Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and others rolled out their yoga mats to mark the international day in the city on Tuesday.
Ministers, politicians, students and fitness freaks joined them in performing yoga. They did not wear yoga day shirts or suits, but put their best foot forward. Many students, however, were clad in yoga T-shirts or white salwar and kameej or kurta and pyjama.
The day began with warm-up exercises at 7 a.m. Mr. Naidu and Mr. Prabhu performed a number of asanas and led from the front.
Some Cabinet colleagues, MPs and other officials joined them in practising yogasanas. They were seemingly peaceful on their yoga mats as they contorted their bodies for asanas, which was unusual to say the least. The Chief Minister performed yoga with a bit of ease and in relaxed atmosphere as cameras clicked and rolled around. Some of his Cabinet colleagues struggled to match him.
Various asanas
The participants performed various asanas and pranayama for about 20 minutes. Tadasan, Vrikshasan, padahasthasan, artha chakrasan, trikonasan, dandasan, bhadrasan, vajrasan, atha ushtrasan, mandukasan, vakrasan, makarasan, bhujangasan and savasan were a few asanas practised by the participants. Instructor Ganeshwar Reddy helped the participants in peforming ‘bhramari pranayama’ just before chanting shanti mantra.
A large number of students, including those from the National Cadet Corps, took part and were initiated into or practised yoga on the occasion.
Mr. Naidu seized the opportunity to administer a pledge to the participants that they would practice yoga to live life to its full potential.
Demonstrations by students of IIIT, Nuzvid, and VMC schools drew special attraction. Their shows were fusion of yoga and dance.
Naidu was at ease and outperformed his Cabinet colleagues
