The 5th International Yoga Day was celebrated by various organisations, schools and colleges, government and non-governmental organisations at various places in the city and district on Friday.
Nearly 20,000 naval personnel including naval personnel, defence civilians and their family members enthusiastically participated in the Yoga Day programmes organised by the Eastern Naval Command.
Personnel onboard ships and submarines at sea also practised yoga as part of the celebration. In Visakhapatnam, Vice Admiral Atul Kumar Jain, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief ENC and Mrs. Devina Jain joined the families of officers of the Eastern Fleet during their yoga session.
Special yoga sessions were also conducted in unique forms including Aqua Yoga in the swimming pool, Airfield Yoga at INS Dega, Hilltop Yoga at Dolphin Hill, Drill Yoga on the Parade Grounds at INS Circars and Yoga in Hospital at INHS Kalyani.
The International Yoga Day was observed at Andhra Medical College, Visakha Valley School, Chaitanya Public School, Visakhapatnam Regional Centre of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and St. Joseph’s College for Women (Autonomous) at Gnanapuram.
Guinness attempt
The Art of Living fraternity made an attempt to enter the Guinness Book of World Records/Limca Book of Records by performing the ‘Veerabhadrasan’ posture throughout the country at 24 locations across the country including Visakhapatnam.
Holding Veerabhadrasan for two to three minutes will decrease stress levels.
Over 500 participants, with around 375 students from Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vihar alone, performed the ‘Veerabhadrasan’ posture under the guidance of yoga masters. Students from Gayatri Vidya Mandir, Bala Bhanu School, Presidential School, NCC cadets and public also participated in the event.
Addressing the gathering, G. Radhakrishna, apex member, Art of Living lauded the efforts of the students and others in performing the Veerabhadrasan.
He thanked S.G. Chalam, convener of Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vihar, and A. Kausalya, principal of the school, for taking a keen interest in motivating and ensuring participation of large number of students in the event.
All the children and other participants were provided with T-shirts and snacks by the Art of Living team.
Ms. Rani Sivam along with other teachers and volunteers of Art of Living coordinated the event.
Yoga Day was also observed at Sri Prakash Vidyaniketan, Shristi World School, Ukkunagaram, and Lendi Institute of Engineering and Technology.
