Around the time that revolutionaries Sukhdev, Rajguru and Bhagat Singh were active in pre-independent India, a quiet revolution was taking place in a parallel world.

Sita Devi was the wife of Shri Yogendra, founder of The Yoga Institute, Mumbai. Married at the age of 18 years in 1927 — and despite all modern amenities within her reach — she dedicated her life to Yoga and joined her husband in his mission.

Those were the times where women were denied many things, including the right to emancipation. When spiritual matters were discussed, women were often referred to as a “useless appendage”. Picture a spiritual man whose obstacle was a ‘world-loving wife’.

THROWING OFF THE YOKE & EMPOWERING WOMEN

Shri Yogendra’s mission was to make Yoga easily available in the daily life of individuals; to present it as a system of educational, therapeutic, moral and spiritual values. Living the life of a ‘Householder Yogi’ himself, he wanted to restore Yoga to its original non-sectarian intent — with special emphasis on its application for women.

Sita Devi underwent four years of intensive study of the subject and learned anatomy, physiology and medical care and then offered her services at the institute. Initially made in-charge of the women’s section in 1931, she became secretary in 1933 and associate editor of the journal of the institute. Later, she also became a registered medical practitioner and treated thousands of women for various health issues.

Feeling the need for a text on Yoga education that would guide women to meet requirements peculiar to their sex, Sitadevi — or ‘Mother’ as she was fondly called — authored a book called ‘Easy Postures for Women’ (which later became ‘Yoga Physical Education for Women’). The book combined ancient wisdom in the light of modern scientific progress in physical education, and was the first book written by a woman for women. Appreciated world over, it was also translated in several languages.

SIGNIFICANT WIN FOR INDIA, INDIAN ETHOS

These pioneer activities made ‘Yoga for women’ popular within India and abroad. In 1939, the Women’s Health Federation of America, recognising Mother Sita Devi’s work as a unique service and a valuable contribution to public health, invited her as official delegate from India to the ‘Health Welfare Congress’ at the New York World Fair. The book Yoga Physical Education for Women has also been preserved in the Crypt of Civilisation* to be read after 6,000 years.

Despite her occupation as a Yoga Guru, she was devoted fully to domestic and social responsibilities. In her husband Shri Yogendra’s words: “She lives a scrupulously faithful civic, social, and domestic life, even unto the minutest details. At no stage, has there been any desire on her part to skip mutual human responsibilities under the pretext of Yoga, as the pseudo-Yogins prefer to do. She is a symbol of an ideal wife. A mother of two devoted sons, she lived the very ideal she preaches, viz. that a married life is in no way incompatible with Yoga studies.”

WHY WOMEN NEED SPECIAL YOGA TECHNIQUES

Sita Devi’s successful treatment of over 5,000 cases was acknowledged among medical experts. Her book, written 90 years ago, continues to be relevant as it addresses timeless aspects of female existence. It gives a scientific basis for both personal health and self-improvement:treat the body, mind, and psychic and subconscious patterns.

Women have certain peculiar attributes that call for a different kind of handling, she wrote. Some of these are:

Neurasthenia: This predisposition — a significant factor in women’s health — is characterised by vagueness, brain-wandering, fatigue and continued anxiety. . Both genders get affected by economic, social, sanitary and domestic situations, but women are more prone to nervous debility Care of her nerves is, therefore, of utmost importance.

Maintaining that “Mental strain, anxiety and nervous exhaustion, etc. result in actual microscopic changes in the brain, liver and other glands”, non-violent and non-fatiguing Yoga practices were selected. When done regularly, systematically, they would make the body healthy, purify the nerves and make the mind clear.

Health of sex organs & preparing for motherhood: Scientific investigations at the Institute showed that the respiratory, abdominal and the pelvic floor muscles are weaker in a woman. During pregnancy, these require special attention as a woman breathes for two and her pelvic floor is taxed. Additionally, increasing tonicity and blood supply to the sex organs is also an aim of the Yoga exercises.

Exercising the trunk: Overweight and constipation were found to be common and interdependent, with fat accumulation especially prominent in the waist zone and pelvic region. Stretching postures that would preserve tonicity and normal functions of the organs were preferred — rather than rigorous body-building, which is detrimental to healthy development of internal organs.

Posture, slimness and other essentials: Not mere slimness, but also suppleness and elasticity are emphasised. These are indicators of natural harmony between and within organs. Elasticity of the body is retained well into old age with the practice of Yoga postures, which aids prolonged good health.

Ultimately, Mother Sita Devi’s scientific system of Physical Education stressed on positive and sedate good health, to enable women to attain the real heights of womanhood.

*The Crypt of Civilization is an impenetrable, airtight, room-sized time capsule, built in 1937-1940, in Georgia — meant not to be opened before 8113 AD — and contains artefacts and sound recordings, including classic literature, items of scientific progress and religious texts that illustrate civilisation and human development until 1939.

In continuation to this article, next week, we bring to you Yoga practices especially suited to women. Watch this space.

The author is a journalist, cancer survivor and certified yoga teacher. She can be reached at swatikamal@gmail.com.