VARANASI: It was quite a new experience for Namaz-practicing Bilkis to do Yoga asanas (postures). The same was with other muslim women like Noorjehan, Nargis, Kausar Jehan, Shabnam, Taslima; and many more. After coming to know about the benefits of yoga and the similarities between yoga and namaz postures, these women shed their hesitation and performed several yoga asanas.The women were taking part in an exclusive yoga camp for Muslim women in Prime Minister Narendra Modi 's Kashi, organised by the Muslim Mahila Foundation and the Muslim Rashtriya Manch to mark the occasion of International Yoga Day at Varunanagaram Colony, Hukulganj, on Wednesday.Islamic scholar Irfan Ahmed Shamsi informed the women about the similarities of the postures of yoga and namaz, highlighting their health-related benefits. He said that yoga should not be viewed through the angle of religion, as many yoga postures are included in namaz. Practicing yoga ends the dependency on medicines and keep the body fit and healthy, he added. Initially, the women found it little difficult to do the asanas, but were eventually successful. Yoga trainer Ashwini Kumar and physician Dr. Hemant Gupta were also there to spread awareness about yoga and its health benefits."It is really looking good and easy to do yoga. In fact many postures of yoga we already do during namaz," said a woman, resident of Hukulganj locality. Though most of them were illiterate home-makers, they understood the importance of physical work-out, whether through namaz or through yoga.MMF president Nazneen Ansari also encouraged the muslim women to practice yoga and understand its importance in life. "India has been a country of yoga and yogis (yoga practitioners) since time immemorial. Today the entire world is embracing yoga for mental peace," she said; adding that it was yoga that made India a 'Vishwa Guru'.

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