Suzy Cato joins 623 others for the largest yoga gathering in New Zealand as part of the Wild Dunedin Festival of Nature. Photo: Supplied / Wild Dunedin
A sea of yoga mats filled Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin as 623 people moved through downward dog in unison on Sunday, setting a new national record for the largest yoga gathering, according to event organisers.
The one-hour mass yoga session launched the NatureDome celebration, part of the Wild Dunedin Festival of Nature.
Instructors Jo Woolley, Wayne Everson, and Jenna McLaughlin led the one-hour session, which drew participants from across Otago and as far away as Christchurch, said Wild Dunedin marketing manager Charlie Buchan.
Buchan claimed the turnout more than doubled the previous national record of 300, set at Auckland's Domain.
A sea of yoga mats filled Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin as part of the Wild Dunedin Festival of Nature. Photo: Supplied / Wild Dunedin
The yoga session was one of over 150 events featured at the festival, which aims to connect people with the natural world through activities across the city.
Thousands visited the NatureDome throughout the day, taking in live music, school group performances, and a family screening of Disney's Moana.
Entertainer Suzy Cato teamed up with singer Anika Moa for a live performance and led children in singing a specially written rock anthem, themed around this year's festival.
The 623-strong mass yoga session launched the NatureDome celebration, part of the Wild Dunedin Festival of Nature. Photo: Supplied / Wild Dunedin
Buchan said the success of the yoga session and wider festival reflected the growing interest in nature-based community events.
"The success of the NatureDome and the record-breaking yoga session is something we're immensely proud of. It's not only a fantastic boost for the local community and wider region, but a national achievement for a festival that New Zealand can be proud of," he said.
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