Girls residing here , are taking part in a special 15 day yoga camp with enthusiasm.
It was organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Yoga Federation in collaboration with the State Sports Council at the city's indoor stadium.
The camp began on November 16.
Coach and the organiser Shabir Dar said: "We are holding this special yoga camp for 15 days for children. Our department has organised it. This is the morning session and it is for girls. There are 35 and more girls from different schools and colleges who are participating in the camp. Today, we are holding separate classes for girls. Last year also we organised the camp. This year we have specially organised separately for the girls" said Dar.
Girls in particular are keen to use yoga to reduce the stigma of mental illness caused by years of unrest in the valley. They aim to prepare themselves for national and state level championships and also to become physically fit.
"This is a 15- day camp in which atleast 35girls are participating. We have played at national level and we wish to play at an even higher level. It (Yoga) helps reduce stress and also makes the body flexible. If there is any problem in the bones it gets cured. It helps us become fit. It is taught to both boys and girls here. There is no distinction," said a participant,Mehak Muzaffar.
Participants, mostly between the age group of five to eight years were seen displaying their flexibility by performing yoga postures and exercises. Earlier the parents here were reluctant to send their children, especially the girls, to such camps but a new trend is emerging as the girls are shining on every front.
Yoga is a 5,000-year-old Indian discipline of exercise, diet and meditation which involves a perfect blend of mental and physical exercise. An hour of meditation on a regular basis greatly helps to ease out and regain lost of energy.
Apart from helping one shed weight, yoga has also been known to benefit one in various ailments, including controlling blood pressure, arthritis, regulating blood sugar and even curing heart ailments.
