Venkat Raman
Auckland, August 5, 2022
International Yoga expert Ankita Sood has announced weekly free Yoga sessions for August 2022 at the newly opened Indian High Commission at 72 Pipitea Street Wellington.
Ms Sood, who joined the Indian Mission as Culture and Yoga Associate in June 2022 will hold these sessions from Tuesday to Saturday this month.
The session on Tuesdays will be on Energising Yoga Morning Before Work from 7.30 am to 8.30 am. On Wednesdays, she will conduct Yoga for Women from 10.30 am to 11.30 am. Yoga with Props (special blocks and straps to support Yoga postures) will be held on Wednesdays from 5.15 pm to 6.15 pm and on Thursdays from 7.30 am to 8.30 am.
The Morning session on Fridays (from 10.30 am to 11.30 am) will be exclusively for women, while the evening session (from 5.15 pm to 6.15 pm) will be on Stress Management.
Saturday mornings (10 am to 11 am) will be devoted to diplomats, while the evening session (from 4.30 pm to 5.30 pm) will be for children.
In addition, Ms Sood will present Talk series on Yoga and its Philosophy and conduct Indian Culture Workshops and Yoga Sessions and Workshops at Schools, Universities and corporate officers at other venues. Requests for these complimentary sessions should be made to her by email: cul.wellington@mea.gov.in
About Yoga
Yoga is one of the most widely practised disciplines worldwide and according to the Yoga Journal, this industry was valued at US$ 88 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach a staggering US$ 215 billion in 2025.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi started the Global Yoga Movement when he suggested to the United Nations at the Annual General Assembly held on September 27, 2014, to promote Yoga. The world body designated June 21 as International Yoga Day in 2015.
Ban Ki-moon, the then Secretary General of the UN, described Yoga as “An ancient discipline from a traditional setting that has grown in popularity to be enjoyed by practitioners in every region. Yoga offers a simple, accessible and inclusive means to promote physical and spiritual health and well-being. It promotes respect for one’s fellow human beings and for the planet we share. Yoga does not discriminate; to varying degrees, all people can practice, regardless of their relative strength, age or ability,” he said in a statement.
Mr Ban Ki-moon said that he discovered the value of Yoga while doing his first asana, a tree pose suited to beginners.
“It took a moment for me to gain my balance but once I did, I appreciated the simple sense of satisfaction that Yoga can bring. On this first-ever International Day of Yoga, let us see the benefits of this practice in terms of individual well-being as well as our collective efforts to improve public health, promote peaceful relations and usher in a life of dignity for all,” he said.
Labour MP Dr Gaurav Sharma, the then Indian High Commissioner Muktesh Pardeshi and others at the International Yoga Day held in Parliament Buildings on June 21, 2022 (Facebook Photo)
Hindus believe that Yoga is Divine attribute it Dakshinamurthy, an aspect of Lord Shiva.
This aspect of the Lord is revered as the Guru of all types of knowledge. Hindu scriptures say that if a person does not have a guru, they can consider and worship Dakshinamurthy as their Guru.
About Ankita Sood
Highly qualified in Yoga, including a Doctorate (PhD) from the University of Mumbai, Ankita Sood has an impressive professional record. She worked as a Yoga Consultant at Indian Oil Corporation Limited and Monsanto Company at the start of her career. She topped the Yoga Professional Exam conducted by the Ministry of Ayush of the Indian government and represented her country at the International Yoga Festival held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in June 2016. Thereafter, she served as a Yoga and Indian Culture Teacher at the Indian Embassy in Budapest, Hungary from November 2017 to 2012 and later at the Indian embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
She started her own practice called Anita Sood Yoga, before arriving in Wellington and conducting the International Day of Yoga on June 21, 2022, for the first time in Parliament Building.
Her other qualifications with distinction (First Rank) are from the Institute of Naturopathy and Yogic Science and Teacher’s Training in Yoga and Certified Intensive Power Yoga Trainer.
Her specialisations are Weight Loss and Inch Loss, Stress Management, Hypertension/Cardiac, Acupressure and Healing Therapies, Ashtanga Vinyasa Flow, Intensive Hatha Yoga, Prop & Face Yoga, Core Muscle Strengthening, Pre/Post Natal Pregnancy.
As well as a Visiting faculty to the University of Mumbai, Ms Sood teaches students pursuing a Diploma and Master’s degree in Yoga and lectures at major corporates and organisations in India and other countries. She also conducted Online Wellness programmes and Webinars for national and international organisations during the Covid-19 pandemic, a resource that continues to grow and benefits individuals and institutions.
Ms Sood can be contacted on (04) 4740112 (Extension 927) or 022-0984464; Email: cul.wellington@mea.gov.in
