WTC Mumbai organizes webinar on Sustainable Living

MVIRDC World Trade Center Mumbai organised an interactive webinar on ‘Journey towards Sustainable Living’ on March 25, 2021 to create awareness about sustainable living through spiritual and traditional therapeutic techniques. The webinar offered a unique opportunity for the exhibitors of the Health and Wellness Expo, which is a unique digital initiative of World Trade Center Mumbai, to interact with prospective clients and stakeholders from the wellness industry

Speaking at this event, Ms. Manisha Anwekar, Founder, Spiritual Konnect explained about her organisation RISE which trains individuals to reconnect with their inner self through a unique meditation technique known as RISE. During the session, Ms. Anwekar played a divine music and instructed the participants to meditate on their inner divine light, which resides in the body of every individual. While playing the meditation, Ms. Anwekar instructed the participants to visualize a holographic image of a candle that illuminates in every part of the human body. The purpose of this meditation is to de-stress our mind by releasing anger, stress and other negative feelings, by inhaling positivity and enhancing one’s self-esteem. Ms. Anwekar suggested the participants to feel the radiance and peace that lies within us whenever we feel frustrated or stressed. She advised the participants to make this meditation activity part of their daily routine in order to lead a peaceful and sustainable life.

Ms. Nayana Surelia, Founder, Yaansh Yoga gave a detailed overview of the historic origin and key elements of Ashtanga Yoga. She explained that the eight limbs of Ashtanga yoga are yama (abstinences), niyama (observances), asana (yoga postures), pranayama (breath control), pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation) and samadhi (absorption).

Ms. Surelia explained each and every limb of the yoga in detail by explaining how to practice these different steps. Yama and Niyama are the initial stages of Asthanga yoga, which a person needs to follow to progress to the next stage of this yoga. By following yama and Niyama, our body secretes hormones in a balanced form. Ms. Surelia explained the four types of Pranayam, viz. rechan, poorab, keval kumb and chatush pranayam. If a person masters these four pranayam, she will be ready for the next stage of Ashtang Yoga, which is pratyahar. Pratyahar means controlling ones’ sensory organs from wandering towards material affairs. The next stage is Dharana, which means to concentrate ones’ thoughts on one point, either within or outside the body. Dhyana, which is the next stage of the yoga, refers to maintaining our thoughts on one point by sitting in one posture without moving our body for anywhere between 3 minutes to 3 hours.

Ms. Surelia adviced the participants to practice Dhyana or meditation early morning between 3 am to 6 am, which is also known as Brahma muhurt, when the cosmic energy is closer to the earth.

Explaining the final stage of Ashtang yoga, Ms. Surelia said at the last stage of Samadhi, a practitioner loses her identity and attains true spiritual knowledge. She also informed the different types of Samadhi by explaining sattva, rajas and thamas Samadhi.

Ms. Surelia concluded her remarks by pointing out that Ashtang Yoga is an effective technique to balance the secretion of essential chemicals of brain, viz. dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and endorphine.

Mr. Vinayak S, Research Officer - Siddha, Central Council For Research In Siddha, Chennai introduced the audience about Siddha medicine by clarifying some myths and misconceptions on this line of medicine. He said Siddha is a stream of AUYSH Medicine, which is popular in South India, especially in Tamil Nadu and Tamil speaking countries such as Sri Lanka.

Speaking about the origin of this medicine, Mr. Vinayak said, “The origin of this Siddha can be traced to 10,000 BC when it was developed by Lord Shiva and passed on to his consort Parvathy and his son Lord Karthik. Later, the wisdom of Siddha medicine was passed on to demi-god Nandi, Sage Agasthya and Sage Tirumular. Subsequently, this knowledge was transferred to 18 Siddhars or legendary gurus of Siddha Medicine, thereby paving the way for the evolution of Siddha lineage. The literature of Siddha is preserved in palm leaf manuscripts and stone inscriptions in ancient tamil language. Even now, 80% of Siddha medicine literature is undocumented as the classical Tamil language is very difficult to interpret.”

Mr. Vinayak further explained four main categories, or pillars of Siddha, some of which are chemistry, yoga, nyanam and the 18 disciplines or wisdom of Siddha, which include diagnostics, pathology, single herbal therapy, dietics, astrology, mystics, spiritual ethics, martial arts etc.
The webinar was attended by physicians and practitioners from medical, paramedical and traditional medicine community.

Mr. Anil Velde, DGM, Trade Promotion and Marketing, World Trade Center Mumbai delivered welcome address and thanked the speakers for sharing their valuable insights on sustainable living to the audience.