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When most people think ofyoga they think of bodily

contortions, maybe humming. Inthe worst case scenario, theymight think of Rodney Yee–thatubiquitous presence in nationalpharmacy chains whose digitallyenhanced tan and groin (soprecariously suspended inspandex shorts) too often stunthe unsuspecting shopper.

Isha Yoga has very little todo with all that. It is “not abelief system or philosophy, buta system of simple seatedpostures, dynamic breathingtechniques and meditation thathas helped thousands improvetheir mental clarity,concentration and emotionalwell-being.”

Farmington residentKalpana Rajdev, a 54-year-oldphysician with Henry FordHospital and devoted member ofthe Isha Yoga Foundation, ishoping to save lives with it.

Just recently, she made theattempt from the top of a six-foot eight-inch pole, where shesat on a seat 12 inches indiameter for over 17 hours. Shehad no backrest and no cushionto support her–only a footrestjust big enough for one foot at atime. When she climbed on it,she said she felt the groundmoving beneath her. Sheweathered the cold and wind,and later the mid-day sun. Butshe didn’t come down until shewas sure she had won theDearborn Oktoberfest’s annualpole-sitting contest.

As for the pole, well, itmight as well have been called asoap box, because the then nine-and-something-foot-tall Dr.Rajdev used it to promote herplatform among festival-goers.

“I came with my family totell people about the benefits ofIsha Yoga, and I’m afraid theyhad no choice but to hear us. Wewere situated in the middle of achili cook-off,” Rajdev says.“But it was nice. We raisedmore than $700 total from theevent, and also raised awarenessabout the Isha YogaFoundation’s humanitarianefforts around the world.”

Rajdev is a healer–in thetraditional and nontraditionalsenses of the word. She haspracticed medicine for 30 years.She is a provider of hospicecare, and as medical director fortwo nursing homes, isresponsible for more than 80

patients 24 hours a day, sevendays a week. But since adoptingthe practice of Isha Yoga fouryears ago, her views on thewestern medical paradigm havechanged radically–atransformation that is rooted inthe complete physicaltransformation she experiencedthrough yoga. She thinksdoctors should prescribemeditation over medication inmany instances.

“When my husband and Ifirst took the yoga class, Irealized how such simplepractices can have such a greatimpact on the body. I wassleeping better, so I got so muchmore done at work. Myhusband’s blood pressuredropped significantly. I wasshocked by this,” she said. “Andthen when I saw so manypatients with so many problemsI thought, ‘Why are we onlymedicating them?’ We weretreating them in these minisculeways, while there is this thingout there that can change theirwhole lives.”

“Don’t misunderstand me, Ithink modern medicine has aplace,” Rajdev continues. “Butit should be used wisely andonly when it’s needed. And themajority of the time, we don’tneed it. The average person canmaintain their health without it.As physicians and patients, wearen’t using a common senseapproach to health. We have lostthe sense. We rely too much ontraditional medicine. And it’sfunny that we have this trust inmedicine, since most of thetime, we are disappointed by itsresults.”

While the fundamentals of

coverSuburban Lifestyles - Farmington/Farmington Hills/Novi - November 2, 2004Page 2

Isha Yoga–it’swhat thisdoctor orders

by Audry Bartholomew

Isha Yoga–meditation andcontrolled breathing–have beenendorsed by certain members ofthe medical community for thetreatment of all manner ofdisease, including fatigue,malaise, obesity and high bloodpressure, it has not beenemphasized enough, Rajdevargues, as atreatment option.There is no“proof” from adouble-blindcontrolled clinicalstudy that yogaworks. And there isno proof, saysRajdev, becausethere is no profit tobe turned.

“Who is goingto fund a clinicaltrial? There is moremoney to be madeby marketingpharmaceuticals.Besides–balance,peace of mind andawareness arepretty hard to measure in a lab,”she says.

Proof or no proof, yogadoes work–at least for thisdoctor, who hasn’t missed asingle practice in four years.She spends 25 minutes eachmorning and 15 minutes eachafternoon meditating. Peoplearound her often remark thatthey have little time for suchindulgences. But she has little

tolerance for this claim. She hasmore time to work, and even,more time to play.

“Fifteen minutes ofmeditation is equal to two-threehours of sleep. It’s thatrestorative. I do not do lessbecause I do yoga. I have notlearned to reject the material

world, but to become more in-tune with it. Ijust got amountain bike, and at 50 I amhaving my second childhood.My energy is greater, myproductivity has increased. Soeven though I am doingmeditation, no one is missingme. I am outdoing my staff.They take many, many breaksand come back feeling worse.Once I take my 15 minutes, I am

non-stop.”“Non-stop” is the only way

to describe Dr. Kalpana Rajdev.She sat effortlessly, evenevangelically, for all 17 hours ofthe event–unlike othercontestants who were restlessand complained of bruises andback pain. She danced while

seated on her pole. Shepracticed herpranayama, herbreathing. She smiled,waved, and as herdaughter said, “she wasamazing–calm,balanced, alwaysenergetic.”

Kalpana said thepole-sitting wassomething of a test forher. It challenged herstrength and all she hadlearned through yoga.

“I wasn’t even sureI could do it. But Ithought, here I canshow others they can dosomething they think isbeyond their reach. I

think yoga gave me thisinspiration. And I also feltcompelled because of thechallenge. If it was very easy itwouldn’t have been so excitingfor me,” she said. “In the end Iwas amazed at my stamina andbalance.”

Rajdev is now gearing upfor the Isha Yoga Foundation’snext event on November 3,when the whole community will

not only get the chance to learnmore about Isha Yoga, butexperience it for themselves.Far from his home in southernIndia, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev,recognized as one of the mostprofound yoga masters alivetoday, will return to Detroit toteach a seven-day Isha Yoga

course. Though Rajdev says her

accomplishments in promotingIsha Yoga are small incomparison to the touring yogi,one thing is clear. She, now inher second childhood, is learningto find bliss, and she’s gettingothers to find theirs as well.

coverSuburban Lifestyles - Farmington/Farmington Hills/Novi - November 2, 2004 Page 3

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what: The Isha Yoga Program is a system of simpleseated postures, dynamic breathing techniquesand Shoonya meditation (a process of consciousnon-doing) that has helped thousands find relieffrom chronic physical ailments as well as improvetheir mental clarity, concentration and emotionalwell-being. how: Yoga master Sadhguru JaggiVasudev will teach a seven-day intensive Isha Yogacourse. when and where: November 3-9,weeknights from 6:15-9:30 p.m. and from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at the GreenfieldManor in Dearborn. For more information, call( 2 4 8 ) 4 7 8 - 4 7 8 6o r v i s i t w w w. i s h a f o u n d a t i o n . o r g

for effortless living isha yoga