Mahamadou sanoussi issia

World Yogasana Championship: Zambia’s remarkable journey from practising yoga on stitched-together sacks to winning medals at the inaugural World Yogasana Championship reflects the growing influence of Indian-origin communities in spreading yogasana across Africa.

When Chitula Albert first introduced yoga in his school in Zambia's Copperbelt region, he did not have a single yoga mat. Instead, the vice-principal stitched together old sacks so that a handful of interested children could practice. Most people around him viewed yoga with suspicion.

Because of its roots in India, many associated it with religion rather than physical fitness, making it difficult for Albert to convince parents and students alike. Yet he persisted.