Yoga gets its day in the sun as millions twist bodies on mats
Print Edition
MILLIONS of yoga enthusiasts across the world bent and twisted their bodies in complex postures yesterday to mark International Yoga Day.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spread his mat among rows of people, including his cabinet members and foreign diplomats, at New Delhi’s main thoroughfare, which was transformed into a sprawling exercise ground.
Thousands of people dressed in white sat on yellow mats under the Eiffel Tower, and similar events were held in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Beijing, Manila and other places. Modi had lobbied the United Nations to declare June 21 as the first International Yoga Day.
“We are not only celebrating a day, but we are training the human mind to begin a new era of peace and harmony,” Modi said. “This is a program for the benefit of mankind, for a tension-free world and to spread the message of harmony.”
Schoolchildren, bureaucrats, homemakers, soldiers and ordinary folk took part in the exercise, held in all Indian state capitals. In Modi’s home state of Gujarat, yoga events were organized at nearly 30,000 places, state officials said.
In Taipei, more than 2,000 participants rolled out mats and performed 108 rounds of the “sun salutation” — the sequence of poses often practiced at the beginning of a routine as the sun rises.
“They give themselves a piece of time to observe their mind and their heart, which I think in modern society we need a lot,” said practitioner Angela Hsi.
In Dubai, a 41 year-old Indian man attempted the world’s longest headstand. Ivan Stanley, who has lived in the United Arab Emirates for 15 years, held the position for 61 minutes. He registered his attempt with Guinness World Records, which has yet to ratify the mark.
He later told reporters that he relied on his mental strength. “Up to 45 (minutes), it started getting physically a little challenging in my shoulder and neck but after that it was completely mental,” he said. “The last five minutes were really hard.”
Many believe that yoga, the ancient form of exercise, is the best way to calm the mind and the best form of exercise for the body.
Although Modi’s message was one of peace and harmony, many in India were concerned that the push for yoga was an attempt by Hindu groups to give a boost to Hinduism.
Many Muslims objected to the government’s exhortations to join the public exercise programs. Some Muslim leaders said yoga was a Hindu practice.
Some Christian groups were also upset that the mass yoga sessions were being held at a time when they usually attend Sunday Mass.
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