Hundreds of yogis and newcomers gather to celebrate International Yoga Day at Geraldton community event

Hundreds of yoga enthusiasts in Geraldton gathered to celebrate International Yoga Day at a community event last month that showcased how inclusive, accessible and beneficial the practice can be. Organised for the fifth year by the Geraldton Yoga Club and Midwest Indian Cultural Society and supported by the City of Greater Geraldton and Consulate General of India in Perth, the free event attracted a crowd of about 200 yoga fans and curious newcomers, including locals and visitors, to the QEII Community Centre. Geraldton MLA Kirrilee Warr and City of Greater Geraldton deputy mayor Natasha Colliver were part of the opening ceremony and joined in the activities. The series of practical sessions and demonstrations were led by some of Geraldton’s most experienced yoga teachers, with participants invited to try a wide variety of yoga styles, including Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin, Somatic, and Chair Yoga, as well as breath work, chanting and meditation. Geraldton Yoga Club president Julie Myers said the aim of the community event was to make yoga more accessible with something to suit everyone as well as highlight its physical, mental, and emotional wellness benefits. “International Yoga Day is a multicultural celebration of yoga bringing people together through movement, mindfulness, and community,” she said. “We aim to create a space where everyone feels welcome to experience yoga, no matter their age, ability, if they are brand new to yoga or an experienced yogi.” After a closing meditation and calming sound experience, the crowd were treated to energetic classical and Bollywood dance performances from the Natya Indian Dance School. The Midwest Indian Cultural Society donated and prepared Annadhanam — a Hindu tradition of offering food as a sacred act of charity and service, which concluded the event. Local participant Crystal Murray said the whole experience was “beautiful”. “Our Geraldton community is so lucky to have the Geraldton Yoga Club teachers who volunteer their time and knowledge to deliver this event and champion our inner wellbeing, mental health and spiritual growth,” she said. The club provides free community yoga classes suitable for all levels on Wednesdays at 5.30pm and Saturdays at 8am at the QEII Centre in winter and outdoors at Stow Gardens during summer.