Yoga, Healthy Urban Lifestyle in Semarang

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A midwife as well as a prenatal yoga teacher practices one of the yoga movements for pregnant women at Telogorejo Hospital, Semarang City, Central Java, Wednesday (6/4/2022).

More city dwellers now seek a healthy lifestyle amid the growing number of illnesses and the rise in urban pollution. Yoga is an alternative exercise to keep in shape while improving the quality of life.

Siska Liana Gunardi (48) moved her body in different ways as she practiced yoga in a room in her house in Karangtempel village, Semarang, Central Java, on Wednesday morning (6/4/2022). Initially, she laid her body with both her palms closed on both sides of her body. Then, both legs were slowly raised toward the head, forming the Halasana pose, often called the plowing pose, which improves flexibility as well as back muscle strength.

Siska had no trouble at all in making the moves. In fact, she was able to hold the movement for approximately three minutes. However, it was not easy to achieve that. For the last three and a half years she has regularly practiced yoga twice a week. “In the past, my body was very stiff. It was difficult to do even the basic yoga movements. Now I can do many poses,” he said.

She is grateful that yoga has overcome the chronic problems she had suffered.

However, for Siska, yoga is not only about movement or poses that often amaze ordinary people. She is grateful that yoga has overcome the chronic problems she had suffered.

Siska, a doctor specializing in radiology, explained that her fingers used to tingle and become numb every time she woke up. It really affected her daily activities. Moreover, she needed healthy fingers for writing and typing.

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She had undergone acupuncture, but it got no better. After looking for information here and there, she then tried practicing yoga. The symptoms of numbness and tingling gradually disappeared.

“Symptoms of numbness in the fingers were also experienced by my fellow doctors. I suggested they try yoga like me. As a result, they didn’t have any complaint like that anymore,” said Siska.

The benefits of yoga can be also felt by those who are just starting out. Dina (26), for example, although she only occasionally practices already feels the benefits of yoga.

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A number of people participate in yoga charity or yoga while doing charity at the SOS Children's Village pavilion, Banyumanik District, Semarang City, Central Java, Saturday (9/4/2022).

“I rarely slept well, often waking up suddenly in the middle of sleep. However, after practicing yoga, I can sleep well and don't wake up until morning. I'm also more relaxed," she said.

Dani, who comes from Kudus, Central Java, first tried yoga a year ago. Usually, she practices yoga with her colleagues at Dr Kariadi Hospital, Semarang. Dina chose yoga because her doctor forbade her to do strenuous exercise after a knee injury.

Breathing practice

Not only for young people, yoga is also a good exercise for the elderly. With yoga, body aging poses no problem. One of these is Retnaningsih, who is 61 years old. She regularly walks 5,000-8,000 steps every day. Prior to taking up regular yoga practice, she easily tired.

“This is because in yoga we are trained to regulate our breath, how to optimize oxygen intake. If oxygen enters optimally, the work of the body's organs is also maximal. That's why, after yoga, the body becomes fresher," said Retnaningsih, who is also a neurologist.

For that, it is necessary for everyone who will practice yoga to know their goal even though they are all intended to improve the quality of life.

One of the yoga instructors in Semarang, Clara Lifia (39), said there were various types of yoga. According to her each type provides different benefits. For that, it is necessary for everyone who will practice yoga to know their goal even though they are all intended to improve the quality of life.

Clara gave an example, Hatha yoga is useful for improving the body and mind, while Vinyasa is good for the heart. Yin yoga teaches patience as well as balance of body and mind, while restorative yoga relaxes the body. “The length of time for each person to achieve the benefits of yoga is different. Some are fast, some are slower. Ideally, yoga practice should be conducted twice a week," she said.

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Children watch a number of people participating in yoga charity or yoga while doing charity at the SOS Children's Village pavilion, Banyumanik District, Semarang City, Central Java, Saturday (9/4/2022).

As more and more people feel the benefits of yoga, this type of sport has increasingly become popular among urban people in Semarang. Yoga became known in Semarang only in 2000. One of the pioneers was Hamidah “Ading” Helmi (56).

So, almost every day, I spent my time teaching yoga from one place to another.

At that time some people or groups began to hire yoga teachers from outside the city. This encouraged her to study yoga to become a yoga teacher. As Ading was quite proficient, she was asked to teach yoga at a local beauty company. Ading was then hired to teach yoga at almost all fitness centers and five-star hotels in the city.

“At that time I was the only teacher teaching yoga. So, almost every day, I spent my time teaching yoga from one place to another,” she said.

Ading believes that yoga will become more popular in Semarang as more people realize the importance of yoga. “Yoga is a sport with many benefits. However, keep in mind that yoga has the second-highest risk of injury after American football. For that, yoga teachers must really master the science of breathing, movement science and anatomy so that their students don't get injured," she said.

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Two yoga instructors, April Ulanday (Canada) and Adam Smith (Australia), provided directions for the correct basic yoga movements to eight yoga participants at the Bintaro Jaya Xchange Mall Interactive Park, Tangerang recently.

According to Pandu Kresnapati, a lecturer in physical education, health and recreation at the Semarang PGRI University, being fit and healthy is everyone's dream. To be able to achieve this, a number of efforts are needed, including implementing a clean and healthy lifestyle, maintaining nutritional intake, getting enough rest and exercising.

"In addition to choosing the right sport, the timing is also important. For example, practicing yoga before breaking the fast," he said.

During Ramadan, light exercise is recommended for those who are fasting, yoga included. In addition to fitness, yoga also relaxes the body.

Want proof? Let's practice flexibility and body strength in a balanced way with yoga.

(This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi).