Yoga-Tai chi joint demonstration to honour PM Modi

A joint Yoga-Tai Chi demonstration will take place at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing on May 15 to honour Prime Minister Narendra Modi's maiden visit as head of government to China.

Around 200 people from the 'Yogi Yoga' centre will perform yoga at the venue, alongside 200 people performing tai chi.

The Yogi Yoga Centre was started in 2003 by Mohan Bhandari and this centre has produced an estimated 10,000 yoga teachers since 2007.

"This is the biggest yoga centre in China. We started this centre in 2003. We have 7000 students for this centre and since 2007 we have produced 10,000 teachers. Yoga is very popular in China. When young people join a particular field, it starts to spread," Bhandari told ANI here.

Speaking about the difference between Yoga and Tai Chi, Bhandari said that Yoga is more dynamic than Tai Chi.

"Tai chi and Yoga are independent practices, Tai Chi is slower than Yoga, but Yoga is more dynamic," he added.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi began his visit of China with Xi'an. He is scheduled to travel to Beijing later in the day.

In Xi'an, the Prime Minister visited the Terracotta Army museum, before travelling to the Daxingshan Temple.

He also met President Xi Jinping, before holding restricted talks with the Chinese leader.

Prime Minister Modi will conclude his tour of China by visiting Shanghai.