The backers of the 11th hour

The backers of the 11th hour

Friday, January 23, 2015

Fragments.Uditha Devapriya is a freelance writer who can be reached at udakdev1@gmail.com.It is easy to back a winner. It is not so easy to back a dead (or half-dead) horse. It is also not easy to take the vicissitudes of life with humility. Winning elections, for example, isn’t a real victory if you don’t have the humility to bow down before those who made victory possible. That’s what Maithripala Sirisena did. We are grateful to him. We hope he will continue likewise. The 100-day program, you must admit, is supported by all, regardless of party colour and preference.

But there are other heroes too. Those who backed the dead horse, for instance. Cheerleaders are easy to find and easy to pay for. When defeated, however, they can’t be found. That is why I have always felt (and believed) that inasmuch as there are no permanent friends or enemies in politics, those who stay behind and refuse to champion the victor (and thereby stick to their principles) are to be lauded. All the way.

This is why, whatever said and done, I will raise a cheer for some people. They stayed behind. They continued to stand by ideal. They didn’t apologise. Yes, they championed the dead horse. Yes, they are to be admired.

I am no fan of politics. Indeed, I pity those who take to it. I also pity those who lose, and feel gracious enough to congratulate the loser (and winner) if they take defeat (and victory) with humility. Some say the loser at this year’s election wasn’t humble enough. They say he tried to cling to power. It didn’t work, of course, and in the end he had to concede defeat. Not easy, you must admit. After all, we had a former president who tried to cling to power by claiming that she had one more year. Didn’t work.

There were those who didn’t refuse to back this year’s loser. They brought Mahinda Rajapaksa and tried to hand him the SLFP’s chairmanship. At the time I am writing this, Rajapaksa has conceded defeat on that count too, and has handed the post to Maithripala Sirisena. It’s too early to tell, in this quiet game of chess, which of the two will emerge at the end. But that’s not important right now.

It’s time I mentioned some names. There was Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, who was one of the more gentlemanly stalwarts from the preceding regime. There was also Susil Premajayantha, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Wimal Weerawansa, Dullas Alahapperuma, and Dinesh Gunawardena.

Those were the chief names. There were others too: Dilan Perera, Ratnasiri Wickramanayake, Mahinda Samarasinghe, Kumara Welgama. A cheer for them all.

I don’t back Mahinda. I don’t back Maithripala either, at least not until he proves himself with the 100-day program, but that’s another story. For now, what’s important is this: it’s not easy to back the loser. There is much up for grabs from the winner’s side. Perhaps that’s what those who defected that day to Maithripala Sirisena, who decided that he should be the party’s chairman, thought. After all, it’s conceded by everyone that among those who defected, there were “unclean” names too: names the new government must not associate with if it is to remain “clean”.

I have little sympathy for politicians. Winners or losers. But there was much vilification that day. Those who defected, I must say, didn’t do themselves any favours when they crossed over without as much as a by-your-leave. We are talking about people who vociferously badmouthed Maithripala Sirisena’s campaign here. People who salaamed Mahinda Rajapaksa unabashedly, who were part of what the late S. L. Gunasekara called the “Maharajaneni Club”.

Those people left one “Maharajaneni”. They are with another. That’s sad. Which is why I will say this: they should not be tolerated.

I mentioned S. L. Gunasekara above. I remember what he wrote five years ago, at the time of the 2010 election. It was obvious at the time that he championed Mahinda Rajapaksa, not because he was a lily-white angel, but because of his political convictions. I also remember an interview with him, which went on TV right after the election.

He spoke frankly there. Those who crossed over, he claimed, did so for personal gain. When the interviewer quizzed him on this, he raised an interesting point. Those who crossed over claimed that they did so to support the war. They broke away from their parties and lent support to Mahinda for this reason. But, Gunasekara asked, if they really did support the war, why didn’t they do so without crossing over, while staying in the opposition? Apt.

Five years later, the tide has turned. Those who once salaamed now detract. We have that synthetic doctorate-holding goon, for example, claiming that he was unfairly treated by the outgoing regime. We also have those who badmouthed Maithripala Sirisena speaking of how useless it is to grieve over a “dead body” (the reference to the loser was clear there). Scoundrels, all of them. They aren’t to be trusted. Maithripala Sirisena, I must say, should be wary of them.

Still.

