Once an obscure practice in pre-Vedic India, yoga has now
gained unprecedented prominence worldwide. This year, over 180 countries
participated in the celebration of International Yoga Day, starting from the
United Nations Headquarters in New York, which was lit up with the word “yoga”
projected on it.
The International Day of Yoga was created by the United Nations in 2014 to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practicing yoga. The proposal was first introduced by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, who said, “Yoga is an invaluable gift from our ancient tradition. Yoga embodies unity of mind and body, thought and action.”
Organized by the Permanent Mission of India to the United
Nations, the theme for the 2017 celebration was “Yoga for Health.” It
emphasized the holistic benefits of yoga and its contribution to humankind’s
pursuit to move towards lifestyles that are in harmony with nature.
India
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a crowd of 45,000
yoga practitioners in a mass yoga session at Ramabhai Ambedkar Sabha Sthal in
Lucknow, India.
"There are many countries which don't know our
language, are not aware about Indian culture or traditions but they too are practicing
yoga,” said Modi. “Much like it connects the mind with the soul, yoga is
playing an important role in connecting the world.”
Spain
The Summer Energizing Retreat at the Suryalila Retreat Center in
Southern Spain – a seven-day festival featuring yoga workshops, meditations,
classes, and dance – celebrated International Yoga Day with 108 sun salutations
in 10 different languages.
USA
On June 20, 2017, the Yoga Session with Yoga Masters was
held at the United Nations North Lawn. In addition to featuring three esteemed
yoga masters, the event saw the unveiling of UN Postal Administration’s special
Yoga Day commemorative stamp.
Thousands of yogis from all over the world gathered in New
York’s Times Square for “Solstice in Times Square: Mind Over Madness”, to
celebrate the Summer Solstice with day-long free yoga classes.
Australia
The International Yoga Day in Australia took place in its
iconic Bondi Beach, beginning with a history of the annual celebration,
followed by yoga sessions and discussions, including Hatha Yoga, Bhakti Yoga,
Yoga Nartana (Yoga Dance), and ending with a presentation by the Refugee Yoga
Project, a yoga program integrated within trauma services for refugees in
Australia.
Japan
Its third year in celebrating International Yoga Day, Japan
is the only country to establish a Parliamentary League for the promotion of
yoga, during the visit of Art of Living Founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to Japan
in April 2017.
Egypt
In collaboration with the Egyptian government, The Indian
embassy organized yoga events in Cairo, Alexandria, and Ismailia to celebrate
the Day of Yoga. India’s ambassador to Cairo Sanjay Bhattacharyya said, “This
time is very special as there is a strong connection between the spirit of yoga
and the spirit of Ramadan.” Multiple yoga flash mobs were seen at the Pyramids,
Qasr el-Nil, and Tahrir Square.