Shilpa Shetty, looking svelte in maroon slacks and a bustier, glamorised yoga in her own little way as she performed asanas on a lush green lawn for her Shilpa's Yoga DVD. Apart from grabbing eyeballs, she won over quite a few 20-somethings to this centuries-old fitness regimen.

The popular perception of yoga, however, has been anything but ‘cool'. For many in the younger generation, the treadmill seems more appealing than anulom-vilom and the aerobics class promised to be peppier than power yoga. “Indians usually associate yoga with being slow, boring, for old people, for those with ailments, to increase flexibility etc. But when you travel around the globe, yoga is big and popular,” says Yashwant Saran, who has set up a yoga studio called 136.1 in Chennai to help more people connect with yoga and embrace it as part of a hip and happening lifestyle.

The studio gets its funky name from the pitch of the sound ‘Om' in Hertz.

The modern twist

Located inside a popular mall in a posh locality, 136.1's plush yet tranquil studio is a major departure from the green lawns and airy terraces that are popularly considered best for yoga. “Yoga is an inward journey, a science of quietening the mind,” explains Saran, who is the studio's Managing Director, adding, “Whether it's a slum, terrace or airport, it's the 6x3 mat you sit on that opens the whole universe in front of you.” Moreover, while an outdoor setup would restrict classes to early mornings or evenings, a studio with all-day classes is ideal for those with busy schedules.

Whether it is college-goers arriving during post-campus hours, night-shift employees dropping by in the afternoon or school kids working out in the early-evening sessions… the studio provides immense flexibility similar to a gym or aerobics centre, thus striking off the ‘Oh, I can't get up in the morning for yoga' excuse.

With its vibrant interiors, you could easily mistake it to be a swanky fitness centre or salsa class. But step closer and the conversations and casual banter are all about yoga. About how the power-yoga class zapped up their energy or the asanas they found relaxing or which style to try out next.

There are 14 expert trainers who teach different styles and schools of yoga — Mysore Ashtanga, Hatha, Iyengar, Sivananda, Power and Satyanand. They also offer specialised workouts such as restorative yoga, yoga for the lower back, weight-loss yoga, kids yoga, yoga for diabetes and hypertension, pre/post-natal yoga, and even customised forms for special benefits. By holding regular workshops and even surya namaskar ‘yogathon', the studio attempts to keep the interest going and rekindle enthusiasm to learn new forms. However, what students seem to like best is the choice in experimenting with all the yoga forms, before zeroing in on one that works best for them.

The studio has attracted many youngsters in the 25-35 age group.

I sampled an invigorating power yoga class, where the excitement of doing something new was palpable. However, once the teacher folds her hands in salutation, the banter ends and the magic of yoga envelopes you, the spirit of learning and fun remains.

And, well, that's half the battle won.

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