa’s Yogaa Malaysia’ in the MBR had undergone two months of training.
“Every day we trained for one hour whether we were busy or not.
“It was challenging as we had to balance between our work, household responsibilities and even studies as we had two school students in our team; one of them was a SPM candidate.
“We did our training separately as we could not meet each other due to the travel restriction which was imposed during that time, so we communicated via zoom.
“During the training period, we worked hard on the various techniques of mastering the yoga postures. They are invaluable which we can impart to our yoga students.
“Anyone can master any asana if given a proper guidance,” said Raja Laxsmi, who is also the founder and director of Yoga Mind Master.
Meanwhile, Neathra, who has been learning yoga for three years, said she was inspired by her mother to learn the art.
“I am happy and proud to have accomplished this, and it was my mother who stirred my interest in yoga.
“Iniatially, I was not really into it, but after watching her performing yoga postures regularly, the interest grew in me.
“Learning yoga has helped to boost my memory power and I can perform better in my studies,” said Neathra, who is studying at SMK Convent Green Lane.
Apart from that, Raja Laxsmi hopes that parents can see yoga as a form of art just like in other fields.
“I believe yoga can help children to have better mental and physical stamina which would enable them to excel in their studies.
“Not only children, but adults can also benefit by practising yoga as it helps in blood circulation and overall health,” said Raja Laxsmi who is in the field of yoga for 9 years.
Adding on to the accolades, Raja Laxsmi and Neathra were honoured by the Patanjali College of Yoga & Research Centre from India under its ‘International Achievers Award -2020’.
Raja Laxsmi was conferred with the ‘Yuva Bharathi’ award for her outstanding achievement in the field of yoga while Neathra got the ‘Young Achiever’ award.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud