Hundreds practise yoga in Beijing

Hundreds of people practised Yoga here on Saturday to mark the International Yoga Day which will be observed on June 21.

Chinese yoga practitioners enthusiastically participated in separate events organised by the Indian embassy and yoga institutes in Beijing which were also attended by artistes and Indian yoga experts.

Last year, the United Nations declared June 21 as the International Yoga Day. The celebrations of the Second International Yoga Day, beginning from June 18, will end on June 26.

In China, nine cities will officially observe the week with the Consulate General of India in Shanghai.

Addressing a gathering of over 600 in Beijing's Chaoyang Park, Deputy Chief of Mission B. Bala Bhaskar said yoga is relevant in today's world where rapid urbanisation has put people under tremendous pressure.

"Many people are increasingly turning to yoga to help tackle this stress and there is a lot of interest in China to collaborate with yoga experts from India," he said.

He also said the Indian embassy in Beijing was doing the utmost in this regard.

Famous Chinese painter Gong Jianxin was also one of the participants.

Five Indian yoga teachers led the mass yoga. There was also a flute performance.

In a similar event in Shanghai, several practitioners participated in the mass yoga.

Officials of the Indian consulate and their families also took part in this event.

--IANS

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