UAE gets ready for a Yogathon challenge

The Art of Living (AOL), an NGO that promotes various peace initiatives in 152 countries around the world, is all set to host its annual challenge - Yogathon-2013 - on April 12 between 4pm and 6pm at Zabeel Park, in Dubai and 9am to11am at Manchester United Soccer Schools on Airport Road in Abu Dhabi. Yogathon is part of the “Yoga for Health” festival initiated by the Art of Living UAE. It aims at creating an awareness about the simple and holistic benefits of yoga and is held to encourage people to take up its regular practice. The Yogathon is a mega-challenge in which individuals have to learn a series of 12 sequential yogic postures and then do 54 rounds of this exercise. Those who complete the 54-round challenge will be given a Gold Certificate, while everyone will take home a ‘Spirit of Yoga’ Certificate. Known as ‘Surya Namaskar’ in Sanskrit, these postures are a sequence of movements that relax the body, mind and breath rhythms for improved wellness. Last year’s Yogathon saw nearly 3,000 people participate in the event in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah and this year organisers expect the turnout to be even better. According to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the founder of AOL: “Unless we have a stress-free mind, disease free body and a violence-free society, we cannot achieve world peace.” To help individuals get rid of stress and experience inner peace, The Art of Living offers stress-elimination programmes which include breathing techniques, meditation and yoga. Registration for Yogathon 2013 is free as the main objective is to inspire people to inculcate Yoga into their lives. However, participants will be required to pay Dh5 for the entry fee to the venues where the event is being held. All through March and early April, AOL volunteers are organising training camps at various convenient locations around the UAE.  Individuals who wish to participate in Yogathon 2013 will be taught these 12 yogic postures so that they gradually develop both the strength and stamina required to participate in such a gruelling challenge at the peak of their ability. This year’s event will be led by AOL teacher, Girin Govind, secretary to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Govind is a senior AOL faculty, who has been with the foundation for more than a decade and teaches a variety of the foundation’s courses. Source: Khaleejtimes                 Note: Unable to see the above images? Please click on 'Display images' in your mail Art of Living Universe: Facebook | Twitter | Google Plus | YouTube | Pinterest