Those who backed the (half-)dead horse were in the few that day. But they backed the loser, at least until the loser himself conceded defeat. That’s class. Those who defected that day would have overseen the eventual, peaceful transition of power had they stayed behind a little longer. They didn’t. That’s not class. That’s opportunism. Spinelessness.

For their dedication, the backers of the 11th hour are to be admired. Permanent friends can’t be found in politics. But they proved otherwise. I don’t want to take sides here, but looking at it all, I suppose that when the SLFP’s history is recorded someday, their names will go down as those who stuck by principles and spoke for the loser. No mean feat, that. But they did it. And for that, I will admire them. Always.

Uditha Devapriya is a freelance writer who can be reached at udakdev1@gmail.com.

My Proposal On Dual Citizenship Was Misinterpreted: Anura Kumara

January 25, 2015

The proposal brought forward by Anura Kumara Dissanayake concerning individuals with dual citizenships contesting at the elections has been grossly misinterpreted, he says and adds that his proposal never implied that those with dual citizenship does not have a right to engage in politics.

Speaking at a media briefing last week, the JVP Leader said his proposal to the national executive council concerning those with dual citizenship contesting elections did not imply they cannot engage in politics but that if such a person is to contest at a main election, they should give up the citizenship in the other country.

“We have never said they don’t have the right to engage in politics. They can engage in active politics and even be a leader of a party. But if he/ she is planning to contest at a main election, he/she should give up the citizenship in the other country,” he said.

Dissanayake said that laws should be drafted through experiences and added that today, the experience that can be gathered from the amendment made to the law in 2007 that referred to persons holding dual citizenship is that it opens a loophole for such politicians to engage in rampant plundering of public resources.

“The amendment in 2007 declared it unnecessary for a person holding dual citizenship to declare their assets and liabilities prior to contesting an election. That makes it tough to calculate their wealth that would be collected abroad and even tougher to conduct a probe on such a matter. Hence, it opens space for such individuals to escape the law and flee to another country,” he said adding therefore, he believes the proposal he has made to the council is fair.

Dissanayake made two proposals to the national executive council last week; one was concerning persons holding dual citizenship contesting elections and the other was regarding MPs who crossover and the continuation of their parliamentary representation afterwards. His former proposal was misinterpreted and thought of as a move that would withdraw the right of an individual holding dual citizenship to contest elections.

Maithripala’s ‘Watery’ Battle For Good Governance

By Rasika Jayakody -January 25, 2015

Rasika Jayakody

“Where is yahapalanaya (good governance) in the new overnment?” Now this seems to be the million dollar question, at this juncture.

Two and a half weeks after its election, the new government, led by President Mathripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, has already shown some ominous signs where the idea of good governance is concerned.

It is now becoming clear that those who were really instrumental in forming a Common Opposition Alliance and bringing the opposition back to the victorious path are being sidelined due to some obscure reasons.

*The next controversial move was to appoint President Sirisena’s brother, Kumarasinghe Sirisena as the Chairman of Sri Lanka Telecom.

A sizable proportion of Mahinda Rajapaksa loyalists, who did everything possible (literally) to ensure the victory of the former President, are now aligning themselves with the new President. Some of them have already been appointed to top positions in the new government, sending shockwaves across the rank and file of the UNP.

Read More

CJC-type tribunal to probe massive corruption, parallel probe by all-party committees

By Chathuri Dissanayake

The tribunal set up to probe corruption will be an improved version of the Criminal Justice Commission (CJC) of 1972, justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said yesterday.

“We will have to work out special laws to deal with corruption in mega projects and do it fast and effectively,” he told the Sunday Times.
In 1971, the then Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike appointed the CJCs — one to probe the 1971 insurrection and the other to probe foreign exchange rackets.

Monitoring the setting up and functioning of the tribunal would be one of the two main responsibilities of the party leaders’ committee appointed to look into corruption allegations against the previous regime, the minister said.

The committee comprises Mangala Samaraweera, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Rauff Hakeem, R. Sampanthan, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, M.A Sumanthiran, Sarath Fonseka, Jayampathi Wickremeratne, J.C. Weliamuna and Malik Samarawickrama

On the instructions of this committee, a Rapid Response Committee has also been set up and it will be coordinated by JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The rapid response team would decide on charges on which the probe needed to be fast-tracked, Mr. Rajapakshe explained.
The Rapid Response Committee chaired by Minister Rajapakshe includes Ministers Ranawaka, Samaraweera and Hakeem. This will also include police officers, state officials, attorneys and specialists in finance and auditing.

