Who knew yoga was a competitive sport? Last month in Pondicherry, India, Hong Kong apparently made quite a showing at the 16th annual International Yoga Competition. Led by Pure Yoga's Master Sudhakar, his team of seven female students - Jenny Cheung, Sue Ling Chu, Elaine Lam, Selina Mak, Madoka Nakajima, Vikki Ng and Jennifer Tu - stretched and bent their way to great success. The team won six prizes against 890 participants from all over the world ranging in age from five to 95.

Nakajima won the championship prize in her age category for the second time. Ng was also named champion in her age group, while Tu and Chu came third in their groups. 'The intention of yoga in competition is not to compare and define who the best is ... it is a competition within the individual,' Mak said.

Tu said practising in India was different. 'In Hong Kong, we practise with nice yoga mats and mirrors all round us. There, kids do headstands on the raw ground ... but they have a very cheerful face. From them we can really see the calmness of mind and the beauty of yoga.'