Yesterday marked International Yoga Day and The Art of Living Foundation celebrated it at the Elmon Malele Park in Protea North.
In 2015, the United Nations (UN) declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga in order to give diverse people from around the globe a chance to roll out their yoga mats in the spirit of honouring and celebrating the practice of Yoga.
The Art of Living Foundation in South Africa has partnered with the High Commissioner of India and the Consulate Generals, Johannesburg and Durban to host free events in Gauteng and Kwazulu Natal.
“We were contacted by Pastor Maureen Sibadela last year from the Alpha World Ministries to come and find a way for the senior citizens to relax their minds and bodies, even though they already are fit because of their regular exercise regime; but we decided it’s important to come and share it with them this year,” said Nutan Kessa a teacher from the Art of Living Foundation.
On a fairly chilly sunny day, the park was filled with meditation noises from the attendees who embraced the different yoga techniques that were shared with them.
“Today’s day was the best and most relaxed day we’ve had this winter, it was well spent.
As senior citizens take medication for the health of their bodies, if their minds are not relaxed then the medication can’t work either,” said Pastor Maureen Sibadelo from Alpha World Ministries.
The organisation wanted to spread the experience of different cultures together with the senior citizens and have been working in Soweto for years in terms of spiritual healing practices.
Over 120 men and women laid on the grass and flexed their limbs as far as they could get them as Teacher Anurag instructed them to smile whenever they feel pain at certain pressure points.
According to the organisation, yoga is meant to assist the body physically and mentally 100% of the time.
“The power of yoga, is about listening to your body and connecting to your inner calmness, with these very simple exercises they can do even do them at home on their own every day,” said Kessa.
Teacher Anurag, whose been in the country for two months said, ” In a time where the world is divided along nationality, gender, religion and many other factors, it is a miracle to see how this day unites us along our common human quest for good health and inner peace.
Yoga after all translated from Sanskrit means to unite.
Individual happiness translates into a nation that is at peace, in good health and that can prosper.”
Given the effectiveness of this technique and it’s international positioning by the United Nations, the growing movement of Yoga was evident in 2015, when there were events that took place in over 200 cities, including Paris, New York, Buenos Aires, Delhi, Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town as well as many other African countries.
For more information on details on events by the organisation as well as events leading up to International Yoga Day for next year please go on www.artofliving.org/za-en/internationaldayofyoga.
“Yoga is a lifestyle and should not be mistaken for only postures or asanas. A
disease-free body, quiver-free breath, stress-free mind, inhibition free intellect, obsession-free memory, the ego that includes all and soul which is free from sorrow, is the birthright of every individual” – Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of The Art of Living Foundation.
