Yogaraj C.P., awarded the title “King of Yoga” in 1991 after winning the championship award at the State Yoga Competition in Tamil Nadu, India, will attempt to hold 1,500 continuous asana over the course of 40 hours this weekend in Hong Kong. If he is successful, he’ll break his own Guinness World Record.
Breaking Records, Not Backs
The 29-year-old first broke the record in 2009 when he held 1,019 positions over a period of 28 hours. Now, Yogaraj aims to outdo himself with a longer marathon and even more poses.
“I can do between 500 and 1,000 randomly, but I will use pictures to remind me. I must hold each position for a minimum of five seconds,” he told the South China Morning Post.
The marathon will take place at his studio, Prana Yogam, in the Tsim Sha Tsui neighborhood of Hong Kong. The studio will be open for the entire challenge; the public is welcome to witness Yogaraj as he twists himself into a new record (or not) beginning at 7 P.M. on Friday and ending at 11 A.M. on Sunday.
According to Guinness World Record guidelines, Yogaraj will be allowed to take either a five-minute break every hour or a 15-minute break every three hours. He is also allowed to talk, eat, and drink while holding the positions.
However, he will be avoiding any solid foods, instead drinking protein powder, juice, and black tea with herbs to keep him awake. “I won’t eat any solid food because it may disturb my stomach. I will also have a student watching over me, and that will give me energy,” Yogaraj told the South China Morning Post.
Global Recognition for Yoga
The attempt is being supported “primarily” by the Indian consulate, says the South China Morning Post. If successful, Yogaraj will dedicate the record to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that he hopes he will achieve the new world record and help spread yoga on a global scale.
