SEOUL, April 07 (AJP) - The latest global trend to land in a traditional Korean setting — after BTS turned Gwanghwamun into a stage — is yoga.
I had imagined something serene: quiet breathing, sun-drenched calm, flowers in bloom, and that cinematic kind of spring healing. So I signed up for an outdoor yoga session at Namsangol Hanok Village in downtown Seoul on Tuesday morning.
Instead, I got windburn.
A stubborn cold snap had dragged temperatures close to freezing, and a sharp gust cut through the courtyard, slapping faces and seeping straight through the mat. Within minutes, my fingers were stiff, my shoulders tense, and my optimism fading.
Turnout reflected the weather. Only about 30 people showed up for “Seoul Yoga Connect 2026,” an annual event hosted by the Indian Embassy’s Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) ahead of the International Day of Yoga on June 21.
Still, we began.
I wobbled into a cross-legged pose, palms facing upward on my knees, softly chanting “ah” to mark the start. The idea was calm. The reality was trying not to shiver.
We leaned forward to stretch our backs and hamstrings, then stood to sway side to side, loosening stiff bodies under the pale morning sun.
Lying flat on my back was the real test — the cold from the ground hit instantly.
We moved through poses: bending legs, lifting hips toward the sky, then curling up to hold both legs while raising the chest. The instructor’s voice stayed calm and measured. My internal dialogue did not.
The session, which began at 10:30 a.m., followed brief opening remarks and rolled into three consecutive classes led by instructors from SVCC, Viveka Yoga and the Korea Yoga Association.
Gradually, something shifted.
Breathing steadied. The wind, while still biting, felt less intrusive. Some participants closed their eyes as sunlight filled the courtyard, settling into a rhythm that seemed to ignore the temperature altogether.
“Yoga is beneficial not only physically, but also mentally, spiritually and emotionally,” said Ashish Singh, an SVCC instructor. “It is not limited to posture or physical exercise. Yoga is a journey toward self-realization.”
He explained that the focus on breathing helps guide participants toward a meditative state — the ultimate goal.
For some, that journey has been long underway.
“It has been almost 20 years since I started yoga,” said Moon Yeon-kyung, 62, who attends classes at the Indian Cultural Centre. “It is not just exercise. Yoga is special because it trains both the body and the mind.”
“It has helped loosen tight muscles and clear my mind,” she added.
By the end, I was still cold — but oddly refreshed.
The United Nations adopted the International Day of Yoga in 2015 to recognize its benefits for physical and mental well-being. Since then, it has been marked worldwide with mass sessions and cultural programs.
In South Korea, this year’s celebrations will begin on Jeju Island on June 7, followed by Busan on June 13 and Chuncheon on June 27.
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