Liu Yunhe, 65, practices yoga by the Songhua River in Jilin, Jilin province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Every day at around 6 am, Liu Yunhe, 65, practices yoga by the Songhua River in Jilin, Jilin province. Facing the rising sun and listening to the sound of the flowing water, he makes strikes difficult poses one by one.

In addition to doing the exercises on the riverbank, Liu, a retired civil servant, also goes to the gym for more exercise in the afternoon.

Liu Yunhe, 65, practices yoga by the Songhua River in Jilin, Jilin province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

He has been practicing yoga for 20 years. He is lovingly called "Yoga Grandpa" by many locals. Someone commented on his short video account: "The grandpa who keeps doing exercises all year round is the coolest one."

Liu said he has benefited greatly from the exercise.

"In recent years, my physical examination indicators are quite normal. I can walk at a brisk pace," he said. "Many years ago, I had several abnormal indicators. It was on the suggestion of a friend that I started to do some stretching exercises."

Liu Yunhe, 65, practices yoga by the Songhua River in Jilin, Jilin province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Around the turn of the millennium, yoga began to rise in popularity in Jilin. Liu, who already had some basic athletic knowledge, started to teach himself yoga.

He learned from online instructional videos and observed his progress. Step by step, he mastered more poses.

Liu Yunhe, 65, practices yoga by the Songhua River in Jilin, Jilin province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]