THE completion of a six-week yoga course, jointly organised by the Indian High Commission, the National Sports Council (NSC) and the Ministry of Local Government, Sports and Culture (MLGSC), was marked, on Tuesday December 17, at the Omnisports Gym, Roche Caïman, by the presentation of certificates to those who had participated.

In a setting that must have seemed a world away from his home town of Rishikesh, which sits in the foothills of the Himalayas, Mr S. R. Prasad, the visiting Yogi, led a final class in the gymnasium in front of the Indian High Commissioner, Mr Malay Mishra, and the principal secretary of the MLGSC, Mr Patrick Nanty.

Speaking before the class began, Mr Nanty expressed his thanks to all those who had been involved with the project to bring yoga to Seychelles. He gave particular thanks to Mr Prasad for having travelled so far to bring yoga to Seychelles, as well as to the High Commissioner who had initiated the project and whose close attention throughout had made it such a success.

Mr Nanty went on to say that it was his belief that yoga could be very popular within the national sports programme as its benefits were in line with the aims of the MLGSC. Elaborating on this point he described yoga as a "non-competitive sport for all, that helps develop healthy living and a healthy lifestyle".

Mr Nanty further commented that he hoped to work alongside the Ministry of Health to develop yoga and that the MLGSC was prepared to put in place the necessary structure to allow for such development.

The Indian High Commissioner spoke next, saying:

"Yoga is more than a sport or physical activity, but is a way of life and part of an Indian heritage. Yoga has a 2000-year heritage and is now present across the globe. Yoga is a complete discipline, an integral exercise for body, mind and spirit, which is unique to sport. Here, in Seychelles, it has found great resonance and I have been greatly impressed by the dedication of all participants who have all contributed enormously. The project (to bring yoga to Seychelles) began as an experiment and it is now an experience".

In an interview with Sports Nation, before the class began, the High Commissioner had spoken of the project as further "strengthening India-Seychelles relations in a dynamic way", describing those who had taken part as "sparks of light in the community". He also praised the huge response to the project by local people and the Indian community in Seychelles.

Both the principal secretary and Mr Mishra made reference to the fact that Mr Prasad had given a number of intensive sessions to coaches from the NSC so that in the absence of a specialist they might still conduct classes. Mr Mishra said that it was the intention of the High Commission to bring further yogis to Seychelles to increase participation in yoga while Mr Prasad said that he hoped to return to Seychelles next year to run another course.

Mr Prasad added that his main reason for wishing to return was the extraordinary level of enthusiasm amongst those who had participated in the series of classes although he was quick to add to this the beauty of the Seychelles environment and the warmth of the reception he had received here.

Describing yoga as "harmony between body, mind and spirit, through exercise, diet and control of breathing and thought", he said that he hoped that his students would continue to practice all he had taught, at home, on a daily basis, to fully benefit from it.

Mr Prasad explained that yoga is defined in the Sanskrit as "perfection in action, in body and in mind" and continued that yoga is valuable as a process which allows us all to live in harmony with ourselves, our society and our environment.