PM Modi's 45-hour-long-meditation: How easily can a layman do it?

PM Modi's 45-hour meditation in Kanyakumari amid camera glares has been the talk of the town ever since he announced it. With many photos and videos of his meditation doing the rounds on social media, many are also asking the question - how easy is it for aam aadmi, who also has full-time jobs (may not be as demanding as the PM's) to try a long meditation session like this, healthily? Does it require tremendous preparation or can you take it up as a challenge, out of the blue? Yoga experts explain:

Regular yoga practice is a pre-requisite
Jaiji VG, an instructor at Kochi's Samagra Yoga Institute explains, "Those who practise yoga regularly can attempt such long meditations if they genuinely feel a need for it. It is better to avoid attempting something urged by someone else's feat or a social media trend." He says that if someone attempts it out of the blue, it would be clear in a few minutes that they can't continue it easily.  "It's better to attempt a long meditation after practising the discipline under a guru and understanding its principles well. Or else, some people can experience hallucinations. One needs to understand that simply keeping your eyes closed for 45 minutes is not meditation," he explains. Practising Anulom Vilom Pranayama, which regulates breathing and dissociates one from the disturbances of the environment, can help meditate in a calm state of mind, Jaiji adds. 

According to Dr Rajesh Kumar Singh, National Vice President at Indian Naturopathy & Yoga Graduates' Medical Association, one must ensure that they are in the pink of their health before taking up meditation and it is not prescribed to people with depression tendencies. At the same time, a person's age cannot judge their fitness, says Jaiji. "It's about their attitude. Haven't we all seen 30-year-old men and 60-year-old youngsters," he asks. 

Workout and diet
Preparing for long meditation sessions also calls for ensuring a fit body. Yoga sessions should be coupled with exercises like spine straightening and strengthening and various other exercises that render flexibility to one’s feet, according to Jaiji. As for the food to be followed, Dr Rajesh says a lighter diet which ensures the digestive system is not overburdened, should be chalked out.