It’s yoga everywhere in Madurai

Massive exercise by NCC cadets to enter Limca Book of World Records.

NCC cadets taking part in International Yoga Day celebrations at MGR stadium in the city on Sunday.— Photos: G. Moorthy and R. Ashok

It began early on Sunday as children and adults rose early for the International Yoga Day demonstrations that were held all over the city.

Members of National Cadet Corps (NCC) from 43 educational institutions in the city participated in mass yoga demonstrations at Armed Reserve Grounds and MGR Stadium at Racecourse as part of a massive exercise carried out by the NCC cadets simultaneously across the country to enter the Limca Book of World Records.

“The NCC cadets from schools and colleges had been trained in basic yogasanas and techniques such as pranayama in the past two months and they were given intensive coaching in the last fortnight. We hope that they will continue to practise yoga and enjoy the health benefits it offers, even after the celebrating this important day,” said Col. Gopikrishna, Group Commander, Madurai.

The cadets had been trained by certified yoga instructors in their educational institutions and during special NCC camps. At MGR Stadium, 2,826 cadets took part and at the AR Grounds, 2,892 cadets participated.

F. Charles, a Class IX student and NCC cadet from St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School, said that he enjoyed the two-week training and planned to continue practising yoga. G. Revathy and M. Karthika, NCC cadets from Fatima College, who took part in the mass demonstration at MGR Stadium, said that they learnt yoga for the first time and were happy with the positive effect it had on their fitness.

In other places

The Madurai Division of Southern Railways marked the day with a talk on yoga’s importance by volunteers from Art of Living Foundation at Rail Kalyana Mandapam.

Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya organised a special peace and diversity meeting to mark International Yoga Day.

International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre and Ashram held celebrations with a mass demonstration and a class at Walkers’ Park in KK Nagar. International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Meenakshi Ashram celebrated the day with a programme at their ashram in Vellayampatti.

Educational institutions, including Madurai Kamaraj University, The Madura College, Thiagarajar College, Vivekananda College and Setupathi Higher Secondary School, celebrated the day by conducting mass demonstrations, classes and lectures.