“I used to come to The Area News and get photographed on my head. Now that I’m 70 I can’t do that anymore,” he said. 

But after 60 years of practicing Yoga, he said he remains fit and mentally agile – and his long-term contribution to the community has been recognised by the Rotary Club of Griffith Inc. 

Earlier this month he was presented with an Australian Rotary Health Research Fund award and donation in his name at the Griffith Exies Club. 

“Frankly speaking, I think I got the award because they liked the letters to the editor I write in your newspaper,” he said. 

Mr Singh was invited to give a speech, and chose to talk about yoga, its health benefits and its history.

Yoga practices originated in ancient India well over 5,000 years ago.

In 1927, Swami Yogananda taught the then US President Calvin Coolridge yoga, Mr Singh said.

Mr Singh said that regularly practicing yoga contributes to his mental, physical and spiritual health.  

“Recently a young nurse took my blood pressure, and told me my mine is a lot better than hers,” he said.  

“A lot of people my age have knees problems and other physical pain, but I don’t have any of that.”

Mr Singh will be demonstrating his Yoga at the Sikh Games, which will be held in Griffith over the June long weekend, and also feature soccer, tug-o-war and another ancient Indian practice – kabbadi.

Related 

The Griffith Sikh Games 2016