A flexible teenager with the longest mermaid pose
Ms S. Priyadarshini, a 20-years-old student of Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education & Research (MAHER), Chennai, has featured in the India Book of Records for maintaining the Mermaid Yoga Pose continuously for 1 hour 15 minutes. The Sanskrit name of the Mermaid Yoga Pose is Eka Pada Raja Kapot Asana, where ‘Eka’ means ‘One’, ‘Pada’ means ‘Foot or Leg’, ‘Raja’ means ‘King’, ‘Kapota’ means ‘Pigeon’, and ‘Asana’ means ‘Posture or Pose’. The yoga event was organized by MAHER at the auditorium of Meenakshi Ammal Dental College & Hospital, Maduravoyal, Chennai on March 8, 2022 on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
As suggested by the masters, the biggest mistake people make is attempting to get into the mermaid posture when their hips aren’t open enough. If your legs aren’t warmed up, then the best idea is to do the pigeon pose until the body is ready for the main feat. It is not recommended trying and bending the back leg because it puts extra strain on the flexor. If the body is not warmed up enough, the person is required to sit on the knees a little differently, which may lead to a knee injury due to the highly-strained compression.
Priyadarshini, who is currently pursuing BCom (General) third-year course, said that the encouragement given by her College Principal Dr V. Shanthi; Department Head, S. Malarvizhi; and the MAHER University Administration – all these became the reason for her achievement. Yoga Rathna S. Priyadharshini has practiced the yoga form for three years, learning it from her teacher, Yoga Rathna, Saraswathi Balakrishnan. The Eka Pada Raja Kapot Asana posture resembles the grace and fluidity of the mystical sea creature it’s named after.
India Book of Records event was performed under the prestious supervision of our adjudicators along with the delegates from MAHER University such as the Chancellor, Thiru. A.N. Radhakrishnan, Rector Mrs. Jayanthi Radhakrishnan, Vice-Chancellor, Prof Dr. RS Neelankandan, Registrar Prof. Dr. C. Krithika, MAHER-MADC, Principal Dr. Velmuguran, Vice-Principal Dr. Lambodharan, MAHER-FYST Principal Dr. Elangovan, and Principal MAHER-FHS Dr.V. Shanthi. The others who cheered the record- breaker at the event included HoD Commerce Mrs S. Malarvizhi and Mrs R. Anuradha along with faculty members and students.
The Mermaid Yoga Pose benefits many body parts including Lower Back, Middle Back, Feet, Ankles, Hamstrings, Chest, Hips, Pelvic and Quadriceps. This yoga position has certain health benefits, like it makes the pelvic floor and core stronger, gives freedom from backache and sciatica, makes lower back flexible and stronger, besides improving balance and strengthening the shoulders and chest. It is good for the digestive and reproductive system. Yoga is considered good for general wellbeing also.
Priyadharshini started the Mermaid pose at 11.40 am and continued in this position till 12.55 pm (1 hour 15 minutes) without any break. She was very steady at the pose and enthusiastically made the record. The yoga event was video recorded for counting the time in the presence of local media representatives. The yoga attempt was witnessed by Vivek R Nair, Senior Adjudicator of India Book of Records. The programme was hosted by Mrs Rubi Sikdar, Assistant Professor, Department of English.