Participants stretching at the Penang International Yoga Day 2022 event in George Town. — Photos: LIM BENG TATT/The Star
IT HAS been seven years since administrative worker Lincoln Yeoh Beng Kheong, 36, took up yoga as part of a plan to lead a more healthy life.
Today, he spends at least an hour daily practising his pranayama (deep breathing) and asanas (poses) at home and never misses any community yoga event.
Yeoh took up yoga seven years ago because he wanted to lead a healthier life.
“I prefer hatha yoga and I modify some poses to suit my flexibility.
“I often invite friends to join my yoga sessions,” said Yeoh, who often runs and hikes and observes a diet that is 80% vegetarian.
He was among 250 participants at the two-hour Penang International Yoga Day 2022 event at Penang City Park in George Town, held to mark World Yoga Day.
The event was jointly organised by Malaysia Hindu Dharma Mamandram (Penang), Penang Island City Council and Perfect Life Yoga Asia Academy.
Yoga instructor Kavi Yitya from Kuala Lumpur conducted the session.
Spotted at the event were Vietnamese friends Lan Anh, 27, and Kha Thang, 29, also known as Win.
The friends, who both work in customer service, have been in Malaysia for 18 months. They took up yoga in Vietnam three years ago.
“We were taught by Indian yoga trainers and we are fully aware of the benefits,” said Win.
Lan Anh said yoga was a wholesome exercise that started from the inside and had helped improve her sleep.
Teacher P. Thevege, 36, drove from Kulim, Kedah, with her sons H. Baavenessh Nair, five, and H. Bayvendran, four, to attend the event.
“The boys have been practising yoga for one year and they enjoy it,” she said.
Thevege recommended parents to send their children for yoga classes.
“Yoga not only improves physical and emotional well-being, it also helps mould a wholesome person,” she added.
(Standing, from left) Yoga master MK Santha, 53, and Thevege with her sons Baavenessh (left) and Bayvendran at the event.
Organising chairman N. Thanabalan said the event was held online in the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Prior to Covid, we could attract about 400 participants. This year, we targeted 200 people and were pleasantly surprised to see 250 people here.”
Participants received a T-shirt, refreshments and certificate.
They were also entertained with performances by Perfect Life Yoga Asia Academy and Yogeeshah Yoga Centre.
Bukit Bendera MP Wong Hon Wai was the guest of honour.
