By Citrá Trần Thúy Ngọc – Ananda Marga Saigon
Yoga Courses have been running regularly at our various premises in Vietnam:
- Vietnam Traditional Medicine Institute
- Baba Quarter
- Điện Biên Phủ Jagrti, and
- Yoga Hoa Sen
They cover from basic asanas to advanced ones. After a two-month regular practice, at the students’ wish, they will be guided with the basic meditation process. A Yogic lifestyle is also introduced at various retreats at our Master Unit Ananda Uma where students can explore cooking sentient meals, organic gardening, fasting, as well as deepening their knowledge of yoga philosophy, asanas and cakras relationship etc. See an illustration at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1hFbti9xFg
Beside in-person courses, there are daily Zoom asana classes & kaoshikii practice online to accommodate the time of busy people. Zalo Groups are also set up for knowledge exchange. Students highly appreciate our efforts to offer yoga as a therapy for body & mind (see testimony: https://www.facebook.com/groups/206538029754515/ ). A scientific research topic of “Yoga and Insomnia” hosted by the Vietnam Traditional Medicine Institute is underway with the cooperation of our yoga teachers. Stay tuned!
Yoga and cancer
A Student’s Testimony
How Yoga Accompanied Me on My Cancer Treatment Journey?
Today I want to share a personal story – a story where I believe yoga played a very important role in my recovery journey.
Not long ago, I was diagnosed with early-stage leukemia. But thanks to practicing yoga regularly for many years, I feel much calmer in accepting and facing everything.
During treatment, I underwent several bone marrow transplants and infusions. Anyone who has experienced it will understand that it’s not pleasant at all. But thanks to being accustomed to focusing on breathing – something yoga always reminds us of – I was able to remain calm and relax my body. I was no longer as stressed or in pain as many people think. Just by breathing deeply, exhaling slowly, and keeping a clear mind – everything became much easier.
Not only physically, yoga also helped me maintain a positive spirit. Every day I still try to meditate and do some light exercises suitable for my health. Thanks to this, I eat better, sleep more soundly, and most importantly, I feel like I’m still living fully – even while undergoing treatment.
I believe that the power of healing comes not only from medicine, but also from how we think about and treat our bodies. Yoga gives me a sense of connection with myself – and because of that, I don’t feel lost on this journey.
I’m sharing this story not to boast about my abilities, but simply to let anyone who is tired or undergoing treatment know that there are simple, accessible methods like yoga that can provide great support. Now that my health is gradually returning to normal, I’ve returned to the yoga class at 292/19L Dien Bien Phu three times a week, and I do 10 minutes of kaoshiki at home every day.
Wishing everyone good health and peace of mind!
Phan Thi Hong Oanh