Youths from Jammu and Kashmir participate in an international yoga competition in Surat. The four- day competition started on Thursday.

The participants from Kashmir were excited to be a part of this competition and said that the ancient form of science was not very popular in the valley owing to militancy and terrorism. But off late, students are taking to the ancient Indian form of meditation, which is a blend of mental and physical exercises.

Zarana Basi, a young girl from Kashmir said that she has benefited greatly from Yoga.

"There was a time when I used to complain a lot about pain in my legs. Yoga has helped me overcome this problem. Today, my brother and parents also do yoga," said Zarana.

The participants said that yoga is not popular in the valley owing to religious barriers and customary requirement of chanting the sacred Hindu syllable 'om' while doing yoga 'asanas,' is not acceptable by the residents in the Muslim dominated State.

But the coach of the Jammu and Kashmir team, Azaad Ahmad said he is determined to teach yoga and spread the discipline in the valley despite religious barriers.

He has modified the exercises to suit the residents in the region by substituting 'om' with 'Allah'.