Kalina was among some 100 competitors from 15 different countries taking part in the Mallakhamb World Championships in Mumbai over the weekend. Thousands join India’s Modi for world yoga celebration; some wear masksThe sport, first mentioned in Indian texts in 1135, is popular in western Maharashtra state — of which Mumbai is the capital — but is little known outside India. “Malla means wrestler and khamb means pole,” explains Uday Deshpande, the organiser of the event and India’s most renowned Mallakhamb practitioner. “When you perform yoga on the ground you get lots of benefits — meditation, breathing, concentration. “”you perform yoga at eight feet high you get the same benefits but you also develop your confidence, your courage,” he tells AFP.

Source: The Express Tribune February 17, 2019 07:31 UTC