International Yoga Day made its debut in 2015 as a UN backed initiative and is supported by over 170 member states. As people across the globe are practicing their shavasana and downward dog, Guinness World Records is celebrating with a round up of the top ten world record achievements related to the popular physical and spiritual exercise...
1. Largest yoga lesson
Last year’s Yoga Day celebrations saw India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading thousands in a spectacular mass participation attempt for the titles largest yoga lesson and the most nationalities in a yoga lesson. A staggering 35,985 people took part.
Speaking after the lesson, the Prime Minister said: “We are not only celebrating a day, but we are training the human mind to begin a new era of peace and harmony.”
2. Most consecutive yoga positions on a motorcycle
The most consecutive yoga positions on a motorcycle is 50 and was achieved by Hav Ramesh (India), in Jabalpur, India, on 21 December 2013. Hav covered a total distance of 5 km (3.1 miles) and included 10 reverse positions in his spectacular routine.
3. Oldest yoga teacher
The oldest registered yoga teacher is Ida Herbert (Canada, b. 21 August 1916), who remains an active instructor at the age of 95 years 270 days (as of 16 May 2012).
Ida retired from a 20-year full-time career teaching yoga at the YMCA in Orillia, Ontario, Canada, but continues to teach a weekly class in the Bayshore Village area of Ontario.
She says that the secret to long life is avoiding junk food and enjoying gardening, a glass of sherry after lunch and flirting!
Check out this classic video of previous record holder Bernice Mary Bates, who earned the title at the age of 91:
4. Largest dog yoga class
Taking the 'downward dog' pose to a whole new level, 270 participants recently got involved with the largest dog yoga class. The lesson was arranged by Link Asset Management Limited (Hong Kong) in Stanley Plaza, Hong Kong, China in January this year.
The puppy-loving event planners also successfully earned records for the largest dog grooming lesson in 2013 and the most dogs balancing a treat on the nose in 2014.
5. Longest yoga marathon (female)
During a 32-hr marathon, Yasmin Fudakowska-Gow (CAN) completed 1,008 yoga positions at Om West Centre Holistique in Quebec, Canada, on 2–3 Aug 2010.
The longest yoga marathon by a man lasted 50 hours and 15 minutes and was achieved by Uttam Muktan (Nepal), in Kathmandu, Nepal, from 17 to 19 December 2015.
6. Largest facial yoga class
The largest facial yoga class involved 1,661 participants and was organised by Being Women (India), in Hyderabad, Telangana, India, on 11 October 2015.
The record attempt took place at People's Plaza in Hyderabad. There were over 3,000 people present at the record attempt and participants ranged in age from 8 o 93.
7. Longest yoga chain
3849 students of the Kshatriya Vidhyasala Managing Board (India) created a giant yoga chain in Tamil Nadu, India, on 14 November 2014.
The length of the chain measured a staggering 3852 metres.
8. Largest laughter yoga class
The largest laughter yoga class included an amazing 1,028 smiling participants and was achieved by Sky Post and Mannings (both Hong Kong) at KITEC in Hong Kong, China on 18 September 2015.
9. Largest prenatal yoga class
An incredible 913 expectant mothers took part in a the largest prenatal yoga class in Hefei, Anhui, China on 5 June this year. The record-breaking event was organised by Dr. Phoenixsun maternity Hospital (China).
10. Most people doing yoga in pairs
The most people doing yoga in pairs is 522 people and was achieved by Guangzhou Baiyunshan Zhongyi Pharmaceutical Company Ltd. (China) in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China on 28 November 2015.
The participants were local yoga fanatics and they achieved the record with their second attempt.
