Eastleigh

Eastleigh, Majengo residents embrace harmony while celebrating International Yoga Day

Residents of Eastleigh and Majengo celebrate International Yoga Day at Pumwani Social Hall on Friday, June 1, 2024. (Photos: EV)

By Erick Kariuki | Friday, June 21, 2024

Residents of Eastleigh and Majengo celebrated International Yoga Day at Pumwani Social Hall on Friday, joining the world in commemorating the day celebrated annually on June 21.

This annual celebration highlights the transformative power of yoga, bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds to partake in activities that nurture both the body and mind.

The event at Pumwani Hall was organised by Diplomats for Health in Resilient Community, an organisation based in Majengo, in collaboration with Art of Living Kenya, which focuses on improving young people's mental well-being in the community through meditation, yoga, and breath work that help regulate mental health.

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"Diplomats for Health in Resilient Community was launched three months ago and is focused on promoting the mental well-being of young people, women refugees and vulnerable populations in Kamukunji constituency," Edwin Michieka, the head of the organisation, told the Eastleigh Voice.

Sharadh Chandra, an international yoga trainer from Art of Living India who was interviewed by the Eastleigh Voice after the session, stated that yoga has become a trend embraced worldwide due to its impacts.

Sharadh Chandra, an international yoga trainer from Art of Living India visited Kamukunji Constituency in June 2024. (Photo: EV)

"Yoga has become a trend that I see in the world right now. Yoga itself has a deeper meaning. It unites the body, mind, and spirit. If we have peace inside, then there is peace everywhere.

"Inner peace, outer dynamism, is the principle of yoga. So far, our organisation has managed to reach more than 1 million youth, and we are targeting more by the end of the year," Chandra stated.

Additionally, through yoga, attendees can handle their feelings, thoughts, and emotions. Chandra also added that the organisations target having a violent-free society, stress-free minds, and putting smiles on everybody's faces.

The core value of Art of Living is to see one world family," Chandra highlighted.

Yoga is a holistic discipline that originated in ancient India and has evolved over thousands of years. It integrates physical postures (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama), meditation, and relaxation techniques to promote overall health and well-being.

Beyond its physical benefits of improving flexibility, strength, and posture, yoga is known for its mental and spiritual aspects, fostering mindfulness, stress reduction, and inner peace.

Residents of Eastleigh and Majengo celebrate International Yoga Day at Pumwani Social Hall on Friday, June 1, 2024. (Photos: EV)

Residents of Eastleigh and Majengo participate in a yoga session during the International Yoga Day at Pumwani Social Hall on Friday, June 1, 2024. (Photos: EV)

It emphasises the connection between body and mind, encouraging practitioners to cultivate self-awareness and harmony within themselves and their surroundings.

Yoga is practised worldwide in various forms, from vigorous styles like Ashtanga and Vinyasa to more gentle practices such as Hatha and Yin yoga. Others are power yoga, Kundalini and Sivananga.

Hatha

Hatha is an old system that includes the practice of asanas (yoga postures) and pranayama (breathing exercises), which focus on meditation.

Vinyasa

Vinyasa essentially means movement synchronised with breath and is a vigorous style based on a rapid flow through sun salutations.

Ashtanga

Ashtanga is non-stop yoga where participants are encouraged to breathe as they move from pose to pose. It is also typically fast-paced, vigorous, and physically challenging.

Yin Yoga

Yin yoga is a slow-paced style in which poses are held for five minutes or longer.