Pose and challenge

A 21-day yoga challenge called ‘FACES’ which began on June 1 will conclude on International Yoga Day, ie June 21. NT BUZZ gets details

RAMANDEEP KAUR

Being a yoga teacher and founder, The Full Seven & Riverside Shakti Retreat, Paramjit Pam Anand wanted to do something special to commemorate International Day of Yoga and the solar eclipse which both fall on June 21. “I meditated on my intention and when I was done, I knew I had to do the FACES challenge ending with 108 sun salutations,” she says.

A 21-day challenge, ‘FACES’ (Flexibility, Agility, Confidence, Energy, Strength) began online on June 1, and saw Anand daily sharing different practices, focusing on improving one’s flexibility, transforming ability, building confidence, increasing energy, and building inner strength. 

“Practicing yoga and sun salutations (Surya Namaskar) daily for 21 days has so many benefits, not just for your physical health but mental and emotional well-being as well. Practicing Surya Namaskar during the solar eclipse is our way of showing our gratitude and respect to the sun for sustaining life on this beautiful planet we call home,” she says.

The videos she uploaded daily were of seven-minutes duration. “I wanted to keep the practices short yet powerful as I know how time is limited for all. This challenge is for anyone who is willing to challenge themselves,” she says, adding that in the first week she had over 50 people register. The number of viewers has increased since then.

On June 21, she will be going live on Instagram and Facebook at 11:30 a.m. for the 108 sun salutations and meditation.

“I welcome anyone and everyone to join in and do as much as they can. This is a very powerful gratitude practice to the Lord Sun, he will bless you in your life,” she says, adding that she is also offering a free one-month trial for new members to learn her course.

“I also offer one-on-one personal coaching session and group Zoom classes. Yoga has changed my life in so many positive ways and I wish to guide and support others to reap the benefits too,” says the UK-born Anand, whose love for yoga began when she first visited India in 1999. “I completed my first yoga teacher training with Sivananda, realised my passion for yoga and began teaching immediately,” she says. A couple of years later, her love for yoga and the need for a more spiritual life led her back to India where she has learned from many gurus over the years. She has learned advanced kriyas, mantra and chakra chanting and developed knowledge and experience in all eight limbs of yoga.

Thirteen years ago, she started Riverside Shakti Retreat in Siolim where she conducts retreats, workshops, classes and personal life coaching sessions. “I love empowering people to go deep within and tap into their full seven chakras and inner layers that will enable them to heal and create energy shifts thereby facilitating them to live at their fullest potential,” she says.