Bhubaneswar: Around 100 people, mostly Japanese and a few Indians, participated in a two-hour International Day of Yoga (IDY) session at Toyota City in Japan on Sunday. The session was led by yoga instructor Nibedita Sahu, who hails from Odisha’s Baripada.Sahu said over the last five years, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, people have increasingly recognised the importance of mental and physical health as well as immunity. “As an Indian yoga teacher, I aim to promote the authentic traditions of yoga and pranayama among the Japanese and international communities, helping people lead healthier and more balanced lives,” said Sahu..The asanas, including ‘tadasana’ (mountain pose), ‘vrikshasana’ (tree pose), ‘padahastasana’ (hand-to-foot pose), ‘ardha chakrasana’ (half-wheel pose), ‘trikonasana’ (triangle pose), ‘bhadrasana’ (butterfly pose), ‘vajrasana’ (thunderbolt pose), ‘bhujangasana’ (cobra pose), ‘shalabhasana’ (locust pose) and ‘setu bandhasana’ (bridge pose), were according to the common yoga protocol (CYP) prescribed for the IDY. The session also included pranayama practices such as ‘kapalabhati’, ‘anulom vilom’ and ‘bhramari’, followed by meditation and relaxation.Among the participants, homemaker Eiko Yamashita, 61, has been practising yoga for six months, and she said she has been cured of shoulder and back pain with regular practice. “I’ve been enjoying weekly sessions using props and bolsters. The guidance on breathing techniques is precise. Yoga has brought improved mental clarity and emotional stability in me, particularly when I take care of my sick mother,” said Yamashita.Similarly, Mamiko Nagae, 58, a tutor, feels yoga has helped him in physical and mental well-being. “Yoga has made me more conscious about my health and diet. It has also given me opportunities to explore Indian culture, which has brought me many new insights and discoveries,” he said.Indians living and working in Japan also participated in the session. “Yoga has improved my flexibility, reduced stress, and helped me stay focused and balanced in my daily life,” said Mani Nagaveni, 31, a clinical researcher.“Regular yoga practice has helped me improve my posture and concentration, and manage work-related stress more effectively,” said Jayaraman Achuthan, 31, a mechanical design engineer.The event started and concluded with Indian classical dances.At Nagoya City, the IDY celebrations started with a special event on May 31 at Nagoya International Center, bringing together participants from Japan, India, and many other countries, raising awareness about yoga.
