Latest news with #yogis
Mail & Guardian
24-06-2025
- General
- Mail & Guardian
India's ancient art of yoga captures Durban
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli likened yoga to the African spirit of Ubuntu (human kindness), as he championed the United Nations' International Day of Yoga — now firmly rooted in Durban as its official host city. (Marlan Padayachee) The International Day of Yoga was born from an address by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the UN General Assembly in 2014. Within three months, on 11 December that year, 193 member states and 173 co-sponsor countries voted unanimously to enshrine 21 June as a global day to honour the ancient Indian discipline of yoga. Eleven years on, the vibrant city of Durban — framed by its Indian Ocean shoreline and legacy of civilisational convergence — hosted South Africa's official yoga day celebration on Saturday, 21 June 2025. A record turnout of more than 4 000 participants — 1 000 more than the 10 th edition in 2024 — painted a sea of serenity of men, women and children of culturally-diverse yogis and keep-fit enthusiasts, prompting the keynote speaker and chief guest, KZN's Premier Thami Ntuli to declare: 'These huge crowds of participants augurs well for the future of yoga as India's gift to us. Yoga has become the new spirit of ubuntu for all our communities.' The Durban Amphitheatre, typically a weekend haunt for joggers and walkers, was transformed into a vibrant tapestry of yogis and enthusiasts paying homage to an art that had journeyed from Himalayan caves to nearly every corner of the globe. Yoga's roots stretch back over 5 000 years, derived from the Sanskrit word yuj, meaning 'to unite'. It was a practice designed to synchronise body, mind and spirit — a concept that had begun to resonate globally across geographies, generations and social strata. This global renaissance owed much to a constellation of modern Hindu spiritual leaders — not the ancient sages, but contemporary visionaries who globalised the discipline. Swami Vivekananda first introduced Raja Yoga to the West at the 1893 Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago in the US. Later, Sri T Krishnamacharya, hailed as the 'Father of Modern Yoga', choreographed yoga's evolution into the accessible, postural discipline practised today. In South Africa, Swami Sivananda's Divine Life Society, founded in Durban, played a unique role — not only in propagating Hatha Yoga but in uplifting black communities during apartheid's darkest decades. Carrying this legacy forward was Prince Ishwar Ramlutchman Mabheka Zulu — philanthropist, cultural activist and adopted son of the late Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuZulu. Through his Sivananda World Peace Foundation, Ramlutchman championed yoga as a tool for peace-building, wellness and social cohesion. As a protege of Swami Sahajananda, Ramlutchman emerged as a key figure in yoga's African journey. Under his leadership, the yoga day celebration grew from a modest gathering to a 4 000-strong annual spectacle, making it one of Durban's most anticipated cultural highlights. This year's celebration unfolded just weeks after the city successfully hosted the Africa Travel Indaba, a four-day trade and tourism showcase that attracted over 9 000 delegates and injected more than R500 million into Durban's economy. Durban Tourism's Winile Mntungwa noted that the indaba had generated R226 million in direct economic impacts. Phindile Makwakwa, COO of Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, credited the province's rich cultural mosaic for positioning it as a premier destination. Lindiwe Rakharebe, CEO of the Durban ICC, added that hotel occupancies had exceeded 80%, signalling a 'promising rebound'. Amid this climate of renewal and optimism, Ramlutchman affirmed that yoga's stronghold in Durban was no accident. 