Hundreds of Port Moresby city residents joined the rest of the world in white during the Niupela Pasin Walk and Yoga for Life, and celebrated the International Day of Yoga today (Sunday) in the city.
The walk is part of the two-day health and fitness activities lined up in its honour.
Led by NCD Governor Hon. Powes Parkop with UNDP’s deputy resident representative Edward Vrkic, students, athletes, expatriates, regular participants and others converged at Murray Barracks as early as 4:00am for the walk to Era Kone.
The theme for 2021 United Nations-sanctioned International Day of Yoga is Peace and Harmony.
PNG Kumuls star Stargroth Amean was amongst young students and others who testified on how the practice of yoga helped them overcome health, learning, fitness and mental challenges in life.
Speaking at the end of the program, Amean said his practice of Yoga played a huge part in his success on-field and off.
Governor Parkop said the platform of yoga should be amplified in communities around the city and the entire country to address violence, lawlessness and health problems.
He expressed a grave concern that these problems are major impediments to the city and country’s progress.
“The fact in this country is our people are very prone to violence, anger, jealousy, envy and hatred. We do not have the mental balance to overcome it. This is a big challenge in developing and advancing our country. We have to get the balance right through embracing peace and harmony,” he said in honour of the World Yoga Day.
He drew attention to the poor physical form our leaders are in, saying if one cannot look after his or her own life, how can they do it for the common good?
Sharing similar sentiments, Mr Vrkic said thousands of people around the world practise Yoga every day and Port Moresby is no exception.
He emphasised that practice of Yoga encourages people to be peaceful and kind.
Active City Development Programme founder Ms Fazilah Bazari said even though yoga has lots of health benefits, in PNG the emphasis is on how yoga can also be successfully used to promote behaviour and mindset change.
“Many women, men and youth have testified to it,” she said.