KPL
(KPL) Thousands of people joined a Yoga exercise event in Vientiane this morning at That Luang Square in celebrating the 9th International Day of Yoga under the theme “Yoga for Humanity”.
Yoga exercise in Vientiane this morning at That Luang Square
(KPL) Thousands of people joined a Yoga exercise event in Vientiane this morning at That Luang Square in celebrating the 9th International Day of Yoga under the theme “Yoga for Humanity”.
In the inspiring presence of sacred national monument That Luang, Yoga enthusiasts came together for the largest Yoga gathering in Vientiane so far, to know the benefits of Yoga and to follow a simple common Yoga protocol.
Organized by Indian Embassy to Laos and sponsored by Art of Living Laos and Indian businesses, the event saw Deputy Minister of Education and Sports Kingmano Phommahaxay, Vice Vientiane Mayor Phouvong Vongkhamsao, President of the Lao-Indian Friendship Association Southam Sakonhninyom, senior government officials, diplomatic corps, India community to Laos and general public.
Chargé d'affaires of India to Laos Amit Kumar Gupta
“Since 2015, the Embassy in partnership with the Government of Laos has been celebrating the International Day of Yoga. Yoga is an invaluable gift of India's ancient tradition to mankind. Yoga is for the benefit of all of us and good for health, harmony and peace of mind, and especially important as we recover from Covid pandemic. Practising Yoga is a way of leading a healthier life,” said Chargé d'affaires of India to Laos Amit Kumar Gupta.
“The United Nations General Assembly in 2014 adopted the resolution with a record 177 co-sponsoring nations to observe 21 June as the International Day of Yoga (IDY),”said Mr Amit Kumar Gupta.
Deputy Minister of Education and Sports Kingmano Phommahaxay
“The celebration of the International Day of Yoga is similar to the great festival of the International Yoga Federation. It has been celebrated since 2016. Until now, there have been more than 300 million people who practice yoga around the world, and the trend is to increase continuously,” said Deputy Minister of Education and Sports Kingmano Phommahaxay.
“On the other hand, yoga also provides many benefits to people, which include not just exercise but also helping to strengthen their mental and physical power. In addition, practicing yoga can also help relieve stress and anxiety. The most important thing is that yoga has made an important contribution to the promotion of peace, friendship, and happiness between nations in the world,” he said.
Benefits of Yoga for the health and well-being of individuals and communities are well known. It has become especially relevant in the aftermath of Covid19, with the need for physical and mental fitness and for boosting one’s natural immunity. Yoga is also a perfect way to tackle various lifestyle stresses and pressures. Yoga today has become a powerful unifying force with positive influence in the lives of millions across the world.
In the spirit of LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative for pursuing an environmental conscious lifestyle, a special feature of the event was its eco-friendliness, with no single-use plastics used.
IDY is also being marked at historical UNESCO World Heritage site of Vat Phou on 21st June. In the run up to IDY, a number of Yoga demonstrations were organized across Vientiane as curtain raisers.
These events, seen across the globe, will also create added visibility and tourism potential for these national treasures of Laos.
KPL
