Dr Anshu Jaiswal, after qualifying in Ayurvedic medicine from Lucknow University moved to Mumbai where she decided to pursue her interest in Yoga. She did her MA in the discipline of Yoga from Mumbai University along with a diploma in advanced yoga. She is now associated with Hindu Sabha Hospital and works with patients as well as healthy individuals to bring about an awareness and discipline of yoga in the populace.

She believes that Yoga is not only a physical activity but also essential for mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. It not only benefits individuals who have health maladies like arthritis etc, it helps all age groups, she articulates. She especially emphasises on youngsters who need to focus on their health. The direct result of all activities being online during the pandemic has been that the children and teenagers have become habituated to screen time and thereafter have become addicted to social media. This has resulted in not only health issues for them like strain in the eyes, neck and back muscles but also mental issues due to pressures of the social media. She related the case of a young man who had become dependent on social media and though physically active, had become depressed and mentally distant as regards attention span and academics. Her interaction with him and initiation into yoga and meditation resulted in marked improvement in his ability to concentrate as well as academic achievement. The struggle she says is with the youngsters expecting prompt results. “Just like crocin, that will act within a short period of time, they expect that yoga will also result in instantaneous effect” she says. The incremental improvement that happens on disciplined practice of yoga is at times lost on them.

Because of her interest in Yoga, her family has also acquired her passion for yoga wherein both her son and daughter practice Yoga on a regular basis. Her daughter who is a pre medical student has gained tremendous benefit out of practicing yoga for a minimum of fifteen minutes in the morning that keeps her in the frame of mind for strenuous studies that she has to undergo through the day.

Her advice to beginners is that one should make sure that they are regular in practising yoga. The excuse of having not enough time is just that- ‘an excuse’ as when the leaders of the country can take time out for yoga, we out of our day can certainly spare some time for our health and well-being. She believes the power of people is in investing in their own health and having the discipline to practise daily. It will keep one energised and cheerful through the day with a twofold increase in productivity.