International Yoga Day saw both the young and old come together to celebrate this age-old practice on June 21 at Elmon Malele Park in Protea North.
The Indian Consulate General in association with multiple stakeholders took the celebration of International Yoga Day to Soweto in an effort to expand its reach and encourage young children to take up the practice.
Yogis across all age groups celebrate with zeal and enthusiasm in the heart of Soweto #InternationalYogaDay2018 #IDY2018 pic.twitter.com/ysxuva83Di
— Nutan Kessa (@nutankessa) June 21, 2018
Yoga is a discipline that is used to improve or develop one’s inherent power in a balanced manner according to Art of Living. “Yoga helps us understand ourselves and others better. When we understand ourselves better, we become ready to form a constructive bond with the society at large,” said the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in a recorded message.
Art of Living aims to bring yoga to the children of Soweto and used the day as a way to introduce the practice to the children. “We will be bringing yoga instructors to Soweto schools so we can teach the children to practice yoga regularly and in their own spaces,” said Art of Living yoga instructor, Dr. Jay Khoosal.
A glimpse of the International Day of Yoga (IDY) held in Soweto, Johannesburg this morning. Art of Living volunteers and teachers helped facilitate the days activities with hundreds of participants joining in to celebrate the day! #InternationalYogaDay2018 #Soweto pic.twitter.com/qMGkKqMrCB
— Nutan Kessa (@nutankessa) June 21, 2018
The ward 14 council was represented by Ruth Langa who said she has learnt the importance of yoga for health especially for elders who are fighting diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart diseases. She further encouraged the elderly to come in numbers and use the park to exercise to increase their longevity.
The practice of yoga on the day did not only benefit the old but also the young. “I feel so right, my mind, body and soul has been freed. It was great exercise and I feel relieved,” said one of the participants, Nomvula Ndlovu.
And here is the video as we celebrated #InternationalDayofYoga2018 at Soweto! #ZindagiRaheKhush @ArtofLiving pic.twitter.com/fEUe1orAHn
— Ruchira Kamboj (@RuchiraKamboj) June 22, 2018
Ndlovu was referre
d to the event by her doctor who thought her health would benefit from doing yoga. “I will definitely practice yoga again at home,” Ndlovu concluded.