Mr Mishra (1st right) and other enthusiasts during a yoga session

YOGA is becoming quite popular among the local population. With the arrival of Indian yoga practitioner S. R. Prasad in the country late in 2002, many enthusiasts started to appreciate the art of yoga and its fundamentals.

With an increase in the number of people showing an interest in yoga, the Indian High Commissioner, his excellency Malay Mishra decided to set up the Vivekananda Yoga Club based at Le Chantier, the premises of the High Commission of India.

On Monday evening (February 23), the Vivekananda Yoga Club celebrated its first anniversary and the highlights of the event were special yoga classes, a speech and a demonstration by H. E. Mishra. 

Addressing those present, Mr Mishra said that he was very happy to see that yoga was becoming very popular amongst the local population.

"More and more people are becoming interested in yoga, which, for me, is a non-competitive sport for all that helps develop a healthy living and a healthy lifestyle.

"Yoga is more than just a sport or physical activity. It is a way of life and part of the  Indian heritage," said Mr Mishra, adding that yoga has a 2000-year heritage and is now practised all over the world.

He continued by saying: "Yoga is a complete discipline, an integral exercise of the body, mind and spirit unique to sport. Here in Seychelles, it has found great resonance and I have been greatly impressed by the dedication of all the participants who have contributed enormously towards the realisation of the project (the setting up of the Vivekananda Yoga Club)."

Mr Mishra also said that they found it necessary to open up a small library at the yoga club so that the practitioners could broaden their knowledge and improve their yoga skills.

To conclude, Mr Mishra said that he hoped that the participants would continue to put into practice all they have been taught, on a daily basis at home to fully benefit from the marvels of yoga.

C. J.