Stretching out
By Zhang Yu Source:Global Times Published: 2014-7-16 18:53:01
Indian consulate hosts yoga festival to strengthen cultural ties with China
More than 60 yoga practitioners rolled out their mats in Jing'an Park Monday evening for an outdoor yoga session that marked the opening of the Indian Yoga Festival in Shanghai.
Three yoga experts from the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga in New Delhi demonstrated body positions, breath control and other yoga techniques during the session.
The five-day yoga festival, organized by the Indian Consulate in Shanghai, is part of a series of events this year to strengthen cultural ties between India and China. For that purpose, the countries have designated 2014 as the India-China Year of Friendly Exchanges.
During the festival, the Indian experts held yoga sessions at several companies and organizations in Shanghai. "Our objective in organizing this activity is to introduce Indian yoga to as many people in Shanghai as possible. We're doing the opening ceremony in a public park so that anybody can come and join," said Naveen Srivastava, the Consul General of India in Shanghai.
Dr. Vadiraja H. S., one of the experts, said yoga is practiced both indoors and outdoors in India. "But we prefer to do it outdoors because we get fresh air, nice breezes and good oxygen outdoors. We're tuning into nature, and that's the purpose of yoga," he told the Global Times.
Many of the Chinese participants were doing yoga outdoors for the first time, including a woman surnamed Wang, an office worker who has been practicing yoga in a studio for two years.
"It feels different from doing yoga within the confines of a studio. I can smell the grass, feel its softness and hear the birds singing, which is an invigorating experience. I'll definitely consider doing it outdoors, if the weather permits," she said.
1-minute yoga
For people who do not have time for studio yoga, Dr. Vadiraja H. S. introduced a yoga posture adapted to the workplace. It's a 1-minute routine that people can do at their desks to take the edge off on workdays.
1. Sit in a chair with your feet on the ground. Close your eyes.
2. Take a deep breath and begin tensing different parts of your body, starting from your toes, then your legs, thighs, buttocks, abdomen, arms, and shoulders.
3. Hold your breath and continue to tense up your neck and facial muscles.
4. Exhale and relax all of your muscles at once. Feel how the tension and stress leave your body. Remain in this position for as long as you like.
Three yoga experts from the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga in New Delhi demonstrated body positions, breath control and other yoga techniques during the session.
The five-day yoga festival, organized by the Indian Consulate in Shanghai, is part of a series of events this year to strengthen cultural ties between India and China. For that purpose, the countries have designated 2014 as the India-China Year of Friendly Exchanges.
During the festival, the Indian experts held yoga sessions at several companies and organizations in Shanghai. "Our objective in organizing this activity is to introduce Indian yoga to as many people in Shanghai as possible. We're doing the opening ceremony in a public park so that anybody can come and join," said Naveen Srivastava, the Consul General of India in Shanghai.
Dr. Vadiraja H. S., one of the experts, said yoga is practiced both indoors and outdoors in India. "But we prefer to do it outdoors because we get fresh air, nice breezes and good oxygen outdoors. We're tuning into nature, and that's the purpose of yoga," he told the Global Times.
Many of the Chinese participants were doing yoga outdoors for the first time, including a woman surnamed Wang, an office worker who has been practicing yoga in a studio for two years.
"It feels different from doing yoga within the confines of a studio. I can smell the grass, feel its softness and hear the birds singing, which is an invigorating experience. I'll definitely consider doing it outdoors, if the weather permits," she said.
1-minute yoga
For people who do not have time for studio yoga, Dr. Vadiraja H. S. introduced a yoga posture adapted to the workplace. It's a 1-minute routine that people can do at their desks to take the edge off on workdays.
1. Sit in a chair with your feet on the ground. Close your eyes.
2. Take a deep breath and begin tensing different parts of your body, starting from your toes, then your legs, thighs, buttocks, abdomen, arms, and shoulders.
3. Hold your breath and continue to tense up your neck and facial muscles.
4. Exhale and relax all of your muscles at once. Feel how the tension and stress leave your body. Remain in this position for as long as you like.
Participants practice yoga at Jing'an Park Monday, for the opening of the Indian Yoga Festival.
Naveen Srivastava, the Consul General of India in Shanghai, gives a speech at the opening ceremony.
An expert from the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga demonstrates the cobra yoga pose.
Photos: Zhang Yu/GT