Young yoga masters flex their muscles

KOCHI: It was a show of flexibility by young yoga masters. The venue was Bhavan’s Vidya Mandir at Elamakkara where nearly 150 students participated in the Ernakulam District Yogasana Championship ’06 on Thursday.

The yoga competition was conducted separately for boys and girls in 12 categories, starting from sub-junior to veteran level (men and women). Apart from schools, there were also participants from yoga centres.

The first, second and third prize winners can participate in the state-level yoga competition which will be held on Sunday at Edappally Changampuzha Park. The participants in each category were called to the stage and asked to prove their yoga expertise. They were to show different types of yogasanas.

For individual performances, most of the candidates chose tough yogasana movements such as Ghandaperundasan and Sheershasan.

The judgement was based on the starting and finishing body movements as well as the ability to bend and balance one’s body. The participants had to balance each posture up to 30 seconds.

“Yoga class has been made mandatory in most of the CBSE schools. But government schools are yet to take the initiative,” said Mukunda Kumar L B, manager, Life Yoga Centre. “Only six students from government schools are taking part in this competition,” he said.

“Most parents know that yoga will improve concentration skills and fitness levels of their wards,” said L B Suresh Menon, secretary of Ernakulam District Yoga Sports Association. “Besides, it is much more than an exercise,” he says.

“Catch them young is the only way by which we can instil in children a liking towards yoga. However, compared to last year, there is tremendous response this year,” said K J Sohan, president, Ernakulam District Yoga Sports Association. Bhavan’s Vidya Mandir, Elamakkara, bagged T A Ramanashan Memorial Yogasana Championship’ and Bhavan’s Adarsh Vidyalaya, Kakkanad, was the runner-up. Mayor Mercy Williams gave away the prizes to the winners.

The meeting was presided over by K G Sohan.Earlier, K P Bhaskaramenon, secretary, Kerala Yoga Association, inaugurated the Ernakulam district Yogasana Championship ’06.