International Yoga Day was celebrated with great fervour in Banaras. Apart from the locals, the foreign tourists in the city were also part of the celebrations held at various places in the city. At Raja Ghat, yoga instructor Anju Sand taught the yoga asanas to the participants that included foreigners. "We have been holding free yoga camps since nearly a month. Several foreign travellers were part of the learning session and they were really keen to learn this ancient technique. They made it a point to be on time during the practise session every the morning," she said.
Foreigners at a yoga camp in Varanasi (BCCL/ Arvind Kumar)
Sharing his experience Charles Rianto from
Indonesia, said, "It is my second time practising yoga in India, which I am doing since the last several years. I am an avid traveller so I love exploring new places. Yoga helps me to keep fit as it removes stiffness from the body and helps overcome fatigue. I got to know from FB that today is International Yoga Day and I am happy that I am in Banaras for this special occasion."
Similarly, Kayla Coombes from
New Zealand, was part of the camp since the last two days. "I did stretching exercises and mediation and I already feel so energised. It is a great experience," she said.
While Margarite, a freelance journalist from Australia, who has been learning yoga since the last two years, says, "Yoga not only makes you fit but also calms the mind. To observe International Yoga Day in Banaras is the best thing to happen to me."
