Responding to the nation wide call to observe June 21 as International Yoga Day, thousands of yoga enthusiasts irrespective of young and old, students and academicians took part, in different venues in the city.
Yoga teachers and students drawn from different centres here, converged at Amba Vilas Palace, making for a huge conglomeration at one place. Though intermittent rains appeared to play spoilsport in the morning hours, it didn’t deter the yoga enthusiasts. Braving chill weather, the participants wearing a white t-shirt printed ‘International Day of Yoga’ and a slogan ‘Yoga for Harmony and Peace’ spread a message of unity.
Zilla Panchayat president Pushpa Amarnath, MLA M K Somashekar, Mysuru and Kodagu MP A H Vishwanath, former minister S A Ramdas were prominent among those who took part.
Similar sessions were held at Karnataka State Gangubai Hanagal Music and Performing Arts University, University of Mysore (at gymnasium hall at pavilion grounds), Ganapathy Sachidananda Ashram, Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering (SJCE) campus, GSSS Institutes including school and college studens, National Institute of Engineering (NIE) to name a few.
Vice-chancellor Prof K S Rangappa led the yoga session, along with other key officials at the varsity. Children performing various asanas were the highlight at Nada Mantapa at Ganapathy Ashram.
AYUSH
Department of Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Sidda and Homoeopathy (AYUSH), Anusandana parishat, JSS Institute of Naturopathy, JSS Ayurveda Medical College and Hospital had organised a talk on the significance of yoga.
Addressing the gathering, Principal of Government Ayurveda College and Institute of Naturopathy, Dr K S Shantharam said the contribution of Mysureans was immense in spreading the cause of yoga in the world.
Shantaram credited ‘Yoga Guru’ T Krishnamacharya, who introduced yoga to then Mysore state, followed by equally accomplished yoga guru B K S Iyengar among othes who brought international fame to the art of keeping fit.
Shantharam said, it would not be an exaggeration Mysuru has emerged ‘Yoga Capital’ to the world and was evident with foreigners learning and practicing yoga at several centres in the city.
Dean, Post-graduation, JSS Ayurveda Medical College and Hospital, Dr Ashok D Satpute said ‘the importance of yoga should not be restricted for the day and should be a continuous practice, as better healing technique’.
JSS college
Founder of Kamadhenu Ashtanga Yogashale, V Somashekar said yoga helps improve physical and mental health of human beings, besides spiritual awareness and social well being.
Addressing the gathering at JSS College of Arts, Commerce and Science on International Yoga Day, Somashekar said yoga constitutes four aspects of a healthy person, as listed by World Health Organisation (WHO). It helps us achieve prosperity and spirituality, and is a tool to purify oneself and also the world .
Various institutions are offering courses in yoga and it needs more recognition, he added.
He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for creating an opportunity to celebrate yoga around the globe. “I hope Yoga Day would attract more viewers than the football world cup,” said Somashekar.
Secretary of JSS Mahavidyapeetha, S Shivakumaraswamy described yoga as India’s gift to the whole world. It is above religion, ethnicity, culture and borders. Foreigners are looking towards India because of Yoga. Yoga practice helps keep mind and body under control.
Shivakumaraswamy urged the gathering to practice Yoga. National-level yoga champions Manish and Kusuma demonstrated a few postures.
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