On September 29, 2025, Pan-Asia International School came together to celebrate World Heart Day under the inspiring theme “Don’t Miss a Beat.” The celebration highlighted the importance of maintaining a healthy heart — physically, mentally, and emotionally — through a day filled with activities promoting fitness, creativity, and mindfulness.
Promoting Health, Creativity, and Community
This annual event is designed to encourage health awareness, self-expression, and community spirit among our students. Participants were invited to dress in heart-related colors, such as red and pink, symbolizing love, health, and unity. Not only did this celebration provide a platform for creative expression, but it also raised awareness about the importance of heart health in our daily lives.
Throughout the day, students took part in various heart-healthy activities, including running relays, poster-making, and interactive games that encouraged movement and teamwork. Our Kindergarten learners also joined the celebration with a cheerful Heart Walk and engaging class projects where they learned more about how the heart works and why it’s essential to care for it.
Through these meaningful experiences, PAIS continues to nurture holistic education that strengthens both the mind and body, emphasizing wellness, empathy, and community connection.
Yoga for the Heart, Mind, and Soul
A highlight of this year’s World Heart Day was the Yoga Reflection Session, led by Mr. Devin Sethi and Ms. Shalita Hompang from Embrace Energy Yoga School. The session introduced students to simple yet powerful yoga practices that promote mindfulness, relaxation, and overall heart health.
The instructors guided participants through breathing techniques and beginner-friendly yoga postures that helped students center themselves and calm their minds. The session offered a valuable opportunity to learn how physical and mental harmony can positively impact heart health.
Student Reflection
Laurene Andrea Pinto, a student from Grade 10 Peace, beautifully shared her thoughts about the experience:
“Yoga is a physical practice that helps connect the body, breath, and mind. On World Heart Day, Pan-Asia International School invited yoga instructors to introduce to us the importance and benefits of these exercises. For many, it was a new experience.
The instructor helped us create a calm, relaxing, and peaceful environment where we were able to clear our minds. We practiced simple moves which were easy to follow, especially for beginners. Though the session was short, it introduced a way for us to improve our health on a daily basis — an easy practice for everyone.
Overall, it was a valuable and new learning experience for the students. And most importantly, it showed us a way to keep ourselves and our hearts healthy.”
Facilitator Reflection
Mr. Anthony Ramon Garcia, one of our Secondary English facilitators, also reflected on the yoga experience with great insight and appreciation:
“September 29th was no ordinary day at Pan-Asia. It was World Heart Day, when students and staff took a moment to focus on our physical, mental, and spiritual health. We wore red to symbolize the heart. We ran relays to circulate the blood. We did yoga to unite us with ourselves.
Sitting on a foamy mat in the lotus position, we followed the directions of a Yoga Master to close our eyes and focus on breath. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. The mind calmed. Troubles ebbed away. The mat started to feel more like an island of tranquility.
After a few minutes, we stood and began our session, performing a variety of yoga postures called asanas. Giggles filled the gymnasium as the Master, standing atop a stage adorned with flowers, instructed us to twist our bodies in what first seemed like strange ways. We squatted with our hands clasped, stood on one leg, and reached for the sky — all while focusing on our breathing. Inhale. Exhale. As time passed, our bodies loosened and our minds sharpened, eagerly awaiting the next instruction.
He taught us a breathing technique called Pranayama, where we moved our arms up and down while breathing rapidly through our noses. Then he asked us to lie down and close our
eyes. As our heart rates slowed and gravity grounded us, he ended the session with a guided meditation. When I reopened my eyes, I felt united with myself and everyone around me.
And that’s what yoga’s all about — UNITY.
Thank you to all the people who made World Heart Day a special one. Introducing an Eastern practice like yoga was a great idea. I learned a new and exciting way to stay healthy and look forward to next year’s World Heart Day!”
A Heartfelt Thank You
Pan-Asia International School extends its heartfelt thanks to Mr. Devin Sethi and Ms. Shalita Hompang from Embrace Energy Yoga School for sharing their time and expertise with our students and facilitators. Their guidance made this year’s celebration a truly enriching experience for everyone.
