Yoga for peace on Indo-Pak border

AMRITSAR: Amidst renewed border tension between India and Pakistan, Surya Namaskar (sun salutation) is a hope to bring both inner and outer peace and eventually a reconciliation on jittery India-Pakistan relations.
This is the belief of Pakistani Yogi Sumaira Servat who will be performing 100 Surya Namaskar in Islamabad on the occasion of International Yoga Day on Thursday.
While talking to TOI over the phone from Islamabad on the eve of International Yoga Day, Sumaira, a yoga teacher, explained that ancient spiritual practice of 12 asana’s (postures) of Surya Namaskar was a non-denominational expression and had a holistic philosophy behind it by way of bowing before the sun in respect.
“Apparently, it is a cardiovascular workout to stay fit but it also leads to inner peace which is the key to global peace” she pointed out.
“Tomorrow I have arranged for a special session for Surya Namaskar in Islamabad hoping and praying for peace between two nations, “ said Sumaira.
She informed that other groups in Islamabad had also arranged for Yoga sessions at Bani Gala, an upscale neighbourhood, to mark the occasion.
Notably, a predominant conservative Pakistani society has opened up to the benefits of Yoga with various functions scheduled for the International Yoga Day across the nation.
While talking about the growing trend of yoga among youth and housewives, Amritsar based housewife turned Yoga teacher, Rashmi Luhtra said that she had observed yoga as the biggest fitness trend among people of all age groups especially homemakers and youth. Rashmi who has planned a special yoga session to mark the International Yoga Day said a large number of women fitness enthusiasts who used to go to the gym for various exercises were now opting for yoga asana’s since it was the best remedy to burst daily stress arising from professional or household chores.
Meanwhile deputy commissioner Kamaldeep Singh Sangha informed that the district level function would be held at Guru Nanak Stadium where hundreds of people would do Yoga under the guidance of five expert Yoga teachers.