'This city, with its cross-cultural DNA and demographic diversity, is the ideal ambassador for yoga's universal message of unity in diversity,' he remarked in an address to attendees. Among the dignitaries present were city councillor Bheki Mngwengwe, who echoed eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba's gratitude for the choice of the city for the annual showpiece and a constellation of political, cultural and diplomatic leaders — affirming that yoga had transcended its sacred roots to become a unifying civic tradition. Premier Ntuli, delivering the keynote address for the second consecutive year, described yoga as a 'transformative force that fosters inner peace and social harmony'. He commended Ramlutchman and the foundation for extending yoga's reach into rural and historically underserved communities. KZN legislative speaker Ntobeko Boyce echoed this sentiment, saying: 'Yoga reminds us that healing begins within. The International Day of Yoga has become a cornerstone of our provincial calendar.' Messages of support poured in from across the leadership spectrum. In a heartfelt note, Zulu monarch King Misuzulu kaZwelithini acknowledged the foundation's enduring contribution to the well-being of his people. 'Yoga will bring change to the lives of my people by fostering awareness, focus and wellness,' he wrote. South Africa's Ministry of Health also weighed in, endorsing yoga as an invaluable tool for public health. 'Yoga aligns with our mission to improve public health, reduce stress and encourage healthy living,' the ministry noted in a statement. 'It addresses both modern illnesses and emotional burdens.' Veteran MP Poobalan Les Govender, IFP deputy chair of the National Council of Provinces, described yoga as 'a discipline for self-discovery, growth and resilience', with the power to build inclusive communities grounded in emotional well-being. Professor Anil Sooklal, South Africa's newly appointed High Commissioner to India, Bangladesh and Nepal, praised Durban's role in advancing cultural diplomacy. 'This celebration is a milestone in South Africa-India cultural and people-to-people cooperation,' he said from New Delhi. Indeed, yoga's South African story is one of revival, resilience and reinvention — from the spiritual foothills of Rishikesh to the coastal breezes of eThekwini. As Durban hosted thousands beneath its crisp winter sun, the 2025 International Day of Yoga stood once again as a living reminder that in unity, there is healing, and in stillness, there is strength. Yoga – India's timeless gift to the world — continues to inspire health, harmony and higher consciousness in a fast-paced post-modern era . 'This year also marks the global unveiling of the Sivananda International initiative — a call to humanity to embrace yoga not as a trend, but as a timeless truth. Yoga is not merely a physical workout; it is a sacred way of life. In a world often consumed by noise and chaos, yoga grants us the rarest of gifts: inner stillness, clarity and peace,' said Ramlutchman. 'With nearly 200 million practitioners worldwide — from every nation, every race and every faith — yoga has become a universal language of well-being. Over 20 million people in the United States alone have embraced this tradition, yet its soul resides in its birthplace, India — and it belongs to the world. 'As South Africans, as global citizens, let us walk together on this noble path. Let us build communities rooted in peace, humility, health and spiritual devotion. Let us foster a world where creed and colour no longer divide us, but unite us in shared breath and common purpose. 'Let this International Day of Yoga be a beacon — a glorious opening for humanity to rediscover the power of oneness. When the world moves as one, there is no conflict, no injustice and no disparity — only unity in diversity,' Ramlutchman said. 'It was a beautiful scene of a sea of people,' he reminisced, adding: 'Children, youth and elders practiced side by side. Healthcare workers, township-based wellness advocates, diplomats and yoga teachers moved to the same breath — and symbolised unity in diversity, echoing the values of our Constitution and our rainbow nation.' Marlan Padayachee is a seasoned former political, foreign and diplomatic correspondent in the transition from apartheid to democracy and is a freelance journalist, photographer and researcher.
