 "YOGA")
Yoga has always been embraced for its potential health benefits. But now, fans will soon get to see a Yoga League, that will come with the mix of Yoga and Bollywood entertainment.
Yes, you read that right - a Yoga League. Post the successful launch of Indian Premier League (IPL), Indian viewers welcomed Pro Kabaddi League, Hockey India League, Premier Badminton League, Pro Wrestling League, et al. Now it's time to gear up for Yoga league. According to Economics Times, the first edition of the league will kickstart in the first quarter of 2017.
Here are 5 things you must know:
1. With the mix of Yoga and Bollywood entertainment, contestants will be performing ‘asanas’ (postures) to the tunes of Bollywood songs. The league will see various teams from abroad and within India.
2. Yoga League concept is a brainchild of sports marketing firms Baseline Ventures and Republic of Sports. They have acquired long term rights for the property from Yoga Federation of India and Asian Yoga Federation to launch Yoga League in India and Asa.
3. Through this, attempt will be made to promote yoga internationally as an entertaining notion and will also aim to achieve PM Modi's mission of promoting Yoga as a Way of Life
4. Team franchisees are not going to be sold.
5. Bollywood, International celebrities and top Yoga gurus will be roped in. According to President of Yoga Federation of India and general secretary, Asian Yoga Federation, Ashok Agarwal, "most of the sports federations and yoga players around the world have given their consent to participate in this uniquely designed Yoga League".
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's push to promote Yoga, led to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declaring June 21st as the International Day of Yoga.
Recently, the ancient Indian philosophy behind yoga, the mind-body discipline now practised the world over, joined Unesco’s list of 'intangible' world heritage. The discipline was added to the prestigious list in recognition of its influence on Indian society, “from health and medicine to education and the arts”, the World Heritage Committee said in a statement.
"Designed to help individuals build self-realisation, ease any suffering they may be experiencing and allow for a state of liberation, (yoga) is practised by the young and old without discriminating against gender, class or religion,” Unesco added in a tweet.
