Eleven people gathered around in a circle, sitting on yoga mats laid on the green grass in a park at the National Awakening Museum, formerly known as STOVIA, in Senen, Central Jakarta.

Each of them sat cross-legged, with hands on thighs and eyes closed.

Afternoon sunshine burst through a tree, blending with the mind-invigorating smell of fresh grass to provide a calming ambience.

"Lengthen your spine. Relax your body and mind," said the instructor, who was sitting in the middle of the circle, sporting on a maroon, sleeveless T-shirt with the word "yoga" printed on it and black shorts.

"Now, we will focus on breathing practice first, how to inhale and exhale," said Yudhi Widdyantoro, the instructor, recently.

"Don't force yourself. It's not a competition. Your body will send an alarm once you are unable to do a certain pose."

During the one-and-half-hour yoga session, all participants followed Yudhi's every instruction to perform different yoga postures, from breathing steps and salutation to warrior poses.

Some could easily follow the poses, while some others found them difficult.

Yudhi kept telling the participants not to hold their breath and not to push themselves.

The exercise was part of a Yoga Gembira (Fun Yoga) session held by Yudhi, who has been practicing yoga for about 15 years.

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) is currently investigating yoga, telling Indonesian Muslims to stop practicing it after public concern rose when a Malaysian top Muslim body banned the practice last year.

The council is studying whether yoga includes rituals, actions or teachings that run counter to Islamic teachings.

Meanwhile, the Fun Yoga session has received warm welcome from participants.

Yudhi said he wanted to show people that yoga was not an exclusive exercise.

"My friends asked me to give a yoga session which is affordable for their pockets, since many yoga classes offered by yoga studios or gyms tend to be very expensive," Yudhi told The Jakarta Post.

"Here, the fee is only one-third of the price of a common yoga class. At just Rp 50,000 (US$4), you not only get to practice yoga, but you can also enjoy snacks, drinks and meal after the session.

"So, I want to chase away the exclusive image of yoga," he said, adding that his friends from museum-lover communities helped him find a place for the first session.

"The museum is a perfect place, isn't it? It has vast grounds for us to practice. At the same time, the yoga session can also help promote the museum," he said.

Besides that, the event was aimed at promoting yoga, showing people that it was a fun exercise.

"Many people think yoga is a serious and sacred workout. So, it's a great chance to show them that yoga is a universal activity and it can be fun. It's not even dangerous."

Yudhi said he did not want to group his Fun Yoga session into any particular yoga school.

"I did not want to associate it with any schools. It is basically a social yoga club. It's open to the public," he said.

"Everyone regardless their backgrounds, ethnic groups and religions can join this yoga session."

Sherly Weool, 32, said the outdoor session brought about a different sensation.

"This concept is great. I can meet new people and have fun with them after class," said Sherly, who knew about the event from her friends.

"The place *museum* is also perfect. We have a chance to get close to nature.

"We can breath fresh air, touch green grass and hear birds chirping. The things we rarely find in bustling Jakarta. This is so relaxing," she said.

Lucy Irawan, a resident of Kalimalang, East Jakarta agreed.

"This yoga session is more relaxing than any other yoga classes. It's fun," she said.

She said practicing yoga helped to relieve her stress and to increase her concentration.

"Yoga can also be a healing treatment. I suffer sinusitis, but I feel fresher and healthier than before since I decided to practice yoga about five years ago," she said.

The sun had almost set when all participants got together in the museum's front lobby to enjoy their meals.

The menu ranged from pisang molen (crispy, fried banana) and meatball soup to bandrek (drink made from a mixture of ginger essence, brown sugar and cinnamon).

Yudhi said the yoga session would be a weekly event, saying the next session might take place at another venue.

"We surely will come to the next sessions, as long as we have no urgent agenda. It's a fun activity," another participant said.

Yudhi can be reached at yudhi@cbn.net.id.

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