These committees will work independent of the Commission probing allegations of bribery or corruption. This commission is conducting inquiries into 30 complaints already made against the Rajapaksa regime after it was defeated.

The committees will instead carry out their own investigations and gather evidence for prosecution. They would then file complaints in the Bribery or Corruption Commission, Mr. Rajapakshe said.

“The issue we have had with the commission so far is that it will entertain a complaint only if there is enough evidence. There have been times when complaints were discarded due to lack of evidence. Therefore, we will investigate and file complaints once we are satisfied with the evidence collected. Then the commission is bound to investigate,” he said.

Mr. Rajapakshe said he believed this would be a good alternative as most people appeared to have lost faith in the Commission. He said the people could now make complaints to the party leaders’ committee also.

Listing Central Bank under PM: Unworkable legally and operationally but a step toward bank’s independence

The Central Bank under the Prime Minister- January 26, 2015
The gazette notification issued by President Maithripala Sirisena allocating subjects and institutions among different ministries has placed the Central Bank of Sri Lanka under the Ministry of Policy Planning, Economic Affairs, Child, Youth and Cultural Affairs headed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe (http://www.ft.lk). This is a departure from the previous practice of listing the Central Bank under the Ministry of Finance.

Confused markets speculate on the reasons

Listing Central Bank Under PM Unworkable Legally and Operationally but a Step Toward Bank’s Independence by Thavam Ratna

Gone see Mahinda Rajapaska on humanitarian grounds – Mohan Peiris!

 Sunday, 25 January 2015 

Illegal chief justice Mohan Peiris told the CID while under interrogation on January 23 that it was on humanitarian grounds that he had gone to see the defeated candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa following a telephone call from Temple Trees, say our sources.

He said, however, he did not know who had called him from Temple Trees at dawn on January 09, as his wife Priyanthi had answered the phone and relayed the message to him. He added that he had no need to find out the identity of the caller.

This could well be the first time in world history that a serving CJ has been questioned over a criminal charge, says a legal expert. Mohan Peiris has rejected the charge by minister Mangala Samaraweera that a conspiracy was discussed at Temple Trees, and added that the prevailing situation in the country and the election were the only subjects that had come under discussion.

Two Prominent Members Of Friday Forum Disappear

January 25, 2015

Colombo Telegraph notes with concern that two prominent members of Friday Forum have ‘disappeared’ from the organization. The names of Jayantha Dhanapala and Jayampathi Wickramaratne are missing in two press statements released recently. One of the statements calls upon Chief Justice Mohan Pieris to openly declare whether or not he was present at a discussion where a coup is alleged to have been plotted to overturn the results of the recently held Presidential Election. The second, released to mark Independence Day, raises ‘urgent concerns’. Both statements carry the list of all Friday Forum members at the bottom.

Jayantha Dhanapala

Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne PC

It has been the practice of Friday Forum to have its releases signed by Jayantha Dhanapala. Jayampathi Wickramaratne’s signature is usually placed in releases related to constitutional matters.

Colombo Telegraph notes that Jayantha Dhanapala and Jayampathi Wickramaratne have received advisory posts in the new Government. Meanwhile civil society activists say that Friday Forum as well as the Dhanapala and Wickramaratne ought to have first issued a statement about this ‘disappearance’ of the two from the watchdog outfit, especially since it champions transparency and accountability.

Friday Forum has not yet responded to Colombo Telegraph’s queries.

We publish below the statements in full;                                                       Read More

Sri Lanka: Sex mafias at the International Airport?

(January 25, 2015, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The airport of a country is not only a gateway for a new experience but also reflects the image of the host nation.

According to Minister of Aviation Services, Faizer Mustapha it is important to prevent the malpractices of fraud and corruption that takes place within the airport.

News 1st, the local television channel in Sri Lanka, was provided with footage that shows extortion that takes place at the Bandaranaike International Airport, and also the harassing of passengers.

The attached video shows the final gate for boarding, for passengers at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Kantunayake.

After being checked and cleared for travel, passengers enter the boarding area through this gate.

