“Yoga means a poise of the soul which enables one to look at life in all its aspects evenly.” – Sri Aurobindo
On the 15th and 16th of July 2024, Seth M.R. Jaipuria School, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow, hosted the CISCE Regional (UP/UK) Yoga Competition 2024. Students from 11 zones—Prayagraj, Ghaziabad, Jhansi, Kanpur North, Kanpur South, Lucknow Zone A, Lucknow Zone B, Meerut, Uttarakhand, Agra, and Varanasi—gathered for this prestigious event.
The event commenced with the lighting of the lamp, followed by a soulful Ganesh Vandana performance and a musical rendition. Swami Taponidhi Ji, a renowned yogic teacher, graced the occasion as the chief guest. He began with a meditation session, where everyone chanted ‘Om.’ In his address, he highlighted how yoga helps harness the mind, guiding it to reach higher dimensions and altering one’s perspective on life. He emphasized, “Yoga possesses the transformative power to alter your perspective and perception of life.”
Our Principal, Mrs. Promini Chopra, expressed gratitude to Swami Taponidhi Ji for his presence. She encouraged students to extend the practice of yoga beyond the physical, aiming to enhance their emotional and spiritual beings. Mr. Bishwanath then briefed the participants about the competition rules, officially starting the event.
Over 300 students competed in three categories: U14, U17, and U19. The competition included rhythmic yoga, where students synchronized their movements to music; group yoga, demonstrating teamwork and coordination; and artistic yoga, showcasing intricate and creative poses with elegance and precision.
The competition was judged by Rakhi Ji, Acharya Vipin Pathik, Ruby Srivastava, Gunjan, Janmejaya, Diksha Gupta, Vinay Kumar Shrivastava, Abhishek Kumar, Aradhana, Dr. Ashutosh Gupta, Pushpa Rawat, Virendra Singh, Durgesh Kumar, Harsh Gupta, Rahul Yaduvanshi, Ms. Seema Singh, and Akanchha Singh.
Seth M.R. Jaipuria is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of both students and teachers. In alignment with this commitment, Swami Taponidhi Ji conducted two exclusive sessions on teacher well-being, introducing advanced yogic practices to help educators lead healthier lives and enrich the school community. Swami Taponidhi Ji also shared his transformative experiences, including reducing his glasses power through yoga, and engaged in a Q&A session with teachers.
On the second day, the competition featured an Om chanting contest, judged on the duration of the chant. Cultural performances entertained participants as they awaited results. Students of Seth M.R. Jaipuria School captivated the audience with their dance skills.
Swami Taponidhi Ji conducted a session with the students, discussing the benefits of yoga in academics and answering questions about incorporating yoga into their routines. He emphasized that yoga helps build better concentration and alleviate stress.
The winners were then announced. Kanpur South Zone emerged as the Overall Category winner, with Meerut Zone as the first runner-up. The Best Disciplined School award went to the Uttarakhand Zone. Prizes were awarded by Rakhi Sarkar, Yoga Instructor & Founder of the International Yoga Foundation, Swami Taponidhi Ji, and other judges and coaches.
From complex poses to synchronized movements, each performance was a testament to the dedication and hard work of both the students and their mentors. The CISCE Regional Yoga Competition 2024 at Seth M.R. Jaipuria School, Gomti Nagar, was a remarkable success, celebrating the spirit and discipline of yoga.
