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The fortnight-long annual Yogathon 2016 event will be held from September 10 to 20, 2016. The participants aim to collectively perform 108,000 repetitions of ‘Surya Namaskar’ (Sun Salutation) during this period.
A repetition of Surya Namaskar consists of a series of yoga postures of well-balanced movements linked with simple breathing techniques. Participants can conduct Surya Namaskar repetitions from the comfort of their homes or as part of the regular group they practice with; in addition, venues will be available in some cities where they can join in group practice with trainers.
For further details, please contact Sonali Hegde on 021-326225.
Yogathon New Zealand, a division of Hindu Council of New Zealand (HCNZ), has been promoting the practice and raising awareness of Yoga in collaboration with various schools and practitioners of yoga at grassroots level for the last many years, organised community led events for International Day of Yoga, 2016, in New Zealand ton June 21, 2016.
HCNZ is also an affiliate of ECOSOC, a division of UNO.
The science behind Yoga is based on the conception of koshas (layers/levels) of human personality consisting of the physical body, physiological structures and functions, and mental, intellectual, and spiritual aspects of human existence. Yoga theory asserts that each of these koshas should be healthy in themselves and in combination to achieve a balanced, healthy and fulfilling life while reaching out towards higher awareness.
Unique gift
Hindu Council of New Zealand (HCNZ) President Vinod Kumar said that Yoga is a unique gift for a way to good health that has its roots deep in the Hindu heritage and traditions.
“In our quest to share this gift with New Zealand, we established Yogathon New Zealand several years ago, to facilitate different schools of yoga and practitioners to promote the common goal of raising awareness of Yoga and public health. Last year, the UN declared June 21 as the ‘International Day of Yoga.’ This declaration has greatly aided the purpose of Yogathon New Zealand and seen more organisations joining hands with Yogathon NZ and various schools of yoga, to actively promote yoga,” he said.
Yoga in Wellington
In Wellington, Yogathon NZ is collaborating with VYASA NZ, who are leading the organisation and facilitation of 2 community workshops:
Workshop 1: ‘Yoga techniques for general wellbeing’, held on 25th June, in Lower Hutt, facilitated by Ram Bharadwaj.
Workshop 2 ‘Yoga for diabetes’, held on 26th June in Newtown, facilitated by Naena Chimma.
“It is great to see the message of health & wellbeing conveyed to general public. The Vegetarian Society of New Zealand, Wellington branch have extensively promoted these events,” HCNZ Vice-President Dr Rajiv Chaturvedi said.
Yoga in Auckland
In Auckland Yogathon NZ collaborated with Manukau Indian Association (MIA) at the Vodafone Events Centre on June 19.
MIA President Veer Khar said that his Association joined hands with Art of Living and Yogathon New Zealand to hold New Zealand’s first, largest indoor celebration of the first International Day of Yoga last year.
“Yoga originated from the rishis (researchers) and sages of Bharat (India). Manukau hosts the largest Indian population of New Zealand and we are chuffed to see the large numbers of people who came to support and celebrate yoga as a community, both last year and this year. In addition, the Indian High Commission in New Zealand has recognised the lead that wider community has taken to spread Yoga over the past decades, and come on board to participate in the International Day of Yoga, 2016,” he said.
Widespread interest
Along with Art of Living, instructors from Bikram Yoga, Brahmakumaris, Raj Yoga Meditation Group and independent practitioners such as Gurpreet Siddhu have taken an active role in instructing and supporting the celebration of International Yoga day in Auckland.
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Photo Caption:
Participants at the International Day of Yoga on June 21 in Manukau, Auckland
