Besides, there was large-scale participation in the celebrations organised across China on the first International Day of Yoga on June 21.

Although Yoga had become immensely popular in China for several years, it got the Chinese Government's recognition with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit in May last. Both Modi and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang took part in a Yoga-Tai Chi meet in Beijing. An MoU was also signed to set up a Yoga college in China, which was later opened at Yunnan Minzu University in Kunming in June, on the eve of the first International Day of Yoga.

The world endorsed Yoga as the "holistic approach to health and well-being" on December 11, 2014, thanks to the efforts of the new Indian Government, through an agreement by "acclamation" declaring June 21 as the "International Yoga Day." Under its ‘Global Health and Foreign Policy,’ the UN was acknowledging that yoga is good for the health of the world population. And the resolution was implemented in great speed. The success was stependous.

The UN act had followed Modi's speech on September 27 last year at the United Nations General Assembly: "Yoga embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfilment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well being...Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day."

For UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, it is an ideal instrument for bringing about peace and prosperity to mankind: "Yoga can bring communities together in an inclusive manner that generates respect and can promote peace and development."

Yoga centres are springing up everywhere in China and there is a huge demand for teachers in order to standardise the instruction, like what happened in the Unites States in recent years. And China has good business too, of exporting comfortable mats and suits for performing various postures with ease and freedom. In fact, China had foreseen the prospects when it supported the UN resolution for the Yoga Day overnight.

Beijing, Shanghai, Sichuan Yoga centres are doing flourishing business. A Shanghai school has an exchange programme with a school in Delhi to teach Tai Chi. Some of the Yoga centres in China are: YogiYoga, Tennis Center, Chaoyang Park, Beijing 100025 (with branches all over China); Prana Vikasa Yoga Shala, Rm 2409, 4/F North Tower, SOHO Shangdu, 8 Dongdaqiao Rd, Beijing 100004; Beijing Yoga Studio, Jintong West Road,11, Future Square, AB, floor B1, W-Fitness Club, Beijing 100027; Metime Yoga, Shuangjing Bridge Beijing, Beijing 100022; Blue Castle International Centre, Tower 2 16th floor, 3 Xi Dawanglu, Dawang, Beijing 100026; Yoga Yard, 6/F, 17 Gongtibei Lu, Beijing 100027.

For the biggest show in China on Yoga Day, the Festival in Dujiangyan, Pattabhi Jois' yoga shala called Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute, Sivananda, Kaivalyadham, Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram, Isha Hatha Yoga and Indea Yoga institutions were ready with guides.

China's own relaxing Tai Chi has similarities with Yoga. China is always keen to display the cultural similarities with India by highlighting Tai Chi and comparing it with Yoga. Practiced in various forms, Tai Chi is also a martial art for defence. It trains the body and mind to "shield" from attack. It is said to have health benefits too as it busts stress by involving the mind to synchronise with body movements. Medical science recommends Tai Chi.

China's booming business has also popularised the acrobatic feats of Pole dancing. The entertainment is a huge, billions worth fitness industry in China enticing millions of Chinese neorich middle class looking to spend to get entertained, according to IBISWorld.com. Cut-throat competition is leading to widespread fraud to attract customers. An example is, morphed photos of fake levitation have easy believers. (see pix).