Planet yoga
Stories from around the weird and wonderful world of yoga
Canada: Longing for leggings
The market for yoga clothing is booming — at least it is for Canadian-based lululemon athletica, with customers still longing for its leggings. It reported in January that, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, it expects net revenues to be between $3.56 billion to $3.58 billion. That represents growth of 11% to 12% compared to a year earlier, and slightly up on previous estimates. The festive season also brought good cheer, noted Meghan Frank, lululemon athletica’s chief financial officer. “During the holiday season, our guests responded well to our product offering, enabling us to increase our fourth quarter guidance.
USA: Corporate wellness
USA: Corporate wellness Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), a leading academic medical centre focused on musculoskeletal health, is investing big in wellness after the opening of the HSS Wellness Centre, a no-cost resource available to all employees. As well as group yoga classes, the 5,400-square-foot facility offers a strengthening room, fitness classes, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and a multi-sensory recharge room. Employees also have access to warm-up and recovery equipment, a reflecting room with books and games, and private bathrooms with showers. Sounds like a great place to live, let alone work!
Saudi Arabia: By royal appointment
Saudi Arabia: By royal appointment Yoga continues to make headway in Saudi Arabia. Most recently, Princess Mashael bint Faisal Al-Saud was appointed to represent the country on the board of the Asian Yogasana Sport Federation (AYSF). She will also head the federation’s Women and Children’s Safeguarding Committee, the AYSF stated in a press release. With over 10 years of yoga practice behind her, including Hatha, Ashtanga Vinyasa, the Himalayan tradition of meditation and yoga therapy, she is a true yogi and trained with AYSF in 2021, alongside the Saudi Yoga Committee, mastering yoga federation management and Yogasana systems
UK: True Brit
The secret to living a long and happy life is daily yoga, stretching and an appreciation for the little things, according to 105-year-old Daisy Taylor of Chelmsford, who celebrated her most recent birthday at the end of last year. But the years have meant adapting the practice along the way. “I used to do yoga on the floor, but I mainly do it in my chair now," she was quoted as saying by the BBC. Longevity runs in her family. Her sister Alice is 103 and her five other siblings all lived into their nineties. And she’s maintained a great sense of humour. “I can do [yoga] on the floor, but I'd need someone to watch me in case I need help getting up,” she said.
South Korea: Temple time
South Korean tourism chiefs are looking to open up the country’s unique cultural side to wellness seekers from across the globe, offering exclusive experiences such as temple stays with meditation. As part of promoting Korea’s luxury tourism sector, it is also showcasing vegan travel and advanced beauty and wellness treatments. “From K-pop and K-dramas to luxury and special interest tourism, we are committed to ensuring that every visitor finds something that resonates with them and deepens their connection to Korea,” said Heejin Cho, regional director for the Americas at the Korea Tourism Organisation
Om Magazine
First published in November 2009, OM Yoga magazine has become the most popular yoga title in the UK. Available from all major supermarkets, independents and newsstands across the UK. Also available on all digital platforms.
