Yoga is recognised for its benefits to physical well-being, mental health and spiritual connection. But, the Asian Yoga Sports Championship in Singapore has shed light on a lesser-known facet of the practice: its competitive dimension.
The 10th Asian Yoga Sports Championship, organised by the Yoga Sports Association Singapore under the auspices of Asian Yoga Federation of India, took place from Jan 6 to 8 at PGP Hall in Serangoon Road. The event showcased yoga as a discipline where participants were judged by professional referees on precision, alignment and grace in executing asanas (yoga poses).
The championship brought together around 150 participants from five Asian countries – Singapore, India, Vietnam, Malaysia and Hong Kong.
“Yoga is not just about sitting still and meditating. That is a misconception,” said Dr Kumareswaran Superamaniam, president of Yoga Sports Association Singapore. “While that is one aspect of it, yoga is also about performing asanas with perfection. It is all about how well you can connect with your body and the universe, and yoga competitions give people the chance to showcase that connection in a structured setting.”
Participants competed across six categories: Yogasana Sports, Artistic Solo, Artistic Pair, Rhythmic Yoga, Professional Yoga and Free Flow Yoga. Some categories were further classified into eight age groups – from eight year-olds to adults over 35.
India took home the championship trophy and they were followed in the standings by Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia.
For many competitors, yoga sports went beyond just the physical poses. Vanika Sharma, 18, for instance, said she loved the inclusion of artistic elements like rhythm and dance to make yoga more engaging.
“Competing on stage with the pressure of representing Singapore was slightly nerve-wracking but incredibly rewarding,” said Vanika, who began practicing yoga thanks to her mother, an Ayurvedic doctor.
Yoga teacher Kalaivani Krishnan, 37, said the competition has significantly boosted her confidence. “The way we perform here is very different compared to how we normally do yoga, but the competitive environment challenges me and helps me grow,” she said.
The event had its fair share of challenges, most notably in terms of funding. Dr Kumareswaran said support for yoga sports came largely from friends and personal networks, rather than official sponsorships.
“Hosting such an event in Singapore is expensive, and we’re not receiving enough support from the government or relevant institutions,” he said.
He underscored the importance of activities like yoga competitions in keeping youth engaged and active, rather than absorbed in gadgets, and expressed hope for increased local involvement.
He also voiced aspirations for yoga’s inclusion in the South-east Asian Games and eventually the Olympics.