If officers at this area are suspicions of any passenger, the passenger is escorted to a room within the premises and is inspected. The inspection takes place with the passenger in question being requested to strip down.

According to Airport Security, for such an inspection, it takes a minimum of ten minutes.

Yet, some passengers are escorted to this room for inspection, sometimes for absurd reasons and are released within seconds.

This situation has led to suspicions of alleged money extortion taking place inside this inspection room.

The footage also shows a group of security officers dressed in civil attire extorting money from a passenger.

Another phase of extortion takes place at the exit gate of the airport. This time it is the dealers at the airport who are taking part in this alleged malpractice.

The footage shows how money is being extorted from transport providers who arrange vehicles for migrant workers who return to Sri Lanka from the Middle-East.

Airport Security is only allowed to have Rs.300 in their possession while in the Airport. Although it looks simple enough, the monitors of these cameras work with a hawk-eye to capture these malpractices on camera.

Yet, the authorities do not seem to be interested in stopping the malpractices.

It is alleged that sexual harassment also takes place within the airport.

The new revelation is the extortion of money from female migrant workers who return from the Middle East and the sexual harassment of female foreign nationals.

However, note that officers, who perform their duties to the letter, do not fall in to this category.

Sri Lankan migrant workers who are employed in the Middle East and other countries generate the highest foreign exchange for the country. According to the statistics, the revenue generated last year alone tops a staggering Rs. 823 billion.

Migrant workers who make the ultimate sacrifice of leaving their families and earn an income in a foreign land are not left alone by these devious security officers at the airport who hunt down these innocent women – like hawks.

Airport security is charged with extorting money from women who return to the country with a large quantity of foreign goods.

It is reported that, failing to pay these corrupt officials result in unnecessary delays and pressure at the airport.

Most often than not, the luggage of some expatriates go missing – in light of their refusal to fill the pockets of these corrupt officials.

Sources from the airport report that it not a tough task to put a complete stop to this extortion Mafia.

However, it seems that none of the authorities are interested in putting full stop to it due to the political influence created through various unions and association.

As highlighted by the News1st expose on Saturday night on our prime time news bulletins, an airport security officer is only allowed to have Rs.300 in his or her possession while on duty.

Therefore, nabbing corrupt security officers during a spot inspection is deemed an easy task.

Another malpractice that is alleged to be taking place at the BIA is the sex mafia. It is reported that female foreign nationals come under the close scrutiny of certain security officials who harass these women for sexual pleasure.

Obama announces nuclear breakthrough on landmark India trip

 U.S. President Barack Obama and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) shake hands after giving opening statements during a at Hyderabad House in New Delhi January 25, 2015. 

Members of India's National Security Guard stand guard outside the Mahatma Gandhi memorial before the arrival of U.S. President Barack Obama at Rajghat in New Delhi January 25, 2015. 

BY ROBERTA RAMPTON AND SANJEEV MIGLANI-Sun Jan 25, 2015 

(Reuters) - In a glow of bonhomie, U.S. President Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a deal aimed at unlocking billions of dollars in nuclear trade, a step that both sides hope will help establish an enduring strategic partnership.

Obama Announces Nuclear Breakthrough on Landmark India Trip by Thavam Ratna

Greece elections: outcome may put country on collision course with EU

Opinion polls give leftwing anti-austerity Syriza party a clear lead, but the party may not win enough seats to govern alone

Radical leftists Syriza, led by Alexis Tsipras, promise to renegotiate the international bailout that imposed austerity on Greece. Photograph: Milos Bicanski/Getty Images

Jon Henley in Athens- Sunday 25 January 2015

After five brutal years of austerity and recession, Greeks are voting under clear skies in a high-stakes election that could put their country on a collision course with the European Union.

Phoebe Greenwood talks to Greeks before a high-stakes election in the country.

Greece Elections Outcome May Put Country on Collision Course With EU by Thavam Ratna

Kerry Arrives in Nigeria Hours After Boko Haram Attacks Maiduguri

Soldiers and security block a road as they secure the venue during a rally of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Maiduguri, Nigeria, Jan. 24, 2015.

by VOA News-Last updated on: January 25, 2015 

U.S. Secretary of  State John Kerry has arrived in the Nigerian city of Lagos, hours after Nigerian troops repelled an attack by Boko Haram militants on the outskirts of the Borno state capital of Maiduguri.

