Thousands of people packed an outdoor amphitheatre in Cloverdale to see, hear and breathe along with Swami Ramdev Maharaj, whose brand of yoga has made him hugely popular around the world.
Participants of the five day 'yoga camp' paid up to $500 to sit closest to the stage for early morning sessions conducted by Ramdev from Wednesday to Sunday (July 30 to August 3).
In a light drizzle Friday, nearly 3,000 people sat on yoga mats as the Indian swami, wearing an orange robe, and two assistants faced them sitting cross legged under cover of the Millennium Amphitheatre stage. In rock concert style in a gated area, two large video screens flanked the stage as shivir (camp) participants watched and copied Ramdev's yoga breathing exercises, called pranayam.
It was all a 'very special' experience for Gulshan Esmail, who travelled from the Northwest Territories to be in the swami's presence. 'I've seen him on TV and I wanted to see it and learn it with him here,' she said. 'It's powerful to me, being here."'
Like several other participants interviewed by the Now at the yoga camp, Esmail said the swami's breathing exercises helped make her a healthier person.
Roger Dhir, a Burnaby realtor and one of the event organizers, said the pranayam breathing helped him fight his diabetes. 'I don't take any pills for that anymore, after doing this yoga,' he said.
'Some people here, they have given testimony that they've lost four, five pounds during one (yoga) session, It's crazy.'
His appearance in Cloverdale was Ramdev's first in B.C. following 'tour' stops in Houston, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. in July. 'I saw him in Toronto,' said Dhir, 'and then we begged him to come here to Vancouver, Surrey. We're lucky he agreed to come over here.'
Passes for the yoga camp sold for $100, $300 and $500.
In this digital age, Ramdev has built a significant, almost cult-like following through television appearances and a website that sells DVDs, books and audio cassettes.
'In India,' said Dhir, 'there can be a line two miles long of people hoping to see him.'
At times in his career Ramdev has dodged controversy, most notably that he's a Hindu evangelist promoting a religious agenda.
Nonsense, said Dhir.
'He does not preach any religion, he teaches (people) how to breathe better and how to exercise the inner organs in your tummy.'
Some local politicians took part in Ramdev's camp, including Newton North Delta MP Sukh Dhaliwal, Surrey Tynehead MLA Dave Hayer and Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts.
In Cloverdale, camp participants clapped at times as Ramdev spoke in Hindi mixed with bits of English (the words 'without medication,' 'DVD' and 'lifestyle change' could be heard). A few speakers at a microphone were cheered as they told personal stories of weight loss and improved health due to yoga.
Following the session, a few dozen participants, men, women and children, pressed close to the stage to take photographs of Ramdev and, as he walked down from the stage to a waiting black BMW, gathered around to offer their prayers and touch his feet.
'I'm very happy with the number of people who are here,' Ramdev told the Now through an interpreter. 'It's very excellent here, that people enjoy the yoga.'
By Tom Zillich
THE LATEST YOGA NEWS, FROM IT IS YOGA
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