Motivated: Yoga is becoming popular among Vietnamese. On June 21, about 500 people will perform yoga to celebrate International Yoga Day. — VNS Photo

HA NOI (VNS) — A record number of 500 people will perform yoga in Ha Noi on June 21 as they celebrate the International Day of Yoga, held in Viet Nam for the first time.

Participants will perform yoga from 8am like other participants at events throughout in the world.

The celebration will be organised at Quan Ngua Sports Palace, 30 Van Cao Street, Ha Noi and at Military Zone No 7 Stadium, 202 Hoang Van Thu Street, HCM City.

It will include a live demonstration and yoga classes conducted by professionals from India. A series of lecture demonstrations will also be held in Ha Noi leading up to this event. Entry to all events is free.

Indian Ambassador Preeti Saran said everyone was welcome to the event as participants or spectators by signing in on indembassy.com.vn/yoga.

"We have uploaded videos, photos of postures and instructions that help both advanced practicians and beginners," she said.

Last year, the United Nations General Assembly declared International Yoga Day on June 21, after a call by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address to UN General Assembly.

A total of 177 nations out of 193 member states joined the event as co-sponsors, creating a UN record. Viet Nam was one of the first countries to co-sponsor the resolution.

"As Prime Minister Modi said, yoga is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with ourselves, the world and nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help us to deal with climate change," said Ambassador Saran.

"So I invite all Vietnamese to come to the yoga day and spread a 5,000-year-old legacy from India," she said.

Saran also promised that after the event, the Indian Government would send yoga masters to Viet Nam to introduce more Vietnamese people to yoga.

Yoga is thought to be more than 5,000 years old. The word yoga means to unite. Through physical postures (asana), pranayama (breathing exercises), and meditation, the practice of yoga draws together the body, mind and spirit.

Vicky Mishra from India has been teaching yoga in Ha Noi for two years.

"In recent years, many Vietnamese have learned yoga at clubs and institutions," he said. "However, they still need motivation to practise regularly, such as instructor, partners and venues."

"Practising yoga morning and evening on an empty stomach is very good," he said. "While breathing in and out, you can take in fresh air and energy from the sun." — VNS