KUALA LUMPUR: Some 800 local and foreign participants of all ages showed off their hatha yoga skills at the recent Malaysian International Yoga Competition 2014.
Their awe-inspiring performances were witnessed by hundreds of visitors.
The event, which took place at SJK (T) Vivekananda, Brickfields, here, was organised by the Malaysian Yoga Society (MYS).
The foreign participants, especially the more than 100 yogis from India, took the competition to unprecedented heights with their mastery of difficult postures.
Small wonder then that the overall champion in the kids category was Yogesh Shankarsing Pardeshi of India, while Chanakan Avarakkadjakaval of Thailand bagged the overall championship title in the adults category.
Mona Cheong, a student of Mayi Yoga Academy, said yoga has the power to effect transformation from the deeper levels of the mind and had an amazing influence on the holistic development of a person, both internally and externally.
“The competition was much tougher this year but the local participants, a majority of whom are students, showed commendable improvement and great skill in executing their poses,” said MYS founder and president Master Manisekaran.
“Many of them are trained by qualified MYS instructors over the year and come from underprivileged backgrounds.
“These participants and those from homes are sponsored by MYS,” he said.
A vegetarian food carnival was also held.
The competition is part of MYS’ efforts to promote awareness of the science of yoga and its colossal benefits to the body, mind and emotions.
For details, visit www.malaysianyogasociety.
org or call 03-2260 5322, 2282 4980 or 7726 6682.