Soldiers repelled three separate attempts by insurgents to enter the state capital, each attempt from a different direction, according to a security officer in Maiduguri.

​​​The fighting began around midnight and continued into the morning. A soldier at the scene told VOA many are dead on both sides.

​​A military source and a civilian joint taskforce leader confirmed that scores of militants and soldiers were killed in Maiduguri. They did not give a civilian death toll.

Authorities barricaded the roads and imposed a curfew in the city until further notice. Authorities also imposed a curfew in the city until further notice.

Nigeria's Defense Headquarters said it oordinated air and land operations against the simultaneous attacks.

Boko Haram fighters are believed to have taken control of the military barracks in Monguno, 180 kilometers northwest of the capital.

​​Secretary Kerry, who aides said is concerned about possible violence around Nigeria's February 14 election, met with the country's two leading presidential candidates, incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan and main opposition candidate Muhammadu Buhari.

Kerry's trip

Kerry announced his trip to Nigeria on Friday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he spoke at length on the threat to the world from Islamist extremist groups, including Boko Haram.

The State Department said he will urge that next month's elections be free and fair, and emphasize the importance of ensuring the elections are peaceful and credible.

The February 14 presidential and parliamentary elections are tipped to be the closest since Nigeria returned to civilian rule in 1999.

Lagos, the country's financial capital, is about 1,500 kilometers (1,000 miles) southwest of Maiduguri.

Amnesty International stressed the urgency of protecting both cities -- in particular the teeming state capital Maiduguri.

"We believe hundreds of thousands of civilians are now at grave risk," Amnesty's Africa director Netsanet Belay said in a statement.

"People in and around Maiduguri need immediate protection. If the military doesn't succeed in stopping Boko Haram's advance, they may be trapped with nowhere else to turn," Belay said.

Attack on Maiduguri

The Sunni jihadist group Boko Haram has killed thousands during a five-year insurgency to carve out an Islamic state in the northeast of Africa's most populous country.

The army's inability to squash the group is a major headache for President Jonathan, who is seeking re-election in February and who visited the state capital on Saturday as part of his campaign. Opposition candidate Buhari had been due to arrive on Monday.

​​The assault on Maiduguri began just after midnight and that on Monguno later in the morning. Around 9 a.m. (0800 GMT) on Sunday, a Reuters witness in Maiduguri said shelling could be heard and that military helicopters were circling the city.

All roads have been closed, a security source said, and commercial activity has been shut down.

Nigeria's defense headquarters tweeted that coordinated land and air operations were being used to repel the attacks and a curfew had been imposed on Maiduguri.

​​The militants began the attack at the edge of the city in the Njimtilo area. Maiduguri is the capital of Borno state and would be a major prize for the insurgents.

The militants control vast swathes of Borno state and some areas of neighboring Adamawa and Yobe states, and recently took control of the town and a multinational army base at Baga by Lake Chad.

The government said 150 people had been killed in that attack, but local officials said the figure is far higher and some have put it as high as 2,000.

Monguno is about 138 kilometers north of the state capital, and just over 50 kilometers from Baga. Security sources said the attack there began on Sunday morning and that the military was being overwhelmed by Boko Haram's firepower. Houses in the town were also being set on fire.

"Boko Haram has more power than us and are shelling the town ... our colleagues are fleeing," a soldier in Maiduguri said after speaking to friends fighting the insurgents in Monguno.

Fighting in both towns was intense throughout the day, as Islamist militants fought Nigerian ground troops who were equipped with heavy weaponry and backed by fighter jets, the French news agency AFP reported.

Many civilians caught in the violence were people who had previously been displaced to Monguno and Maiduguri after Boko Haram stormed their home town of Baga on January 3, AFP reported.

Previous attacks

Boko Haram last attempted to take Maiduguri from the same area in December 2013, attacking a nearby army and airforce base, which is also the area's civilian airport.

Security sources said the militants tried to take the airport again during the latest attack but were repelled to about 350 meters away.

Meanwhile, Boko Haram has freed about 190 people who taken captive during a January 6 attack on the village of Katarko in Yobe. During that raid, Boko Haram gunmen set much of the village on fire.

Officials said some people may still be held hostage.

Boko Haram has carried out mass abductions in the past.  Last year, the group took nearly 300 school girls from the town of Chibok.

