The RhodesYoga Festival, an annual health and wellness event, recently celebrated its second edition to commemorate the International Yoga Day held annually June 21.
The festival, convened by Erimoroti Motolani Aransiola, featured a 21-day online Yoga Challenge, which culminated in a grand event at JJT Park, Ikeja Alausa, Lagos. Participants also joined the RhodesYoga Challenge on Instagram from June 1 to June 21, as each day, various yoga teachers from Nigeria and around the world led live sessions focusing on the Sun Salutation A sequence.
Speaking on the approach, Convener, RhodesYoga Festival, Erimoroti Motolani Aransiola said it was aimed at enhancing flexibility and strength across major joints and body parts.
According to her, the challenge also included three pop-up onsite events: one, Day 8 hosted by Anuoluwapo Idris in Ikorodu, two, Day 15 hosted by Olabowale Olosunde in Ajah/Sangotedo, and three, Day 21 hosted by IAMFIT Gym in Abraham Adesanya. This was followed by the Ajah Grand Event, RhodesYoga Festival 2.0, which brought together people of all ages to celebrate the World Yoga Day in a serene natural setting.
The festival with the theme: “Yoga for Self and Society,” emphasized health, wellness, and community. Other highlights of the event include: 108 Sun Salutation A sequence, Pranic healing workshop, breathing techniques workshop, mindful meditation practice, bonding activities and games. The event saw over 180 registered participants, with more than 100 attending onsite and 50 joining online.
The event also focused on empowering teenage girls through Yoga and mentorship to help them stay in school and build a brighter future. This year, the RhodesYoga Festival focused on #ProjectWalkwithMe, aiming to empower 200 teenage girls through yoga, mentorship, and essential support. The initiative provided yoga sessions, life skills training, and three-month sanitary packages to help girls stay in school and build brighter futures.
The festival received financial and product sponsorship from generous organisations and individuals such as GMCKS Pranic Healing Centre, Pocarisweat, Golden Penny, IAMFIT, EatwithTessa, BrandmyDp and others.
Aransiola called for generous contributions from well meaning individuals to support the transformative project. She said: “Your help will empower girls with soft skills and mental awareness skills, provide a supportive network of mentors and ensure menstrual hygiene and school attendance. We’re aiming to raise N5m to fund these vital programmes.” She said individuals interested in supporting the project, and helping the group work with these girls towards a brighter future, can visit https://bit.ly/PjtWalkwithMe or https://bit.ly/ProjectWalkwShe.
Other members of the festival organising committee include Aduke Oderemi of YogabyAduke (Social Media Manager & Teams Lead), Babatunde Olusanya of Lifelongfitness (Festival Finance), Olabowale Olosunde of WALEFIT-HUB (Festival Communications Manager), and Anuoluwapo Idris of Harnufitwellnesshub (Project Team Leader).
