Young Cambodians hold a yoga session with an Indian

 Young Cambodians hold a yoga session with an Indian instructor at the Embassy of India. KT/Say Tola

Believed to have originated in northern India thousands of years ago, yoga has become an essential spiritual discipline practiced by millions around the globe. Cambodia, for one, never fails to remember International Day of Yoga and celebrate the enormous benefits of this ancient practice. This year the Kingdom will see bigger and better yoga events across different provinces, writes Say Tola. The United Nations had declared in December 2014 that the International Day of Yoga will be celebrated every 21st of June as a way of promoting health and well-being around the globe. After three years of successful celebrations, the Embassy of India in Phnom Penh announced yesterday that it will continue to lead the event in the kingdom. The Embassy of India said that it is in close coordination with the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport and the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia to make this year’s International Day of Yoga bigger and better for every citizen. H.E. Manika Jain, Indian Ambassador to Cambodia, said that yoga is an important factor for spiritual discipline that will eventually bring forth harmony between the mind and the body. “Yoga is not only for physical, spiritual and mental health but also for peaceful community living. Therefore, I hope there will more and more people participating in the event. Also, I am glad to share that this year we are allocating more space for massive audiences to Battambang province,” said Ms Jain, praising how the 5000-year-old northern Indian tradition has been widely accepted and recognised in the Cambodian society. Around 500 students in Phnom Penh, 400 students in Siem Reap and 250 students in Battambang and Sihanoukville will be joining the celebration, assured Ouk Diven, Deputy Director General of Sports. Undersecretary of State of the Ministry of Tourism, H.E So Visothy, meanwhile, shared how events like the International Day of Yoga and sports festivities have helped in attracting tourists to Cambodia. Last year, around 5.6 million travelers visited the kingdom, a stunning 11.8 percent increase from 2016’s tourist count. “Sport tourism has become a huge part in bringing millions of tourists to the kingdom and all over the globe. Aside from organising Olympic Games and International Marathons, the ministry is also cooperating with the Embassy of India. Yoga does not only help improve the physical health but also develops mental strength,” said Mr Visothy. Through yoga and sports, according to Mr Visothy, people will gain better and wider understanding of themselves as they also promote positive thinking. The yoga events across the four provinces will be held on different schedules, as announced by the Embassy of India. In Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville, people can join the observance of the International Day of Yoga on June 16th at the Olympic Stadium and Sokha Beach, respectively, from 7 am. Battambang will be holding the yoga session in front of the City Hall at 7 am on June 17th. In Siem Reap, the yoga event will be held on June 17th at 7 am in front of the Angkor Wat temple, which was recently announced as 2018 travelers’ choice for best landmark on TripAdvisor. All yoga events are free of charge and open to all yoga enthusiasts. Participants may register in advance to get free yoga t-shirts sponsored by Smart Axiata Co. Ltd. Registration link will be opened today.https://www.khmertimeskh.com/497308/uniting-the-mind-and-body-cambodia-prepares-for-intl-day-of-yoga/