On Saturday, the Beijing Ocean Yoga Festival was held at the Taipingyang Andover Under Water World. The event was organized by yoga brands Mona Yoga and Kamal Yoga.
From morning till sunset, dozens of athletes, celebrity yoga teachers, and nearly 1,000 yoga enthusiasts exercised together, exchanged ideas, and enjoyed a healthy day.
During the event, Mona Yoga pledged to make a donation of 1 yuan ($0.14) for every class its students take to marine conservation organizations. The money will be used for purposes such as marine protection and wildlife conservation.
Yoga’s Growing Popularity in China
In recent years, yoga has become increasingly popular with middle-aged and young women in first-tier cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. According to data from chinabgao.com, a company insight website, yoga is now one of the most popular sports for women in China, and the number of practitioners is increasing.
As yoga grows, yoga styles and forms of exercise are becoming more diverse. At the Beijing Ocean Yoga Festival, well-known Inside-flow Yoga teachers Qian Xiaojie and Liu Yingqing, Mona Yoga Teaching director and Ocean Yoga teacher Li Shiyu, and Electric Yoga teacher Jessica, led enthusiasts through outdoor exercises.
The Benefits of Yoga
“Yoga is not just about stretching and flexibility,” said Liu Chuo, chief planner of the event. “It also helps to develop strength, balance, and other abilities and has a particularly positive effect on rebalancing the fast-paced lifestyle of first-tier cities.”
Participants agreed. “I exercise two to three times a week to maintain my health,” said Wei Zijie. “Unlike exercising at the gym, participating in outdoor yoga activities at the weekend makes me feel more relaxed and happy.”
Yoga’s Positive Impact on the Environment
Many fitness bloggers also participated in the festival. “I saw the staff picking up garbage on the lawn, which made me feel that people who love sports not only love themselves but also love the environment and the world,” said Xiaohongshu blogger, JS Jun.
“We hope that yoga becomes part of a healthy lifestyle,” said Geng Yunfei, founder of Mona Yoga. “People who love sports also love the world more, so we have decided to donate a portion of our income to marine conservation, to create a positive impact.”
“Yoga advocates for a healthy lifestyle, but unlike other sports, yoga is not just about physical exercise,” said Wang Ying, founder and CEO of Kamal yoga. “It also connects to the philosophy of balanced living, as well as an approach to life. We organize events in the hope of accompanying yoga enthusiasts as they grow in body and mind.”
Yoga Styles and Forms of Exercise
- Hatha Yoga
- Ashtanga
- Inside-flow Yoga
- Soundwave Yoga
- Ocean Yoga
- Electric Yoga
Yoga Enthusiasts
Yoga enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels attended the Beijing Ocean Yoga Festival.
- Women aged between 20 and 40
- Middle-aged and young women
- Fitness bloggers
Credit and rights belong to OMG I Yoga
