The Remiera Toscolano Maderno and the Dragonboat Festival “Martin Day 2025”: Yoga, Pilates, and YogaTheaTre to Celebrate Strength, Sharing, and Inclusion
On Saturday, November 15, 2025, on the waters of Lake Garda in Toscolano Maderno, the St. Martin’s Summer Dragonboat Festival took place—despite the less-than-kind weather. This event united sport, solidarity, and well-being in an organized celebration.
At the Maderno event, I led the athletes’ warm-up session before the races, particularly for the women of Dragonflies Candia, a sports association that promotes Dragonboat paddling for women who have undergone breast cancer surgery. For about an hour, we shared exercises in Pilates, Yoga, and YogaTheaTre. It was a meeting that went far beyond merely physical activity.
The joyful and smiling connection, shared under a light rain, helped weave new relationships, where it became clear that sport has the power to transcend the physical event and become a true social, relational, and therapeutic tool.
The rhythm of the paddle stroke supports physical recovery after breast cancer surgery, and, according to studies by Donald McKenzie (Canada), helps reduce the risk of lymphedema. Since the 1990s, McKenzie’s research has shown that Dragonboat paddling has positive effects on the lymphatic system, circulation, and muscle tone after mastectomy.
The small blue dragonfly pin, lovingly handmade — symbolizing both the beautiful nature of Lake Candia and the women of the Dragonflies Candia association — was given to me at the end of the encounter. Before I even pinned it to my chest, it had already flown straight to my heart.
Rowing together means building deep bonds, sharing life stories, mutual support, and hope. According to the Italian Dragonboat Federation, teamwork and solidarity among “paddle sisters” foster a psychological rebirth of great significance.
Participating in Martin Day is not just about racing; it is an opportunity to celebrate sharing — a day in which every paddle stroke becomes a gesture of courage, inclusion, and rebirth.
In the past, what now feels like a lifetime ago, I had been invited to give yoga classes to young Dragonboat paddlers. Some continued their practice, while others followed different life paths.
I have always kept in touch with two of them in particular — Paolo Rosina and Paola Inselvini. Thanks to them, I have participated in several events to offer Yoga sessions before and after the races.
In 2023, I had the chance to go out on the lake with the crew of Remiera Toscolano Maderno. The feeling is that of flying in unison on the water, guided by the beat of the drum.
Here, the shared breath and harmony — or their absence — in paddling can be felt instantly. If even one of us loses rhythm or position, disharmony shows up immediately; yet it is equally true that the group possesses the great strength to draw back into the common rhythm and breath anyone who momentarily drifts away. Once again, we become a single body gliding over the water.
In that moment, I experienced the deep presence of union — of Yoga — the yogic soul that pervades action itself. I felt it clearly: The Soul of Yoga.
Heartfelt thanks to Remiera Toscolano Maderno and to all participants.
We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, March 15, 2026, at the Dragonboat Woman Fest 2026 in Toscolano Maderno.
www.remieratoscolanomaderno.it/dragon-boat-woman-fest/
https://dragonfliescandia.wixsite.com/dragonfliescandia/nome