Still popular practice: Philippines participates in International Day of Yoga
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines joined in the annual celebration of the International Day of Yoga (IDY), now in its ninth year, as the practice remains popular in the post-pandemic era.
Yoga originated in an ancient Indian civilization and has been practiced for around 5,000 years. Recognizing it as a key pathway to obtaining a healthy lifestyle and its universal appeal, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga in 2014.
Its popularity in the country led some Filipinos to go to India for yoga training and receive certifications to teach yoga.
In the build-up for the ninth edition of IDY, yoga practice sessions were held all around Metro Manila, including the National Training School for Girls, the Haven for Women Institute, the Correctional Institution for Women, the Bureau of Fire Protection, Nord Anglia International School, Miriam College, and Club United.
Practice sessions even reached the Alpha Aviation Group in Clark, Pampanga as facilitated by the Indian Cultural Association of the Philippines.
The IDY celebration proper was observed at the SM Mall of Asia where more than 200 individuals practiced yoga asanas or poses as guided by leading yoga experts Janice Cuevas, Donna Lampano, Clara Day Herrera and Iachina Hernandez.
H.E. Shambhu S. Kumaran, the Ambassador of India to the Philippines, reiterated the growing post-pandemic popularity of yoga in the Philippines and its effectiveness as a practice for well-being and prophylaxis.
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