Hundreds showed up at the Guyana National Stadium, East Bank Demerara, Sunday afternoon as the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh hosted their third International Day of Yoga event under the theme “Transcending Boundaries, Empowering the Mind, Body and Soul”
In the Presidential Lounge, members of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (Hindus for Selfless Service) spearheaded their third celebrations which featured different yoga exercises by a variety of specialists and organisations that all collaborated to make the event a success.
A section of the participants performing the Yoga posture
Organisational participation included Brahma Kumaries, ISCKON, Ananda Marga, Sathya Sai International Organisation of Guyana, Saraswati Vidya Niketan among others. The programme was formatted in such a way that it carried a smooth flow of yoga which started with the basics of breathing techniques and simple postures to the more advanced postures by Master Vivek which awed participants.
Present at the celebrations was India High Commissioner to Guyana V Mahalingam who expressed admiration and congratulations to the HSS for advocating yoga throughout the nation. He referred to last year’s celebrations which was held at the Leonora Secondary School and stated: “I am very happy to be a part of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh’s third yoga celebrations… I must also commend them for spreading yoga to different parts of Guyana.” He also noted this ancient history of yoga and reiterated that it is for anyone who has the proper mindset to do yoga.
Saraswati Vidya Niketan students demonstrating a Yoga Posture
The aim of the event is to promote yoga awareness throughout the nation. Yoga is a spiritual and ascetic discipline, a part of which includes breath control, simple meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures. It is widely practiced for health and relaxation. It originated in India and it must be noted that Yoga does not carry a religion behind it.
Ravi Dev ji, the Sangachalak of HSS in his speech informed those present that in the modern day most of us want to change the world, but are incognizant of that fact the change starts from within. He also noted that Yoga allows us to accomplish these two goals. He ventured into the ancient times of India of Mohenjo Daro and Harappa and reflected on how critical our heritage and culture was. He stated “But unfortunately, as a result of the conquest of India and other parts of the world that also had ancient civilisations, much of the ancient wisdom was supressed.” Nevertheless, knowledge cannot be suppressed forever and today we are experiencing a flowering of Yoga in the west and a renaissance in its original home.
Members of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh conducting their session
Ravi ji also praised the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh for spearheading yet again another successful event. He noted, “They have so inspired me and are living proof of the benefits Yoga can inculcate in all of us”
Yoga has been known to produce many health benefits, such as all-round fitness, stress relief, weight loss, increased energy and much more. Scientific research has shown that yoga helps to stabilise the mind and brings relief to chronic illnesses, contributing to proper blood circulation and inner peace. This can be practiced by anyone despite age and gender, and can be done at any time.
Participants exclaimed that the event was an inspiration to their lives. Many quipped that they are now ready to incorporate what they have leant into their daily routines. It was also noted that this activity should take place in schools across the country, so as to ensure a vibrant young population. The Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh would like to thank all their sponsors M&M Snackette, New India, Readymix Concrete Limited and Times Media Group who made their third International Yoga Day event a grand success.
