The flexibility of participants is put to the test with some of the yoga postures.
THERE was calm in the air as 400 enthusiasts gathered to mark International Yoga Day 2023 at Penang City Park in George Town.
Their two-hour session was organised jointly by Malaysia Hindu Dharma Mamandram (Penang), Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Perfect Life Yoga Asia Academy.
Participant Caitanya Karuna, 47, started practising yoga 10 years ago due to his interest in acrobatics.
“I love practising the asana (postures) in yoga, which gives me flexibility and other health benefits,” he said.
Caitanya, who is from Butterworth, said it was his first time joining the event and looked forward to taking part next year.
Also spotted spending their Saturday morning at the event were tax auditor VS Sathiawathy, 41, her two children TS Thanushan, 10, and TS Pavithra, seven, together with Sathiawathy’s sister VS Manimegalai, 52.
Sathiawathy has been doing yoga since she was young but did not have a proper yoga master until recently.
“Now that I have a yoga master, I practise diligently and I have even started encouraging my children to take up yoga.
“They watch me practising at home and that is how they become interested.
“I have also explained to them the benefits of yoga for our bodies and minds,” she said.
Sathiawathy said that although it was their first time participating in the event, they were happy and excited to be doing the various asana together with hundreds of people.
“There is so much positive energy here,” she added.
Penang youth and sports committee chairman Soon Lip Chee, who was the guest of honour, said yoga had gained popularity around the world and in Malaysia in recent years.
“The state has a vision to encourage active living to help build stronger communities.
“Stress has become a normal part of our lives today and yoga, which incorporates systematic exercises and self-development techniques for mind, body and spirit, has proven to be effective to bring peace.”
Soon urged non-governmental organisations, residents’ committees and Village Community Management Councils (MPKK) to start yoga programmes in their areas.
He said they could make use of open spaces to hold the activities for the residents.
Also present at the yoga session was MBPP councillor R. Kaliyappan.
Organising chairman N. Thanabalan said it was the fifth year the event was being held.
“We postponed it in 2020 and in 2021, but we held it online.
“Last year, we brought back the physical event with 250 participants.”
The participants received a T-shirt, refreshments and a certificate.
They were also entertained with performances by Perfect Life Yoga Asia Academy, Yogeeshah Yoga Centre and Kriya Hatta Yoga.
The flexibility of participants is put to the test with some of the yoga postures.
(From left) Thanushan, Sathiawathy, Pavithra and Manimegalai doing the warrior pose at the Penang International Yoga Day 2023 at Penang Youth Park. (Below) Participants doing other ‘asana’. — Photos: LIM BENG TATT/The Star
First-time participant Caitanya says he started practising yoga 10 years ago.
Thanabalan says this is the fifth year the event has been held.
Yoga centre students performing the asana as part of their performance.
