The pandemic has taken away a lot of things we love. But organizers wouldn’t let it take their yogathon.
The Health for Humanity Yogathon runs through Jan. 31. In-person yoga has been replaced by Zoom sessions, but it’s still bringing people together and exposing more people to yoga’s benefits.
“It’s even more important than ever to address the additional need of mental and physical well-being that the pandemic has brought upon us,” said Avani Rai, a youth volunteer with the Bloomington-Normal chapter of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, a service-oriented community group. “We wanted to ensure we could continue the yogathon however we could.”
The yogathon has been running for over 10 years; last year organizers brought yoga workshops into local schools. Similar 16-day yogathons happen all over the country.
New faces are welcome to join daily sessions from 6-6:30 p.m. The grand finale is Jan. 31, with guest speakers and an overview of the different types of yoga. (The yogathon primarily leans on Surya Namaskar, a practice that integrates simple yoga postures in 10-steps that, along with easy breathing technique, can provide health benefits to the body and mind.)
“Yoga has been able to calm my mind during anxious times, with school or with life in general,” said Divya Bhookya, another youth volunteer helping coordinate the yogathon. “Being able to wake up in the morning and connecting my body and my spiritual mind together, I’ve been a lot more calm. I’ve been able to make better decisions and improve my physical health.”
Learn more at the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh Facebook page.
There's no subscription fee to listen or read our stories. Everyone can access this essential public service thanks to community support. Donate now, and help fund your public media.
