Jharkhand is set to take a big yoga stride with as many as 30 enthusiasts, all hailing from Ranchi, making it to a national-level competition scheduled at the mega sports complex in Hotwar in July.

Ace performers will go on to represent India at the 3rd International Yoga Championship, which will be held in Taiwan on October 26 and 27.

The state team was finalised after a selection test organised on March 31 at the Astroturf Hockey Stadium in Morabadi. Organised by Jharkhand Yoga Association under the aegis of Indian Yoga Federation, the selection was attended by Taiwan-based Nilesh Karmakar, one of the organisers of the international event.

Around 65 candidates from various age groups competed for a berth in the state team. They were divided in five age groups: under-15, 15 to 25, 25 to 30, 30-45 and 45 and above.

Each participant was required to perform three mandatory asanas. The fourth was a choice from options specified for each age group.

Notably, of the 40 candidates who represented India in Hong Kong at the 2012 edition of the International Yoga Championship, 24 hailed from Jharkhand. Three yoga enthusiasts from the state had also clinched medals.

Jharkhand Yoga Association, credited with inculcating asana culture among youngsters, is optimistic in the run-up to the national contest. "Brilliant performances in the selections have raised our hopes. We had clinched a gold, a silver and a bronze in Hong Kong last year. We hope to better our own record this time," said Nandulal Dutta, secretary of the association.

The participants have already started practising for the national meet. Akansha Kumari, a Class IV student of Cambrian High School who had bagged the gold last year, said: "I believe we will perform well this time too."

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Ranchi yoga buffs eye global glory

LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwired - April 08, 2013) - The UPLIFT Yoga Bash fundraiser will be held on the night of the full Pink Moon at the historic Vibiana Cathedral in downtown Los Angeles on Thursday, April 25th. This unique and upscale 'yoga rave for a cause' benefits the non-profit organization, Keep Friendship Alive, and its innovative new middle school program called UP, which brings yoga, mindfulness and inspiration to young teens. UPLIFT LA will feature a yoga dance flow led by Anthony Chavez, electronic dance music, tribal body art, concert-worthy laser lights, glow sticks and 600 yogis in a majestic cathedral setting.

The UP middle school program will pilot in Southern California later this year and will be led by UPLIFT Founder, Erica Austin and UPLIFT lead yoga instructor, Anthony Chavez. "It is awesome to see how much teens love yoga. The eight week UP program utilizes themed yoga sessions to connect with teenagers in an unconventional way," says Erica.

All yogi guests at UPLIFT LA will receive free limited edition Teeki apparel, a LUNA bar gift bundle and a Yogitoes headband. General admission tickets are $60 and the main event starts at 8PM. The Teeki VIP Pre-Party with aerial dancers, yoga performers and personalized body art is already sold out. The yoga rave will be followed by the ZICO After-Party until midnight.

This substance-free celebration is generating tremendous buzz in the yogasphere and tickets are selling out quickly. All levels welcome. Don't miss the premier yoga event of the season. Visitwww.UPLIFTyogabash.orgto watch the video, get info and buy tickets.

UPLIFT Yoga Bash UPLIFTyogabash.org Facebook.com/UPLIFTyogabash Twitter.com/UPLIFTyogabash

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'YOGA RAVE FOR A CAUSE' in Los Angeles