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Guangdong Radio & TV films ‘Yoga Retreat in the CNMI’
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- Guangdong Radio & TV filmed scenes for “Yoga Retreat in the CNMI” during sunset on the beach at Grandvrio Resort Saipan on June 25, 2016. (Contributed Photos)
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- Yoga practitioners from China form a flower pattern in the water while practicing aboard paddleboards at Kilili Beach, Saipan on June 26, 2016. The group was filmed by Guangdong TV & Radio for “Yoga Retreat in the CNMI,” which will be released in China.
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- The pristine natural environment of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota make them an ideal location for holistic exercise such as yoga.
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- Yoga practitioners from China tour Banzai Cliff in June 2016 while being filmed by Guangdong TV & Radio for “Yoga Retreat in the CNMI,” which will be released in China on July 15, 2016.
In celebration of International Yoga Day last June 21 and to enhance the awareness of the Northern Mariana Islands as a world-class, health-oriented island, the Marianas Visitors Authority and Dynasty Holiday hosted the first packaged beach yoga group from China to Saipan on June 24-28, 2016, to film “Yoga Retreat in CNMI.”
Ten yoga lovers and an instructor comprised the group, along with three journalists/photographers from Guangdong Radio & TV (GRT) station, who shot a short film. “Yoga
Retreat in the CNMI” will be released via GRT’s Cruise and Travel channel, WeChat, and major websites including tencent.com, tudou.com and youku.com.
The tour kicked off with “sunset yoga” on the beach at Grandvrio Resort Saipan, where several local residents also joined the group.
“It was very low tide that day at 5:30 p.m., and all were a bit disappointed because the beach didn’t look as beautiful as expected,” said MVA Marketing Specialist Laura Hsiao, who accompanied the group. “While practicing yoga, a light rain fell, which was followed by golden sunlight shining through the clouds. As soon as they finished the lesson, everyone start taking photos of themselves in some yoga poses, having the gorgeous golden sunset above the ocean as background.”
Early the next morning, the group went to Kilili Beach to practice yoga on paddleboards.
The yoga tour is part of the MVA’s continuing promotion of sports tourism in the Northern Marianas. As a result of these efforts, approximately 70 runners from China joined the Saipan Marathon in April, a significant increase over prior years.
“We are very happy to see more Chinese visitors enjoying various sports in the islands, including diving, football, beach volleyball, fun runs, fishing, golf, and now yoga,” said MVA managing director Christopher A. Concepcion. “We have received enthusiastic response from a number of organizations and tour agencies in China interested in hosting more sports events in the Northern Marianas to make their customers’ vacations here more memorable and meaningful.”
GRT has over 2 million daily viewers. The program is scheduled to air on Friday (July 15).
