Yogis in Bali flocked to Lapangan Puputan Margarana, central Renon, Denpasar, as early as 5.30 am on Sunday 21 June to celebrate the inaugural International Day of Yoga, according to a press release posted on the Consulate-General of India’s Facebook page.
The International Day of Yoga is an initiative introduced by India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, with 177 countries of the United Nations reportedly co-sponsoring the Resolution. The Sunday event attracted more than 3600 participants, which apparently created a new record for “maximum number of people practicing yoga at a single location in Indonesia”.
Some of these participants included celebrities, fitness experts, media persons, members of diplomatic corps, visiting foreigners and senior officials for Provincial Government. Famous Bali names include prominent bodybuilder Ade Rai, Balinese music guru Gus Teja and singer Agung Ocha.
Anak Agung Gede Yuniartha Putra (Head of Provincial Department of Tourism), who was a participant of the event, told Kompas on Sunday that Bali wants to increase the number of yogis visiting the island. “We want to include yoga tourism as a way to attract more foreign tourists with special interests”. To do this, the Department of Tourism is intending to co-operate with various tourism stakeholders as well as yoga practitioners.
Not that we think it should be that hard of a sell. After all, rice paddies in Ubud and sunset in Sanur beach aren’t exactly terrible backdrops to get your vinyāsa on or practice your sun-salutations.
Photo: Consulate General of India, Bali Facebook Page
