Yogis Celebrate International Yoga Day With a Difference at Weymouth SEA LIFE

Yoga fans were able to enjoy first ever opportunity to undertake classes surrounded by ocean creatures, including seals, sharks and stingrays as part of day of celebrations

To celebrate International Yoga Day, which falls on 21^stJune, Weymouth SEA LIFE Adventure Park teamed up with several of its sister sites across the UK to trial aquarium-based classes; providing yoga lovers with the unique chance to rebalance their chakras amongst the ocean’s most weird and wonderful creatures.

While these initial classes on International Yoga Day acted as taster sessions, Weymouth SEA LIFE is amongst the sites across the UK that is preparing to roll out the concept as a full-time element of its regular events program once the success of this initial event has been evaluated.

The class was devised following the release of several scientific studies in recent years, including work published in 2017 by the American Psychological Association and in 2013 by the University of Exeter, which has proven the calming and meditative effect water and ocean life has on humans. This, coupled with a session led by a professional instructor, offered the attending yogis a mindful class like no other, as well as a one-of-a-kind experience.

Priced at just £5, all funds generated via the classes were donated to the SEA LIFE Trust, which works across the world to support practical local projects to protect marine wildlife and their habitats, alongside working on conservation campaigns to effect long-lasting change on a global scale. Major projects for the charity include running a seal rescue centre in Cornwall and the construction of the world’s first Beluga Whale sanctuary.

Sarah Lambert, spokesperson for Weymouth SEA LIFE said: “We’re dedicated to bringing new, unique formats to our aquarium so that we can offer Weymouth residents and visitors alike a diverse day out at our site – and that’s something that’s certainly true of our yoga sessions today. Everyone involved had a great time and the initial feedback we’ve had from local yogis has been fantastic. Best of all, the class also raised funds for our charitable trust, which does amazing work in rescuing and conserving ocean life around the world.”

International Day of Yoga is a worldwide celebration of the ancient, spiritual practice, held annually on 21^stJune since 2015. The day was declared by the United Nations General Assembly following a proposal by then Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, who suggested the date as it’s the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere and shares a special significance in many parts of the world. Here in the UK, the date coincides with the Summer Solstice.

For more information on Weymouth SEA LIFE please visit: www.sealifeweymouth.com.