‘Health for Humanity’ Yogathon 2012 to promote Kiwi health

MEDIA RELEASE (28 August 2012)

‘Health for Humanity’ Yogathon 2012 to promote Kiwi health

New Zealand cities and towns will witness a unique health event from Sunday, 16 September to Sunday 30 September 2012. People from all walks of life and different age groups are once again invited to participate in a two-week “Health for Humanity” Yogathon 2012, after the successful completion of the first ever New Zealand wide Yogathon last year. The event is free and open to all to participate (under trained Yoga instructors).

The enthusiastic response to a similar programme last year came from more than 50 Yoga schools and groups and nearly 1000 individuals. A number of Yoga studios, dance schools, community and social organisations, gyms/ health clubs, and community schools participated, promoted and also hosted the event in their respective cities. We are expecting a similar participation this year as well.

Yogathon New Zealand, a division of Hindu Council of New Zealand, will organise the nationwide ‘Health for Humanity’ Yogathon 2012 with the aim of increasing awareness about the science of yoga, and its techniques in facilitating a healthy body, mind, and spirit in balance with each other.

The participants will aim to collectively perform 108,000 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 techniques. If you are a first time practitioner, trained instructors will be available at specific locations to help you get initiated in Yoga through Surya Namaskars.

Last year, the collective target was to perform 100,000 repetitions, and we reached nearly 90,000. This time with more awareness, publicity and participants, we hope to reach the increased target.

Surya Namaskar is an important and vital part of yogic practice. Its importance becomes more relevant in today's world which is full of stress and worries, as it combines various Yoga techniques in a condensed set comprising of asana (yoga postures), pranayama (breathing technique), and dhyan (meditation).

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

'Health for Humanity' Yogathon is open to people of all ages, gender, and races. Yogathon organising committee invites various yoga centres, schools and tertiary institutes, social, cultural, and spiritual and community organisations, and individuals to participate in ‘Health for Humanity’ Yogathon and learn this unique Yoga technique.

Participants can conduct Surya Namaskar repetitions from the comfort of their homes or as part of the regular group they practice with; in addition venues will be available in some cities where they can join in group practice with trainers.

Those willing to volunteer and help promote and coordinate this event in their respective cities/ schools/ neighbourhoods and be part of the Yogathon team are heartily welcome. To register interest as participant/ volunteer/ both, please register at

Website: http://yogathon-nz.org/registration

or email: yogathon.nz@gmail.com

ENDS

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