YOGA 101

On 21 June, the world marked the 5th International Day of Yoga (IDY) with plenty of enthusiasm.

When we think about the origins of yoga, we envision sadhus and yogis on Himalayan peaks and in jungles, living an ascetic life. Fast forward to 2019, when chic studios are brimming with athleisureclad, eco-mat carrying, kombuchadrinking fitness enthusiasts that have tried every trendy yoga class in the city! Yoga purists may look down upon these trends as ridiculousness, but hey, even the goofiest fad makes people put their phone aside and focus on stretching and breathing.

Closer to home, in Melbourne, yoga enthusiasts, novices and experts came together to celebrate this day of wellness. It wasn’t quite nude yoga, beer yoga or goat yoga, but plenty of eager folks were up and ready for the traditional yoga at the Art of Living Foundation, Victorian Parliament and in Keysborough.

The Yoga Day event hosted by the Art of Living Foundation in collaboration with University of Melbourne and the Consulate General of India, Melbourne was held on 22 June at Martyn Myer Arena, Southbank Campus at the University of Melbourne. Nearly 150 people of varying age-groups attended.

At the Victorian Parliament, the International Day of Yoga had the following message – Health is Your Birthright. Led by Rajendra Yenkannamoole, participants included the Leader of the Opposition Michael O’Brian MP, Neil Angus, Brad Rowswell, Kaushaliya Vaghela, Indian Consul

General Rakesh Malhotra, Rampal Muthyala of Yoga Australia, AYUSH and yoga students of Vasudeva Kriya Yoga.

Earlier on, the Yoga Day celebration in Keysborough conducted on 16 June turned out to be a great success with an active participation of nearly 300 yoga enthusiasts, many of them children.