PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA, December 17, 2008: Cambodia was home to one of the greatest Hindu empires, until the fall of the Khmer empire in 1431. Ancient carvings in local temples show yogis in deep meditation. The art is long forgotten, but today, yoga studios in the capital are increasingly reaching out to disadvantaged communities to share the health benefits of this healing practice.
“Yoga Cambodia” started a training initiative in January 2007 to help remedy the lack of yoga studios here. Their objective is to train Cambodians in the meditation techniques and exercises of yoga, enabling them in turn to teach others, particularly through outreach activities to poor communities who might not otherwise have access to yoga and meditation-based support. Their students are feeling the benefits of this ancient practice which is so popular abroad.