Highlighting the huge cultural and health impact the art of Yoga has had around the world, people from all walks of life joined together in the past week to celebrate the Fourth International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2018.
From Singapore to San Francisco, and everywhere in between, asanas was the watchword of the week as everyone grabbed their yoga mats and carried out yoga sessions to salute the ancient Indian art.
“Dehradun se Dublin tak, Shanghai se Chicago tak, Jakarta se Johannesburg tak, Yoga hi Yoga hai (From Dehradun to Dublin, Shanghai to Chicago, Jakarta to Johannesburg, there is Yoga all around). Yoga has become one of the unifying forces of the world,” said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who celebrated his Yoga Day in Dehradun.
Let’s take a look at some of the celebrations held around the globe on the occasion.
Singapore
The High Commission of India, Singapore in association with several organisations, educational institutions, yoga centres, clubs and local associations has organised a host of activities around the 4th UN International Day of Yoga. Yoga enthusiasts in the Lion City can pick and choose their yoga bliss from June 16 to 24 across more than 50 locations/venues in Singapore.
All the centres are free and open to the public. Click here for a list of venues.
“Peoples’ Association, ActiveSG and SportSG, Narpani, Art of Living, Isha Foundation, Vyasa Yoga, Sahaja Yoga, Jal Yoga, Indian banks such as State Bank of India, schools such as the Global Indian International Schools, corporates such as Himalaya, GMR, Tata Group of companies, and Reliance, and many local associations have joined with the High Commission to make the 4th IDY a success in Singapore,” the high commission said in a statement.
IDY was also heralded with special events across South East Asia.
UK
The High Commission of India flagged off International Day of Yoga 2018, with Girija Sinha, the wife of the High Commissioner of India, UK, heading a mindfulness and wellness session organised by Indian Young Professionals Network at India House on June 7. The session began with a flute recital by Gaurav Uniyal, and was followed by a salad making session by Sujata Din, noted health coach. A Yoga session was also organised at the British heritage site of Stonehenge.
US
Yoga enthusiasts gathered at historic monuments of the US, including the Capitol Hill, kick-starting a host of events planned this week to mark the fourth anniversary of the IDY.
In New York, people gathered at the Governors Island in the backdrop of the iconic Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline to participate in the Yoga Day celebration organised by the Consulate General of India.
The two-hour event 'Let Yoga Govern Your Life' organised yesterday by the Consulate General of India in New York, included meditation and a guided yoga session based on 'Common Yoga Protocol' conducted with the help of yoga demonstrators and teachers.
Addressing the gathering, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, the Chief Guest for the event, said yoga is a "unique way" to approach an individual's health and well-being.
"Practicing yoga has been shown to decrease stress, fatigue, and alleviate chronic pains, as well as improving physical fitness. I know first-hand the benefits of practicing yoga. It is an essential part of my life, I practice it as often as I can, and it helps me to find balance and peace," she added.
India's Consul General in New York Ambassador Sandeep Chakravorty highlighted yoga's universal appeal and the role of the ancient Indian practice in bringing together the cultures and people of America and India.
In Washington, hundreds of health enthusiasts gathered at the iconic US Capitol Saturday morning to flex their body under the guidance of a trained Indian yoga teacher.
This venue at the Capitol Hill where Presidential swearing in ceremonies are held every four years, this morning experienced one of the largest gatherings of yoga exercises in Washington DC.
"It shows that huge enthusiasm that yoga has gathered among all of us and all over the world," Indian Ambassador to the US Navtej Singh Sarna said in his brief remarks to the participants who had gathered since early morning with their yoga mats at the Capitol overlooking the National Mall.
India
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally led a gathering of 50,000 in a morning yoga routine in Dehradun, while a world record 1 lakh people gathered in Rajasthan under the tutelage of Yoga Guru Ramdev.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, PM Modi said, "In today's fast changing time, Yoga binds together a person's body, brain and soul, hence making one experience a feeling of peace. Dehradun se Dublin tak, Shanghai se Chicago tak, Jakarta se Johannesburg tak, Yoga hi Yoga hai (From Dehradun to Dublin, Shanghai to Chicago, Jakarta to Johannesburg, there is Yoga all around). Yoga has become one of the unifying forces of the world."
Emphasising on the power of yoga and its global reach, Prime Minister Modi said, "Yoga is India's gift to the world. It is a passport for wellness. The world has embraced Yoga and glimpses of this can be seen in the manner in which International Day of Yoga has been marked every year. In fact, Yoga Day has become one of the biggest mass movements in the quest for good health and well-being."
The Prime Minister also added that India is Yoga's top ambassador.
IDY celebrations follow EAM
Following External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s four nation tour, she was the guest of honour at the yoga celebrations in the European Parliament today. Enthusiasts in Brussels joined the minister for the session led by Shri Shri Ravishankar in the presence of EP President Antonio Tajani.
Dubai
Many Yoga enthusiasts attended a session at JLT, Dubai under the leadership of an Italian voluntary yoga instructor on IDY. Vipul, Consul General of India tweeted, "Started the International Day of Yoga with "Yoga and Meditation with a smile" at Heartfulness centre in JLT, Dubai, with a superb Italian voluntary yoga instructor."
The first International Day of Yoga was observed all over the world on June 21, 2015, where more than 30,000 people, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, performed yoga asanas (postures) at Rajpath in New Delhi.
The idea of International Day of Yoga was first proposed by Prime Minister Modi during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 27 September 2014.