CHENNAI: About 1,000 students of Bhavan’s Rajaji Vidyashram, Kilpauk, took up the yogathon challenge recently. The event, which was organised by The Art of Living, an NGO that works towards creating awareness about physical and mental health, saw students from classes five to nine, performing surya-namaskar 108 times.
It took 50 minutes for the students to complete it. Though a few of them gave up the challenge midway, many completed the task successfully. The students were given participation certificates.
Yashitha Jain, a seventh standard student, who completed the challenge, said, “I did not complete it for the sake of the certificate. I always take yoga as a challenge. I perform yoga at home whenever I find time. After participating in this yogathon, I feel rejuvenated. Yoga relaxes one’s mind and body, students should practice the art.”
Another participant, Saharsh Bhansali, a sixth standard student, said that after a few minutes of starting the task, he wanted to give up. “But I said to myself that I was doing it for my own health, and it was in my hands to maintain it properly. This gave me the boost and I finished doing 108 suryanamaskars successfully. I am feeling good about it now,” he added. Zahir Hussain, a yoga trainer who works with the NGO, said that the yogathon was started on December 14, and will go on till January 22.
The team is also conducting similar events in public places and offices in various cities. Around 1.8 million people across the country have taken part in the challenge till date. The main aim of the programme is to spread awareness about yoga among people, especially among youngsters.
“Today, students do not indulge in any physical activities. These kind of events will help strengthen their mind,” said the organisers.