‘Health for Humanity’ Yogathon inspires many Kiwis

PRESS RELEASE
(14 September 2011)

‘Health for Humanity’ Yogathon inspires many Kiwis

New Zealand cities witnessed a unique health event from 13th to 27th of August 2011. People from all walks of life and different age groups participated in a two-week “Health for Humanity” Yogathon. The youngest participant was 3 year old in Wellington and the oldest was 82 years old from Auckland. The event was free and open to all to participate.

The participants aimed to collectively perform 100,000 repetitions of ‘Surya Namaskar’ (Sun Salutation) over a period of 15 days. A repetition of Surya Namaskar consists of a series of yoga postures of well-balanced movements linked with simple breathing technique. The final tally was 89,058.

Mr Venkat Koppaka, the national coordinator for Yogathon, said it was indeed a great achievement considering this event was happening for the first time in New Zealand.

Yogathon 2011 was launched simultaneously in Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Wellington and Nelson. Registrants from other places such as Christchurch, Taupo, Nelson, Coromandel, Hawkes Bay, Whangarei, and Motueka also participated.

“In Auckland city alone we had four centres namely Henderson, Mount Eden, North Shore and Flat Bush,” said Mr Koppaka.

The enthusiastic response to Yogathon 2011 came from more than 50 groups and nearly 1000 individuals. This also includes two members of Parliament, Dr Rajen Prasad and Sue Moroney, from Auckland and Hamilton respectively. Group registrations included Yoga studios, dance schools, community and social organisations, gyms/ health clubs, and community schools.

This year three groups namely Wellpark College of Natural Therapies, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh and Art of Living Foundation performed more than 10,000 Surya Namaskars each. Certificates will be given to these three groups during the Rotorua Deepawali Festival 2011.

This programme was successful because of a number of yoga teachers and volunteers, many from non-Indian community. Plans for Yogathon 2012 are already afoot, following the enthusiastic and positive comments by participants. Rotorua has already formed a committee for Yogathon 2012.

“We will widen the scope of Yogathon 2011, and invite schools and hospitals (doctors and district nurses) to participate in this planned annual health initiative. We also aim to take Surya Namaskars to prison inmates,” said Dr Rajiv Chaturvedi, Media and Public Relations Officer, Hindu Council of New Zealand.

Surya Namaskar is an important and vital part of yogic practice. Its importance becomes more relevant in today's world which is full of tensions and worries, as it combines the various Yoga techniques in a condensed set comprising of asana, pranayam, and dhyan.

The purpose of Yogathon is to promote Yoga widely in a scientific perspective of health, to help introduce it as a part of school curriculum in future, encourage healthy living, and connect Yoga schools and practitioners in New Zealand through participation in this planned annual event.

We would like to thank all our sponsors and supporters: Lottery Grants Board (the primary sponsor). Baba Ramdev’s JMJK group in Auckland, media partners (Radio Tarana, Access Radio Wellington, Indian Weekender, Indianz Outlook, Anahata Yoga Retreat, and volunteers in various cities, as well as all the group and individual registrants. Sponsorship of prizes in Wellington by Mrs. Aparna Roy and Mrs. Mohini Kumar is gratefully acknowledged.

ENDS

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