Massive preparations for International Yoga Day

KANPUR: As International Yoga Day will be celebrated all over the country on June 21, the denizens have geared for the noble cause. Several private institutions and committees all around the city are making massive preparations to sensitise people about benefits of yoga. Every possible effort is being made to ensure a big assembly of people comprising professionals, children and women on that day.
Several events will be organised in the city to mark the occasion. Om Prakash Anand, a city-based yoga expert, said that in comparison to past years, awareness about yoga has increased among the locals. “With rise in awareness, participation in yoga related activities among the Kanpurities has also increased. We are organising yoga camps every day in order to sensitise people about the same. People have misconception that yoga is just an exercise. Yoga is ‘sadhana’, it is an art of living. Practising different ‘asanas’ can get you rid of many diseases and disorders, whether mental or physical,” he said.
Private organisations, including Indian Council of Women Entrepreneurs (ICWE) and Bharat Vikas Parishad will be participating in the yoga camp to be held on June 21. Special seminars and a 30-minute yoga practice session will be organised on this occasion in which experts will shed light on the importance of yoga.
Neerja Agrawal, a member of a group of yoga enthusiasts, who practise the art every morning in CSA University ground, said that she has been practising it for the past 20 years.
“Yoga relaxes your whole mind, body and soul. In the beginning, it may appear to be a little tough, but after a little practice, things become easy. It helps keep the body fit and disease free. Yoga uses `asanas' focused concentration on specific body parts and `pranayams' to integrate body with mind. I feel that everyone, including elderly and children, should practise it,” she said.