Twitter
Advertisement

Putting the Yo in Yoga: Elderly businessman teaches yoga under the open sky for free

What is cooler than an elderly businessman taking time out to teach yoga under the open sky for 20 years—for free? Pooja Bhula exercises her curiosity to unravel the enigmatic Jitu Bhai

Latest News
article-main
Come rain or shine, Jitu bhai (second from right) teaches yoga every day at Hanging Gardens, Malabar Hill. Seen in the foreground is the pooch who attends his sessions
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

"Hari OM, do gehre shwaas lijiye. Bhagvan ek hi hai, lekin jo jisko mante hai…unki hriday me sthapna kijiye…pair ke panje se leke mastak tak har ang pe concentrate karke usko relax karna hai… (Hari Om, take two deep breaths. God is one. Keep in your heart whomever you believe in…Focus on each part of the body from head to toe and relax it)"

Jitu Bhai's voice echoes in the gazebo inside Hanging Garden at Malabar Hill as he instructs the group, comprising mostly middle-aged and senior citizens, cross-legged on mats with their eyes closed. Those who can't fold their legs sit on benches. The clock at the main entrance shows it's 10 past 6am and the only other sounds are the caw caw caw of crows and twittering of birds as the early morning yoga session gets underway.

After a few more positive affirmations, the 68-year-old leads them to chant 'Om' 11 times—"O ko two-third lamba karna hai, M ko one-third lamba karna hai. Start"— followed by stretches and yoga asanas. The daily regimen of 87 exercises attacks ailments and works on each limb and organ in the body (eyes, ears, kidney…everything).

Once the session ends, some say their thanks to him, while others engage the yoga guru in banter. Many passersby at the park call out "Guruji!" with respect, even if they've never learnt from him. Sudhir Babulal Shah, 69, a regular always dressed in white collared T-shirt and white shorts, generally accompanies him till the entrance, and a stray dog escorts him to his car. The pooch has been 'attending' class for the six months and always participates in the 'Om' chorus with a howl.

You can't call the assembly a class as there's no syllabus and anyone can join or discontinue anytime. But Jitu (short for Jitendra) Shah has been rendering this free service for two decades (and counting), 364 days a year. The New Year, post Diwali, is the only holiday he takes. He reaches before the rest by 5.30 am, so he can walk a bit, sweep the floor and catch up with people while he waits for the rest to arrive by 6 am.

The unassuming businessman, residing in the posh Sobo area of Walkeshwar, dons simple trousers and an untucked half-sleeved shirt, even for yoga. Despite his age, he works from 11.30 am - 7 pm, conducts elections for the yarn market and makes time to play the sitar and harmonium. He was also secretary of his building for 40 years.

Remembering how it all started, guruji says, “Earlier we only walked, but one day someone said we are doing it wrong—we should march briskly, breathe right and avoid talking to friends while at it. He suggested yoga as it’s more peaceful and corrects your breathing, which is very important. Champak and Gandhi bhai, who had attended a yoga workshop in Lonavala, were among the first ones to teach us. On seeing my technique, one of their wives said, ‘You’re doing better than them!’ That was an achievement; it boosted my confidence to continue.” Over the years, they got many to teach them (for free) for a couple of days or more.

Shah, who’s been there since the beginning, is still a regular. Dressed in his usual white collared-T-shirt and white shorts,  he recalls, “At first people would laugh at us ‘What are they doing?’. But gradually the numbers increased to 29, of which 20 rarely bunked.” The 4-5, who started learning together were very good too, but Jitu bhai was the most regular and instructed with ease.

In 2003, another guru Rajesh ji, entered the scene. Armed with a postgraduate degree in yogic science, he had moved to Mumbai from Bhopal in search of work and approached Jitu bhai at the park. “He taught with such seva bhav (attitude of service) and was so open hearted. I merely brushed up their technique, explained the benefits of each move and organised their regime. Bhai is a lovely communicator, I gave him a certificate after training,” says the 45-year-old yogi, now pursuing PhD in yogic science. They didn’t pay him for that one month, but Jitu bhai got him clients. People say, Rajeshji now earns about about a lakh a month.
Even today, yoga gurus approach Jitu bhai for work. Everyone has one word to describe Jitu bhai ‘niswarthy’ or selfless. He goes out of his way to help those who approach him, even if it’s time consuming.

Over time, the number of people doing yoga with him has dwindled to single digits (some regulars have expired, others have moved) and newcomers, especially the youth, come and go.  Yet, it hasn’t dimmed his interest in helping people practise yoga for good health. “One lady couldn’t sit down or walk; a couple of months after yoga here, she could do both. No one can do what he does. I filled in for him when injured his leg, but it’s very difficult to instruct while doing asanas. He does it for us and we come for him. The regime keeps me fresh all day, I feel irritated on days that I skip,” shares Shah, who is proud that in his 69 years, he's even taken 69 pills.

So what inspires Jitu bhai to do this? “Learning became a passion after I played Eklavya in school. My regularity comes from my dicipline and the duty I feel for people here. Many who’ve benefited don’t come anymore, they have forgotten. Especially on days that it's raining heavily, no one turns up. These things used to bother me, but I tell myself that I’m doing this for 'me'. As for helping people, a Lion’s Club member once told me, ‘We use our faltu time to help others — I decided to do it whenever I’m asked. Paying it forward is a part of yoga.”


Jitu Bhai's is no rags to riches story, neither is it one of trauma survival, but it's surely an inspirational tale of how much more we all can do, only if we choose to.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement