Delhi: International Yoga Day attracts first-timers from all walks of life | HT

Mette Ekeroth, who works at the Danish embassy, heard from her friends about their experience at the Yoga Day celebrations back home in Copenhagen. It was then she decided to participate. On Tuesday, Ekeroth was among thousands who came out to learn yoga postures at Nehru Park for the first time.

“It is great to be a part of a day that had received such overwhelming support at the United Nations. Now that I am going to stay in India for four years, I will surely try and learn yoga,” said Ekeroth, who was accompanied by two interns.

A sea of people, in white and blue T-shirts distributed by the organisers, could be seen at Nehru Park. The grand event was organised by the Art of Living and the New Delhi Municipal Council.

Like Ekeroth, many diplomats from different embassies for the time attended the function on the International Day of Yoga.

Lili, from Israel, was another first timer who is enthusiastic about continuing to practice yoga.

“I feel like my muscles and all have stretched. I had never felt like this before. I have learnt the few postures of the beginner’s level,” said Lili, as she captured the large gathering of people with her camera.

A sea of people, in white and blue T-shirts distributed by the organisers, could be seen at Nehru Park. (Arvind Yadav/HT Photo)

But not everyone was new at this annual gathering. Buregeya Etienne, who works at the Burundi embassy, participated last year as well. “Though I don’t practice yoga, it is really nice participating. Last year I had gone to Rajpath, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also performed yoga,” said Etienne.

Disabilities did not deter people from participating either.

Papu, a resident of Cheshire Home in Okhla — a home for the physically or mentally disabled, attended the event with five of his friends. “We have never been to such big yoga celebration so feels nice to be here,” said Papu.

Among the participants were also children, some of whom impressed all by performing difficult yoga postures.

“I regularly practice yoga and I think having such days help people understand the benefit of it,” said Sapna Rajput, a resident of Defence Colony.

A similar sense of enthusiasm was palpable at Lodi Garden.