[PHOTOS] International Day of Yoga: Working on yourself from within

YOGA as a practice has been embraced by diverse walks of life, here and around the world. 

It is becoming widely popular among people looking to stay healthy, and every individual has their own personal introduction to it.

What makes the posture-based physical fitness, stress-relief and relaxation technique so attractive is that it emphasises the values of mindfulness and perseverance that people seek amidst the chaos of modern life.

Earlier today, hundreds of participants gathered at Batu Caves from as early as 8am, warming up their bodies and souls to commemorate this year's International Day of Yoga.

Hosted by the High Commission of India in Kuala Lumpur, it was a much needed outdoor activity for most participants after navigating the pandemic, which exasperated the community’s quality of life.

Visitors were guided through the 'Common Yoga Protocol,' a standardised set of Yoga practices and a good starting point for beginners to get introduced into the highly rewarding world of yoga.

Forty-one year old Sivakami Janahiraman took the time to attend the event with her two sons.

“I learnt about the event through our yoga master who is also here this morning. We all train together under him.

“My 10-year-old, he does what I call a fusion of dance and yoga and he loves it,” said Sivakami.

One of her sons, Sarveshvran Vijayan said he likes how yoga helps him understand his body more and give him better flexibility.

“I could do the craziest stunts!

“For example, doing a flip and landing on the ground feet first without any support,” expressed Sarveshran.

In addition, there were a lot of exchanges of knowledge that took place while discovering the process of attaining balance within the mind and body. 

Segar Guru, 41, who is president of the non-profit Malaysia Yoga Wellness Association (MYWA) is used to teaching children yoga. MYWA was created to be a centre for professional yoga masters to learn and work together as a family to spread the goodness and value of yoga.

He brought together a group of his students today along with him to enjoy the event and notes it as “... an opportunity to gather together before a big performance in which we are preparing in early July.”

“I am also a medical yoga practitioner, and I would tell my students to learn not just the exercise form but also the varmam points (where life energy resides and flows through) that would help in the body’s recovery."

Varmam are scattered over various parts of the body in the nerves, nerve joints, bones, muscles, ligaments and inner organs. Varmam therapy in particular can be classified as treatment in diseased conditions (Noi Nilai Maruthuvam) and treatment in traumatic conditions (Kaaya Nilai Maruthuvam). 

This year’s theme for the celebration focuses on ‘Yoga for Humanity’, and when we look at it from the perspective of communities and societies, yoga does offer a path for sustainable living, beginning with listening to the body and treating it with respect. – The Vibes, June 21, 2022