Mysuru’s yoga footfall sees sharp dip

Mysuru: Until a few years ago, popular localities in the city were bustling with foreign visitors who came to learn yoga. Areas such as Lakshmipuram, Gokulam, and Yadavagiri regularly witnessed large numbers of international yoga enthusiasts attending classes at various schools and training centres.However, over the past couple of years, the presence of foreign students in the city has declined sharply. Yoga institutions that once recorded heavy enrolment from overseas students are now witnessing a significant drop in admissions.The decline has affected one of the city's long-standing identities as a global yoga hub. Over the years, foreign visitors have become an integral part of Mysuru's cultural and tourism landscape.Heads of several yoga centres told TOI that the trend became noticeable after Covid-19. According to them, the number of foreigners travelling to Mysuru specifically for yoga training has reduced drastically.Mysurean K Raghavendra Pai, vice-chancellor of Vyasa Bharati Triyoga University, USA, confirmed the shift. He said that while global interest in yoga has not declined, many learners have switched from offline classes to online platforms after the pandemic."There is no decline in the number of yoga learners, but many have shifted to online platforms. That is why the city is missing its favourite guests," he said.He added that several students who earlier trained in Mysuru are now teaching yoga in their home countries. In addition, many yoga instructors from Mysuru regularly travel abroad for short-term teaching assignments, reducing the need for international students to visit the city.Mysuru Yoga Federation president Srihari Dwarkanath said the city has seen a steep fall in foreign arrivals after Covid-19. He also pointed to the untimely death of noted yoga guru Sharath Jois as another factor behind the decline. According to him, destinations such as Rishikesh are increasingly attracting yoga enthusiasts.He stressed the need for renewed efforts to promote Mysuru as a premier global yoga destination.