New Delhi, June 19 (IANS): A full dress rehearsal for the first International Yoga Day - to be observed on June 21 - was conducted early Friday morning amid tight security at Rajpath here, with thousands of people performing various 'asanas'.

The participants, mostly young men and women from various colleges and NCC cadets, had come prepared with mats and water bottles for the final practice before the big day.

"We have been practicing here for the past two days. We have learnt almost all basic 'asanas' which we will perform on the Yoga Day," Kapil Prashar, an engineering student from Gurgaon told IANS.

Government officials and defence force personnel would also be part of a large contingent that would perform the ancient regimen of exercises and breathing techniques on Sunday (June 21).

A number of large screens have been put up on both sides of the Rajpath to allow participants to know how to adopt the correct Yoga postures.

As the full dress rehearsal started at 7 a.m., a compact disc on Yoga postures prepared by the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) was played on the large screens to help the volunteers to perform properly.

Sanjay Kumar, a young participant, told IANS that he was happy to be a part of the event.

"I was never into Yoga. I had only heard about it but never performed. Now, since I am learning it here, I will try and make it part of my routine for the rest of my life," he said.

Meanwhile, massive security arrangements are already in place and Delhi Police and other security agencies have deployed personnel in and around the area.

"Special passes have been issued to all participants and other support staff. No person is being allowed to enter the venue without valid passes," a police officer told IANS.