Yoga gets boost all over the world
ABOUT 400 people – including pupils from 10 schools in Nelson Mandela Bay – gathered at Happy Valley yesterday to mark the International Day of Yoga.
The event, aimed at educating and informing, was organised by three members of the Ekta Committee – a community-based organisation aimed at assisting others.
Organiser Punji Naidoo, of Summerstrand, said they decided to hold the event after the UN General Assembly declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga.
“It really was a beautiful day, with everyone out on the grass while we had five instructors on the stage at Happy Valley.
“Each of the instructors explained three yoga poses by showing them how to do the pose and explaining what the pose does for your body. Some poses help your spine while others are good for your knees,” she said.
Naidoo said: “The International Day of Yoga is all about raising awareness of the many benefits of yoga.
“Yoga aligns your body to your soul and the benefits one receives outweigh the time you need to take to do some yoga.
“It should become a routine, like brushing your teeth.”
Naidoo said there was a common misconception that yoga formed part of a religion or was an exercise.
“There is breathing and stretching but it is also a medication because it stills the mind. It helps each organ to work in unity. Sometimes you can be surrounded by people but still feel alone and yoga helps you to connect to yourself again.” Naidoo said no one was teaching children the benefits of yoga, but it could assist those battling with suicidal feelings or depression.
“I have been doing yoga every day for the last 15 years to centre myself. It is my fuel and it helps you to become disciplined. You need someone to teach you initially but later you can do it at home by yourself, so it is important that youngsters get to know it.”
The human body was like a river or a brook, Naidoo said.
“A river needs to flow freely because if there are any blockages it cannot flow.
“Just like the river flows we need to breathe because breathing helps us to unwind.
“Blockages in our bodies can lead to anger or negativity.”