BRAND YOGA
Narendra Modi PRIME MINISTER
AS YET ANOTHER International Yoga Day approaches, the spotlight is on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It is well-publicised that he wakes up at 4 am, does a spell of Surya Namaskar or the 12 different spinal positions that tone muscles and joints, help blood circulate faster, quicken metabolism, beat anxiety and bring a healthy glow to the face. We don’t know which yogic tradition he follows—Hatha, Ashtanga or Vinyasa. But going by the personality profiles formulated by psychologists Carl Jung and Isabel Briggs Myers, we would say that it’s either Ashtanga or Hatha. Both are preferred by people who pay attention to reality, notice facts and details, are practical, disciplined and organised. Ashtanga is favoured by those interested in going deeper into yoga philosophy and spirituality and do not mind going out of their comfort zone. So go for Ashtanga if you wish to develop a personality like Modi.
This year, he has also hit the yoga headlines for letting us know what his favourite asanas are. On March 25, after his monthly radio address Mann Ki Baat, he released a 3D animation video that showed him teaching Trikonasana (a triangle pose that is great for back muscles, chest, shoulders and spine, enhancing flexibility and uplifting the mood). The PM tweeted the video on June 5 with a message, “I am not a yoga teacher, but some people have created a 3D video of mine which I will share with you.” So those of you who would not be able to join him on June 21 at Dehradun, take a look at the video to stay in tandem with the leader of the nation. And don’t forget to say, “Om!”