Art of Living leads Bahrain IDY 2017 celebrations
Manama : This year, the Art of Living Foundation has led from the front in supporting the Embassy of India’s International Day of Yoga 2017 (IDY2017) celebrations, from conducting yoga sessions for the embassy team and family to putting Bahrain on the global yoga chain.
For over one week, the AOL team has been working on different programmes in an effort to popularise the ancient Indian holistic health approach. The AOL engagement began on June 16 with an open-air yoga session for the staff and family members of the Indian Embassy at the popular Manama park, Andalus Garden. Attended by more than 25 people, AOL yoga team leader Sreenivasan led the group through a series of gentle beginner-level stretches, work-out-style Suryanamaskar, calming Pranayama breathing techniques and closing with rejuvenating meditation.
“We have been working closely with the Indian Embassy and the Ambassador Alok Kumar Sinha’s support underpins our work,” said AOL’s Sreenivasan, “In fact Sinha and Mrs. Mamta Sinha have been at the forefront of the IDY 2017 celebrations in Bahrain, encouraging groups to take part and making this global event a truly participative one.”
On June 17, the Art of Living Bahrain Chapter joined the rest of the world in an initiative called “Sun Never Sets on Yoga” which was a prelude to IDY2017. The early morning gathering of yoga practitioners at the Bahrain Bay Corniche with the Manama skyline as background, the AOL team joined enthusiasts from around 176 cities worldwide and performed Sun Salutations at historic locations. This magnificent event spanning five continents witnessed the world literally wakes up to yoga. Over 100 people participated in the event.
The universality of yoga was underlined on June 19, when AOL teachers led a yoga session for the staff of Nass Group at their office premises in Mina Salman. Attended by Indian Ambassador Alok Kumar Sinha and Nass Group Chairman Sameer Nass, the session proved hugely beneficial for the 150 people who attended it, helping them to understand simple stretch exercises and de-stressing techniques.
On June 20, AOL members participated a yoga session held at the new Chancery Complex, Seef and attended by all Embassy staff and their family members and also by about 100 members of the community. On the same day, AOL Faculty Member Dr. Bhramara Madduri presented a session on Desk Top yoga and guided meditation at a seminar organised by KIMS Medical group with the Indian Embassy under the theme “Yoga and holistic health” Held under the patronage of the Health Minister Faeeqa bint Saeed Al Saleh.
AOL led the YOGA protocol demo on stage during the 3rd IYD held at the Indian School which was the centrepiece IDY2017 event and attended by nearly 1000 people including local dignitaries.
AOL led a Yoga session for the members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, which was specially curated series of yoga exercises to promote health and de-stressing. About 50 members of the CA Chapter participated in this one hour session.
The AOL also conducted a Yogathon Session with participants training to demonstrate the challenging 108 Suryanamaskars over one session on July 7 at Bahrain Society of engineers Hall, Juffair. Indian Embassy Official Anand Prakash was the chief guest. More than 150 Yoga enthusiasts participated in this challenge and more than 100 completed the challenge.
AOL Founder Sri Sri Ravishanker, a world-renowned humanitarian and spiritual leader, has made yoga one of the core methodologies for promoting health and well being as well as mental calmness and a violence-free life.
“Yoga not only brings mundane benefits such as health and vibrance, but also uplifts the spirit and enhances intuitive ability which brings skill in action, helping one manage challenging situations without getting stressed.” said Sri Sri, “Every child is a born yogi. Till the age of three children all over the world naturally perform many yoga postures and mudras. The baby’s state of mind and breathing patterns are very similar to that of a yogi. Yoga brings up that child-like beauty and innocence in us.”
In his message on the occasion of IDY 2017, Sri Sri added, “It is a very well known fact that yoga has helped countless people recover from many illnesses. In an instant, it can bring about complete balance in one’s personality; it corrects extreme complexes and tendencies. In fact, yoga holds out the promise of many solutions that today’s behavior sciences are looking for.”
He observed, “Like science, sports and culture, the philosophy & discipline of yoga also need state patronage to flourish. After so many years of being denied its true place in the guise of secularism, it is highly refreshing to see yoga receiving strong thrust from our Hon. Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi. When people at the helm of affairs practise yoga, it brings greater harmony and less of one-upmanship and rhetoric. If heads of all nations start adhering to the wisdom of yoga, true world peace would soon be attainable.”
For more information on AOL Yoga classes and other activities, call 39837475 or 39478144 email: artoflivingbah@gmail.com.
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