Kareem Haruna contributed to this report from Maiduguri. Some material for this report came from Reuters and AFP.

New far right anti-immigrant sentiment hits German streets

01/24/2015

DRESDEN, Germany — Ahmed, a 36-year-old Moroccan, hoped to find a better life in Europe’s economic powerhouse, Germany. But these days in Dresden, he said, he is afraid to walk the streets.

This urban phoenix rebuilt from ashes after World War II is the center of a movement against immigrants — Muslims in particular — that has shocked much of the rest of Germany even as anti-immigration marches have spread to 10 cities nationwide. Downtown Dresden, Ahmed and other immigrants here say, has become a no-go zone for them on Monday nights, when the Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamization of the West — or Pegida, in German — stages its weekly rallies.

New Far Right Anti-immigrant Sentiment Hits German Streets by Thavam Ratna

Welcome to Winnipeg: Where Canada’s racism problem is at its worst

How the death of Tina Fontaine has finally forced the city to face its festering race problem.

Nancy Macdonald-January 22, 2015

Thelma Favel, Tina Fontaine’s aunt, can’t forgive herself for letting Tina go to Winnipeg. (Photographs in this story by John Woods)

“Oh Goddd how long are aboriginal people going to use what happened as a crutch to suck more money out of Canadians?” Winnipeg teacher Brad Badiuk wrote on Facebook last month. “They have contributed NOTHING to the development of Canada. Just standing with their hand out. Get to work, tear the treaties and shut the FK up already. Why am I on the hook for their cultural support?”

Welcome to Winnipeg Where Canada’s Racism Problem is at Its Worst by Thavam Ratna

Yoga For Complete Beginners – 20 Minutes Yoga Class + Video

BY ADMIN · JANUARY 24, 2015

Yoga was first found in India. It was first mentioned in The Vedas – the sacred text dating back to 500 BCE.

What kind of science is yoga?

Yoga is an ancient spiritual science that combines philosophical teaching with mental and physical practices.

It was developed by the Indus – Sarasvati civilization over 5000 years BCE.

An Indian guru from the West brought yoga in the late 19^th and early 20^th century, where it was eagerly embraced for its health, emotional and spiritual benefits.

In the world there are many different styles of yoga. Some of them are more physical than others. The most well known types include Tantric, Kundalini, Hatha, Ashtanga, and Raja yoga. Which exercise people will choose depends on their preferences, physical abilities and needs.

Yoga includes the specific theory about the human physiology, which involves the study of energy centers and energy channels or chakras.
To better understand the psychological and physical benefits it brings, yoga has been studied all over the world and is recognized by many as a form of alternative therapy.
What happens in the body when you do yoga could be describes in the following way (using Western/medical terminology):
We have two types of autonomic nervous system in our bodies:

1. The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS).
2. The sympathetic nervous system (SNS).

The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the flight or fight reaction, while the second one deals with the digest and rest setting of the body. In other words, the SNS concerns stress, while the parasympathetic nervous system is all about relaxation. In these alienating, competitive, busy, and times demanding, if we are to have a balanced body and mind, the SNS is the one working overtime, while the PNS doesn’t get activated as often as it should.

When you do yoga, the PNS gets woken up, which results in the blissful feelings of relaxation.

Physiologically speaking, the PNS lowers blood pressure, slows the heart rate and redirects blood toward the digestive system. Basically, it takes care of those parts of the body which are neglected when the SNS is in charge.

When you do yoga practices activate the PNS directly, as it is the case with the deep diaphragmatic breathing (also known as pranayama) and more gentle postures. More physically demanding postures and energetic styles might initially stimulate the SNS, but if the practice finishes off with a meditation, they eventually bring a deep state of relaxation.

What are the effects of yoga? Yoga can:

• Reduce stress
• Build strength and flexibility and improve joint mobility
• Reduce high blood pressure.
• Improve postureand help with some musculoskeletal conditions.
• Help with allergy and asthma
• Reduce anxiety and improve mood.
• Improve symptoms of heart failure and heart health.
• Help with back pain.

In many case, yoga can be applied from people suffering from schizophrenia to cancer patients, mostly to improve their quality of life and help with symptom control.

In order to start doing yoga, you will need some inspiration and discipline, but it is a very rewarding practice, so go for it!