By Owen Lee
In a radiant celebration of mindfulness and collective well-being, over a hundred participants gathered at SJK(C) Chung Tack Hall in Kg Simee, Ipoh, on Sunday, 22 June 2025, for the “Yoga for One Earth, One Health” event. Organised in conjunction with the 11th International Day of Yoga, the free community session brought together people of all ages in a shared experience of healing, reflection, and unity.
The event, organised by the Brahma Kumaris Foundation (Ipoh Branch) with support from the High Commission of India in Kuala Lumpur, featured yoga sessions led by experienced instructors including Thevagi Narayanan, Jesy Chan, Steven Leong, and BK Jothi Rajah. Each offered a unique approach, from classical yoga traditions to holistic healing and rope wall therapy.
For participants like Steven Leong, the joy was not just in teaching, but in witnessing the delight and pride of those who joined:
“It was a rare opportunity for us to participate in such a program. All my students were so happy. Then especially when it went on the newspaper, everyone felt that it turned out to be such a fortune and felt so proud,” he shared.
The morning began with registration at 8.30am, followed by over two hours of yoga and wellness sessions that guided participants through gentle stretches, deep breathing, and meditative practices. The event culminated with free health screenings and consultations courtesy of CVS KL, the Malaysian Medical Association, and Melilea Organic Health, echoing the event’s emphasis on holistic health from both inside and out.
Attendee Rajeswary Nagalingam remarked on the depth of insight offered during the sessions:
“All three sessions had much to offer and a lot of substance and knowledge within. It was an eye-opener for me that people try to practise not just hatha yoga but a holistic practice combining eastern values with modern yoga. I am inspired to explore yoga again.”
Yoga, which has its roots in the Sanskrit term “yuj,” which means “to unite,” has long been acknowledged as a means of achieving both social harmony and self-realization. The interdependence of individual well-being, environmental preservation, and community collaboration was highlighted by this year’s global theme, One Earth, One Health, which was evident in Ipoh’s event.
For the organisers, the success of the event was not measured merely by attendance but by the spirit of collaboration it embodied. In a heartfelt reflection, the Brahma Kumaris Foundation (Ipoh Branch) shared:
“To be able to come together to benefit the community and create a beautiful atmosphere of peace and cooperation along the way is much needed in today’s world. All our volunteers, supporters, collaborators and sponsors collectively made it a successful and wholesome event. We are thankful to the One above plus all the angels that came forward. We look forward to doing it again next year.”
In conclusion, beyond the poses and breathing exercises, the event did, in fact, serve as a reminder to the community that unification of body, mind, and society is the first step towards wellbeing. What was left when mats were rolled up and goodie bags were gathered was a lingering sense of peace and a renewed resolve to take care of oneself and the environment.
