International day of yoga 2018 - Mass activity tomorrow |15 June 2018
On Saturday June 16, Seychelles, along with the rest of the world, will join in on complimentary, mass yoga activities organised by the High Commission of India in Seychelles, to commemorate International Day of Yoga 2018, commencing at 8.30am at the Palais des Sports.
According to the Indian high commission, the fourthInternational Day of Yoga (IDY) celebrations will help those taking part to realise the complete potential of yoga and its health benefits.
“Yoga is a beautiful union of the mind, body, heart and soul, thoughts and actions, a fulfilment of the harmony between man and nature, and a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about exercise, but to discover the sense of oneness with our-selves, the world and nature, by changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness,” said a representative of the Indian high commission.
The Yoga Association of Seychelles (Yas) explains that people all over the world will be practising yoga in a synchronised manner on this day, while instructors lead those taking part through a series of breathing, meditation, relaxation and asana exercises.
They add that the slow, gentle exercises will be suitable for people of all ages, with different levels of yoga experience, including those who would like to practise it for the first time. Children will also be able to take part in exercises specially designed for them.
The high commission of India enlightens us, saying that “Yoga works on different 'Asanas' or postures, which focus on certain body parts, combined with Pranayama or breathing techniques. Yoga is universal in character for practice and application, irrespective of age, sex, caste, creed, culture, nationality and physical condition”.
They add that yoga provides the following benefits:
- Weight management
- Stress and tension free mind
- Pain and disease free body
- Better breathing
- Muscle flexibility, power & strength
- Better blood circulation & cardio conditions
- Healthy endocrine system
- More focus, energy & work ability
- Improved brain function
- A sense of balance, inner peace, and a beautiful smile on your face.
The high commission notes however that “without practice, no one can experience the utility of yogic techniques, nor can one realise its inherent potential. It is a holistic way of life, leading to a state of complete physical, social, mental, spiritual well-being and harmony with nature”.
Members of the Yas say that since IDY was first observed in Seychelles, it has been positively received, and each subsequent year has seen more people of mixed nationalities attending and taking part in the day’s activities.
Yas assures everyone that modern-day yoga aims to improve health and has no religious affiliations, noting that due to a lack of education and encouragement for yoga practice in Seychelles, unfortunately some people remain suspicious of the motives behind yoga, and have a false perception that it is in conflict with their religious beliefs.
Lucie Harter, yoga instructor and owner of local private studio ‘Lulu Yoga and Pilates’ also feels that there is a lack of information available to the public, and that although people are interested, they often don’t know where to turn to for their health needs, or who to trust due to the countless opinions about what is best for us.
“I think it is important to encourage people to look after their health, and yoga day is a good way to bring people together, to create a collective shift towards bettering ourselves and our society. It is important to have a few different instructors so people can experience various methods and see what works best for them. Yoga day not only brings society together, but it also brings the instructors together without competing; this is a good way to share knowledge and to learn new skills”.
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