Telegraph
10-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Telegraph
The 10 best yoga poses for beginners
While yoga's origins can be traced back thousands of years, with its roots believed to lie in the Vedic period in ancient India, in the last 20 years it's become a go-to workout for fitness fanatics. But not all yoga is equal, with ever more weird and wonderful forms (including hot, cold, with beer and even goats) popping up across studios and town halls across Britain. It has transformed from being a workout you might do once a week wearing slouchy tracksuit bottoms to an exemplary physical and spiritual ideal (preferably dressed head-to-toe in the latest yogi gear and sipping on a dairy-free, gluten-free, high-protein, pumpkin-seed smoothie). For many, yoga is a lifestyle, not just a form of exercise. Both yoga and meditation can reduce stress, improve brain functions and give you a break from your daily routine. For beginners, a gut feeling of inner anti-calm is something of a rite of passage – an experience that you have to push through before reaching the promised land of yogic nirvana. And whether or not you get there, the stretches are certainly a good form of exercise – one we can all benefit from, meditation or not. Here, then, are 10 easy(ish) poses for you to get started with. Skip to: Best yoga poses for beginners 1. Child's pose The go-to movement for whenever the class becomes a bit too much and you need a rest. Kneeling down, with your knees about hip-width apart, make sure your big toes are touching. As you exhale, lower your buttocks toward your heels and rest your torso on – or between – your thighs. Reach your hands out in front, placing your forearms flat on the ground, and let your forehead rest gently on the mat. 2. Warrior 1 Starting with your right leg forward, step your back foot towards the back of the mat, creating a long stance. Bend your right leg so that your knee is in front of your ankle, but not over your toes. Extend and lengthen your arms upward. Try to angle your hips towards the front and keep both feet facing in the same direction. 3. Downward dog One of the most recognisable yoga poses. Start on your hands and knees, with your hands hip-width apart and your knees under your hips. Press into your palms and raise your knees off the ground. Lift your hips up and back, working to lengthen your spine. Exhale and try to straighten your legs as much as you can, keeping your head tucked under. Don't forget, your heels do not have to be flat on the ground. 4. Triangle pose Step your left foot back and angle out to 90 degrees. Your front heel should be in line with the arch of your back foot. Inhale and raise your arms out to the sides, shoulder height. Exhale and reach your left arm to the left, lengthening your torso directly over the left leg as you move your hips to the right. Rest your left hand on your shin and stretch your right arm toward the ceiling, in line with the tops of your shoulders. Turn your torso up towards the ceiling. Turn your head to gaze up at your right hand. Hold, then try the other side. 5. Cobra Perfect for beginners, lie flat on your belly and place your hands under your shoulders, keeping your elbows close to your torso. Draw your stomach up away from the mat and begin to straighten the arms to lift your head and chest forward and up off the floor. Widen the chest and hold before exhaling and lowering yourself back onto the floor. 6. Warrior 2 Similar to Warrior 1, step your left foot towards the back of the mat and angle at 90 degrees. Press down through the pinky toe edge of your back foot to avoid collapsing. Extend your arms out, raising them parallel to the floor with your palms facing down. Hold your gaze just over the middle finger of your right hand and relax your shoulders down and away from your ears. Remember to bend your right knee, stacking it in front of your right ankle, but behind your toes. 7. Chair pose Standing up straight with your arms at your side and your feet together, inhale and lift your arms over your head, with your palms facing each other. Exhale and bend your knees and lower your hips backwards as if you're sitting on an invisible chair. Squeeze your inner thighs together and drop your tailbone towards your heels. 8. Tree pose One to test your balance. With your feet together, slowly raise your left leg and place the sole of the left foot to either the inner thigh or shin of the right leg. Avoid placing your foot near your opposite knee. Press your foot against the opposite leg and bring your palms together at your chest. If you're feeling strong, try raising your arms above your head, then try the other side. 9. Half forward fold Begin in a standing forward fold (Uttanasana), with your feet separated hip-distance apart and your knees bent as much as you need. Inhale and lift your torso up halfway to find a flat back, and either place your fingertips on either side of your feet or your palms on your shins. Straighten your arms and lift your torso away from your thighs. Send your gaze slightly forward to lengthen the back of your neck. 10. Bridge Lie on your back, bend your knees and set your feet flat on the floor, with your heels close to your torso. Place your arms alongside your hips, palms down. Pressing your feet and palms into the floor, lift your hips up. Lift your buttocks until the thighs are parallel to the floor. Use your legs to support you. What type of yoga should you do? 1. Iyengar Iyengar classes take a methodical approach to mastering yoga postures. 