<p>Delhi and NCR woke up to a healthy morning on April 8 - the World Health Day, by participating in a Yogathon - an initiative by The Art of Living Foundation. Over 10,000 people in the Capital and its adjoining areas gathered at 90 venues and performed 108 Surya Namaskars under the guidance of Art of Living instructors. They formed a part of the 1.29 million people across 26 states and four Union Territories who also took part in the massive exercise. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Speaking on the occasion, The Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said, “When a society is free from crime and violence and has respect for diversity, it is healthy. Similarly a body which is flexible and can adapt to different conditions is healthy. The signs of good health include an intellect free from inhibition and arrogance, a heart full of compassion, a trauma-free memory and a sorrow-free soul.”<br /><br />In Delhi, the event garnered a huge response from people from all walks of life . From school goers, to youngsters to homemakers to senior citizens, Delhiites of all shapes and sizes participated enthusiastically. Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida and Faridabad witnessed people from residential areas, corporate houses, schools, colleges and even Govindpuri and Nithari Slums, gather at different venues to experience the benefits of Surya Namaskar. Students from over 130 schools including DPS, Modern, St Xavier’s, DAV and Kendriya Vidyalaya among others, participated.<br /><br />Sri Suresh Babu, an Art of Living instructor at ASN School - East Delhi shared, “If you are pressed for time and are looking for a single mantra to stay fit, yoga provides the answer in the form of a 12-pose yoga asanas in 15 minutes. It provides a cardio-vascular workout, keeps the body in shape and the mind calm.”<br /><br />Inspired to promote health through yoga, even inmates of Tihar jail and Tihar police personnel took up the challenge. This is besides police battalions - PAC 41, PAC 47, UP CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) and Police Lines Indirapuram who participated enthusiastically. Lauding the initiative, Law Officer of Tihar Jail, Sunil Gupta said, “4500 inmates and police personnel participated in this programme. All of them really enjoyed the yoga and Surya Namaskar. We see this as a marvellous job in the reform and rehabilitation of the prisoners as well.”<br /><br />The event which was held both in the morning and evening, saw participants of the Yogathon Challenge receive a ‘Spirit of Yoga Certificate’ and winners who successfully completed 108 rounds were awarded the Gold Certificate. One of the winners of a Gold Certificate, a housewife with two school-going children, Chhavi Methi, said, “It was an amazing experience. Doing 108 Surya Namaskars was a dream come true. The rhythm that was being played relaxed my body and the Guruji’s instructions helped me with the asanas. I would now like to do Surya Namaskars everyday. Such events must happen on a regular basis to motivate people to be aware of the tremendous benefits of Yoga and inculcate it in our lives.” </p>
<p>Delhi and NCR woke up to a healthy morning on April 8 - the World Health Day, by participating in a Yogathon - an initiative by The Art of Living Foundation. Over 10,000 people in the Capital and its adjoining areas gathered at 90 venues and performed 108 Surya Namaskars under the guidance of Art of Living instructors. They formed a part of the 1.29 million people across 26 states and four Union Territories who also took part in the massive exercise. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Speaking on the occasion, The Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said, “When a society is free from crime and violence and has respect for diversity, it is healthy. Similarly a body which is flexible and can adapt to different conditions is healthy. The signs of good health include an intellect free from inhibition and arrogance, a heart full of compassion, a trauma-free memory and a sorrow-free soul.”<br /><br />In Delhi, the event garnered a huge response from people from all walks of life . From school goers, to youngsters to homemakers to senior citizens, Delhiites of all shapes and sizes participated enthusiastically. Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida and Faridabad witnessed people from residential areas, corporate houses, schools, colleges and even Govindpuri and Nithari Slums, gather at different venues to experience the benefits of Surya Namaskar. Students from over 130 schools including DPS, Modern, St Xavier’s, DAV and Kendriya Vidyalaya among others, participated.<br /><br />Sri Suresh Babu, an Art of Living instructor at ASN School - East Delhi shared, “If you are pressed for time and are looking for a single mantra to stay fit, yoga provides the answer in the form of a 12-pose yoga asanas in 15 minutes. It provides a cardio-vascular workout, keeps the body in shape and the mind calm.”<br /><br />Inspired to promote health through yoga, even inmates of Tihar jail and Tihar police personnel took up the challenge. This is besides police battalions - PAC 41, PAC 47, UP CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) and Police Lines Indirapuram who participated enthusiastically. Lauding the initiative, Law Officer of Tihar Jail, Sunil Gupta said, “4500 inmates and police personnel participated in this programme. All of them really enjoyed the yoga and Surya Namaskar. We see this as a marvellous job in the reform and rehabilitation of the prisoners as well.”<br /><br />The event which was held both in the morning and evening, saw participants of the Yogathon Challenge receive a ‘Spirit of Yoga Certificate’ and winners who successfully completed 108 rounds were awarded the Gold Certificate. One of the winners of a Gold Certificate, a housewife with two school-going children, Chhavi Methi, said, “It was an amazing experience. Doing 108 Surya Namaskars was a dream come true. The rhythm that was being played relaxed my body and the Guruji’s instructions helped me with the asanas. I would now like to do Surya Namaskars everyday. Such events must happen on a regular basis to motivate people to be aware of the tremendous benefits of Yoga and inculcate it in our lives.” </p>
