Millions observe worldwide Yoga Day

New Delhi: Tens of thousands yoga enthusiasts around the world on Sunday took to mats and stretched, bent and twisted their bodies in complex postures in a symbol of universality of the ancient Indian spiritual practice as they marked the maiden International Day of Yoga.

Over a thousand people participated in dozens of events across Australia to mark the day, with Prime Minister Tony Abbott appreciating Yoga's universal appeal.

"Yoga's universal and growing popularity demonstrates its appeal to people from all the walks of life and its great potential to foster better health among individuals and populations around the world," Abbott said.

Melbourne saw over 500 people gather at the Springers Leisure Centre to kick off the day with 'Surya Namaskar' and bending and twisting their bodies in complex postures. Yoga events were also held at Sydney's popular Bondi beach and in the Australian capital Canberra.

In the UK, the day began with the main event at the bank of Thames here as hundreds gathered across cities to celebrate the ancient Indian exercise.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said in his message: "The UK is pleased to support International Yoga Day. We were one of 177 countries to vote in favour of Prime Minister Modi's proposal and we are pleased to see the enthusiasm with which it is being embraced, both in UK and around the world."

However, in Pakistan the celebrations remained confined to the premises of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, with the staff of the mission along with other foreign diplomats in the country performing 'asanas'. In China, events were organised at the prestigious Peking University and Geely University where people from different walks of life took part in the exercises. In Hong Kong, torrential rains lashing the city did not dampen the enthusiasm of people, as more than 2,000 Hong Kongers gathered at the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park to know the benefits of yoga for health and well-being and also to follow a simple Common Yoga Protocol.

About 30 Yoga and health organisations of Hong Kong supported the event as the guests together performed some simple exercises and meditation under a common Yoga Protocol, in the guidance of well-known teachers. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed his excitement at the first International Day of Yoga.