'Classes include thorough demonstrations, a focus on proper alignment and the use of props to help you deepen your understanding of each posture and help with form,' explains Triyoga yoga manager Genny Wilkinson Priest. Purported benefits include developing strength and flexibility, helping with postural problems, and easing stress. Good for: Beginners and those who like precision in their practice 2. Ashtanga 'A dynamic, breath-led practice, ashtanga follows a set series of poses,' explains head of yoga at FLY LDN Fi Clark. Think the likes of forward folds, shoulder stands and plenty of sun salutations. 'It's suitable from beginners up and comprises six series that increase in difficulty. Each series should be mastered before embarking on the next,' explains Clark. The benefits? 'Ashtanga is good for building strength, flexibility, agility and mental focus.' Good for: Those who like the structure and discipline of a set routine 3. Vinyasa flow 'This form of yoga bares similarities to Ashtanga but incorporates more of a creative element to the sequences, allowing more freedom to be taught with different transitions and modifications,' says Clark. Often classes begin and end with a set of Ashtanga postures, with a more creative, flowing middle section where the teacher mixes it up, she explains. Many vinyasa classes are fast moving, so expect to get your sweat on. Good for: People who like variety – expect the unexpected 4. Jivamukti With A-list models singing its praises, this form of yoga is seriously on-trend. But it's not all about posturing and posing. 'Jivamukti classes combine the physical, psychological and spiritual aspects of yoga,' says Wilkinson Priest. 'Classes include vigorous asana [posture] practice, supported by Sanskrit chanting, music, readings and references to philosophical texts.' Good for: Those who want to experience the full 360-degree yogic package – not just a workout 5. Yin Think slow. 'Yin involves holding seated and lying down postures between two to five minutes,' explains Clark. If that seems a long old time don't be put off – it's all about simple, passive poses. 'Yin roots itself in ancient practices linked to Chinese medicine. It's believed we have thousands of meridians, or energy conduits, flowing through the body. If there are blockages, the body can't function properly. Yin serves to clear those blockages,' explains Clark. Good for: Rebalancing the body and releasing tightness 6. Hot yoga As the name suggests, this is performed in a very warm, humid studio. There are multiple different kinds, the most well-known being Bikram. 'Our Triyoga hot yoga classes follow a set sequence of postures designed to increase circulation, flexibility and strength,' says Wilkinson Priest. 'The 36-38 degrees celsius heat penetrates the body deeply and warms muscles, while the increased blood flow makes them more pliable and 'stretchy'.' Good for: Yoga fans who want to take it to the next level Five things every yoga beginner needs to know 1. Leave your ego at the door Yoga is not a competition. It's not about who can stretch the furthest or the most complicated moves on your yoga mat. Practice self-compassion, and don't compare yourself with others in the class. 2. You're allowed to be bored One of the meditation activities I've tried was to stare at a lit candle and allow the image of the flame to occupy my mind (also known as trataka). Afterwards, our instructor asked us how we felt – it's supposed to help you find inner peace – but I just felt bored. This is fine and part of meditation. Strive for mental stillness. 3. Eat at least two hours before exercising Don't eat and flow. Just like any other form of exercise, make sure you leave two hours before eating. No one likes to feel their dinner swishing around, especially if you're going to be holding downward dog for any length of time. 4. You may break wind Don't be ashamed, it happens. If you need to commiserate, just search #yogafarts on Twitter. Worth noting: it seems to be some sort of unspoken rule of yoga that when you fart (or indeed, hear others) you shouldn't do – or say – anything. 5. Check your leggings aren't see-through You want a pair that is practical, comfortable and not see-through - get a friend to be honest while you try downward dog. If you're wearing shiny new leggings, you might want to invest in some liquid chalk for your feet, otherwise balancing your foot onto your opposite leg might be a bit of a slippery challenge. FAQs Does yoga reduce belly fat? 'Yoga can not specifically target belly fat but, like any exercise, it can help towards losing weight,' says yoga teacher and wellness writer Mel Hancill. She particularly recommends more dynamic styles such as vinyasa or hot yoga if weight loss is intended. Can a beginner do yoga every day? Absolutely. 'Practising yoga doesn't always have to mean doing a full 60-minute class,' says Hancill. 'It can be a gentle stretch at the end of the day or 10 minutes of mindful breathing. Incorporating yoga into your day, in whatever form it may take, will have a positive impact on physical and mental wellbeing.' Is it safe for beginners to learn yoga at home? Yes. 'There are many beginner classes and courses available online and as long as you are careful not to push yourself too far (listen to your body!), yoga is perfectly safe to learn at home,' Hancill adds. Though if you are wanting to learn advanced poses, such as shoulder or head stand, she'd advise going to an in-person class and building up to these slowly with an instructor.
