Date:05/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/05/stories/2007110558130200.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Yoga is the modern mantra

Youngsters take to yoga like fish to water

Yoga gurus believe in inculcating practice among children
Some children have grown to become yoga instructors

HYDERABAD: Catch them young! This mantra seems best suited to promulgate and encourage youngsters to taking up yoga on a lifetime basis. At least, one gets this impression after seeing the three-day state-level yoga competitions organised by A.P State Yoga Federation, which concluded on Sunday at Raheempura. The competitions showed just how fast this ‘art’ had succeeded in making deep inroads into the youngsters lives, attracting them to its fold. While in earlier times, such events drew 200 to 250 children, this time around, it brought over 600 children of various age groups.

“Once they get hooked to it, then yoga stays with them throughout their lives. It becomes a way of life for these youngsters. Parents also have realised its importance. Youngsters who have received training from us are now yoga tutors,” says Brijbhushan Purohit, General Secretary for Andhra Pradesh State Yoga Federation.

“I have been doing yoga since I was six. I have become a yoga instructor at several schools and I am using this to back-up my studies,” says S. Srinivas, touted to take part in the upcoming national-level yoga competitions at Tirupati.

The effortless ease with which his supple figures bend in unimaginable ways drew applause from other children watching intently during the contests. Yoga Federation has been organising the competition for the last two decades but this time, the response has been stupendous.

“It’s important to take yoga to the children and indications are quite encouraging. It makes us feel safe about existence and proliferation of this ‘art’ form,” says Mr. Purohit, who is also the Director of Hanuman Vyayamashala which has been attracting lot many youngsters to learn yoga.