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Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. mass
    • ex. There was a mass celebration in the streets after the city’s team won the game.
  2. a pose
    • ex. Today, I learned a yoga pose called Easy Sit. You just sit with your legs crossed.
  3. all walks of life
    • ex. The festival attracts visitors from all walks of life, including students, workers, and tourists.
  4. soft power
    • ex. Instead of using military force, the government relies on soft power to build good international relationships.
  5. preserve
    • ex. He took a photo to preserve the memory of his trip.

Article

Read the article below and answer your tutor's questions.

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People in India joined mass yoga sessions last month to celebrate the 11th International Day of Yoga. People practiced yoga and tried different poses together in public parks, beaches, and even on army ships and icy mountains. People from all walks of life joined the events. Even officials and military members posted photos and videos of themselves doing poses on social media. Countries like Malaysia and Indonesia also held yoga sessions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi promotes yoga around the world. It is now a big part of India’s soft power that helps share its culture and connect with other countries peacefully. Modi also helped create the annual Yoga Day at the United Nations in 2014. This year’s theme was “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.”

Yoga is seen as a way to stay mentally strong and healthy. One man in New Delhi said yoga helps manage stress and should be done at least 30 minutes daily. Many people said yoga helps restore peace and balance in their busy lives. They hope to preserve this old tradition to help more people.

This material was based on an article by The Associated Press.

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Practicing Yoga

  • Yoga is often practiced in parks, on beaches, or even on ships. Where do you think is the best place to do yoga? Why? Discuss.
  • Some government officials and soldiers also practice yoga and post it online. What do you think about this? Discuss.
  • There is now an International Day of Yoga. In your opinion, how important is it to have this special day? Discuss.

Yoga as Soft Power

  • Yoga is part of India’s soft power. Why do you think soft power, like culture or values, can be powerful? Discuss.
  • How do cultural activities like yoga help people learn about other countries and cultures? Discuss.
  • What cultural practices or traditions from your country do you think could be used as soft power (ex. local pop music, a sport)? Discuss.