Looking for a lifestyle change, then yoga might well be your answer. An art that was practised millions of years ago in India, has now become a global phenomenon, and is now viewed as an alternate way of staying healthy.

Chennai is home to the reputed Krishnamachari Yoga Mandiram (RK Nagar) run by DKV Desikachar, the son of the late, legendary yogic teacher, T Krishnamacharya. This institution is based on the principle that yoga must be taught to suit individual needs. Thus, if you want yoga to cure an ailment or two, seek appointment with the consultant here. Depending on your requirement you would be given to practise certain asanas that would be monitored periodically.

The Chennai Yoga Mission (Nungambakkam) is yet another yoga centre set up by a couple with a PhD in yoga. Offering group and individual classes in the morning and evenings, they teach asanas, pranayama, prathiyadhara (relaxation techniques) and kriya (cleansing techniques). This place has six centres spread across the city, and also provides pre-natal and post-natal yoga classes for women.

Various centres of The Bihar School of Yoga spread all across the city too offer similar services, but here the emphasis is more on one’s spiritual needs. Also, since it’s not monetarily driven, here the student pays whatever he or she can afford.

The disciples of Swami Ramdevji run classes free of cost at parks and at the Marina Beach for an hour wherein simple yoga classes are conducted. Isha Foundation (T Nagar), is yet another centre where one can learn yoga.

Well, here’s to you, and a holistic lifestyle.