Mysore/Mysuru: More than 2,000 yoga practitioners and exponents of all ages from across the State took part in State-level Dasara Yoga Contest organised by Yoga Dasara Sub-Committee at P. Kalingarao Mantapa in Dasara Exhibition Grounds in city yesterday.

Speaking after launching the competition, MLA T.S. Srivatsa said that Mysuru takes pride in expanding Yoga beyond the country’s borders.

Maintaining that Mysuru has earned the distinction of being the Yoga capital of the world, he said that Mysuru is the favourite place for both domestic and foreign Yoga enthusiasts to learn Yoga. Noting that he too is practising Yoga, Srivatsa said he will try to perform in next year’s Yoga Dasara.

The Yoga Dasara Sub-Committee President N. Nagesh, in his address, said that 2,000 Yoga practitioners from across the State have taken part in this year’s Dasara Yoga Competition.

Stressing that apart from maintaining physical and mental fitness, Yoga also helps in enhancing our concentration, he said that the Yoga Competition also sends out a message on various benefits of Yoga and as well as the importance of maintaining physical and mental health and body balance.

The competition was held under different age-based categories.

As many as 385 contestants took part in age group of 10-12 years, 361 in age group of 12 to 14 years, 219 in age group of 14 to 18 years, 94 in age group of 21 to 32 years, 138 in age group of 35 to 45 years, 106 in age group of 45 to 55 years, 49 in age group of 55 to 65 years and 42 in age group of above 65 years. Also, 27 contestants took part in the Physically Challenged category.

Sub-Committee Deputy Special Officer K. Ramya, Working President Nirup Wesley, Office-bearers Shilpa, Renukadevi, Prasad Nadanahalli, Nanjundaswamy, K.G. Devaraj, Mahesh and others were present.