In just 36 minutes, 9,000 cadets of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) showed why yoga is highly relevant for modern-day living.
Guided by the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH)'s 'Yoga Protocol', students from educational institutions across the city performed 16 asanas, Kapalabhati and Pranayama at the expansive Parade Grounds.
As parents and onlookers watched and practised asanas on the sidelines of the session, instructors ensured students got their moves right. That students were able to perform with ease, seemingly difficult asanas like Sethubhandasana or the bridge posture that requires one to hold the ankles as the torso is raised while in supine and breath held for 20 seconds, indicated they were trained at it.
“They are attending sessions since April. But these asanas could be done by anybody with a healthy back and some practise following the protocol’s instructions,” an army official guiding the cadets, said.
Several sessions were organized in the city by both governmental and non-governmental organizations which saw large gatherings that braved the morning chill and constant drizzle to understand Yoga.