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INTERNATIONAL

YOGA DAY

by Jade & Umair

“In conversation with Rachel Elizabeth Ford Melendez, @forache, Yoga instructor , RA Infringement Investigator, SJO”.

Fitness is an important part of our lives. A healthy lifestyle not only changes our body, it changes our mind, our attitude and our mood as well. On the
international Yoga day, let’s have a look how Amazonians around the world are practicing Yoga & what message they are giving to our readers. Yoga is a
combination of physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines that originated in ancient India. Yoga as exercise is a physical activity consisting mainly
of postures. Yoga is not confined to the boundaries of India, but people across the globe are practicing it. Today we are in conversation with a yoga instructor,
an Amazonian who has found peace in it. Rachel Elizabeth, working in SJO as a RA investigator has been practicing yoga for the last 11 years. I had a
wonderful conversation with her about her interest in Yoga and how she finds it helpful. Here is what she said.

Q) For how long have you been practicing Yoga?

I have been practicing it for 11 years and finished my instructor certificate in the February of 2019.

Q) How much time do you spend on Yoga daily?

Usually around an hour, sometimes up to 3 hours and sometimes none at all.

Q) How does Yoga help your physical & mental fitness?

Mental and physical fitness go hand in hand, you can’t have one without the other. This is a fundamental principle of yoga, which makes sense since yoga
means, “to join”. Understanding this has been key. First you set an intention, then you use mindfulness and awareness to keep your attitude set
right. That’s the hardest part and once you improve there, the rest is easy!

Q) What message would you want to give to the readers about the benefits of Yoga?

Yoga should always be super personalized. One of my earliest and favorite instructors told me to always find the place just between pleasure and pain in your
poses, which is a very personal experience. This is essential for making the practice yours and achieving maximum benefits.

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