Introduction to International Day of Yoga
Tens of thousands of people across India stretched in public parks and on sandy beaches Saturday to mark the 11th International Day of Yoga.
The mass yoga sessions were held in many Indian states, where crowds attempted various poses and practiced breathing exercises. Indian military personnel also performed yoga in the icy heights of Siachen Glacier in the Himalayas and on naval ships anchored in the Bay of Bengal.
Global Participation
Similar sessions were also held in countries including Malaysia and Indonesia.
Benefits of Yoga
“I feel that yoga keeps us spiritually fit, mentally fit and helps us manage stress. That’s why I feel that people should take out at least 30 minutes every day for yoga to keep themselves fit,” said Rajiv Ranjan, who participated in an event in the Indian capital of New Delhi.
Yoga is one of India’s most successful cultural exports after Bollywood. It has also been enlisted for diplomacy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has harnessed it for cultural soft power as the country takes on a larger role in world affairs.
Theme and Objective
Modi persuaded the U.N. to designate the annual International Day of Yoga in 2014. The theme this year was “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.”
Modi performed yoga among a seaside crowd in the southern city of Visakhapatnam city, and said “yoga leads us on a journey towards oneness with world.” Amid a checkerboard of yoga mats covering the beach, Modi took his spot on a mat and did breathing exercises, backbends and other poses.
“Let this Yoga Day mark the beginning of yoga for humanity 2.0, where inner peace becomes global policy,” he said.
Participation from Various Walks of Life
As Modi has pushed yoga, ministers, government officials and Indian military personnel have gone on social media to show themselves folding in different poses.
In the capital, New Delhi, scores of people from all walks of life and age groups gathered at the sprawling Lodhi Gardens, following an instructor on stage.
“Yoga for me is like balancing between inner world and outer world,” said Siddharth Maheshwari, a startup manager who joined the event.
International Events
In Malaysia, more than a thousand people, from yoga enthusiasts to first-timers, showed up for a session at the Batu Caves, a popular tourist attraction and site of Hindu festivals on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. People of all ages, including children, exercised next to a giant golden statue of a Hindu God and the rainbow-colored steps that lead to the temple cave.
The event was organized by the Indian High Commission in Malaysia.
“It has been really good and relaxing for the mind body and soul," said Lee Ann.
Tourists, students and yoga enthusiasts also rolled out their colorful yoga mats at sunset in a park near Nusa Dua Beach in Indonesia’s resort island of Bali, which is home to more than 4 million people who are mainly Hindu in the mostly Muslim archipelago nation.
The event was organized by a government tourism agency and the Indian consulate in Bali.
“Yoga brings amazing benefits, especially to restore balance and calm a busy mind. This ancient tradition needs to be preserved because it has a positive impact on the wider society,” said Ayu Sangjiwani, a participant.
Similar events were also held in the capital, Jakarta, and in the cities of Makassar and Yogyakarta.
Conclusion
The International Day of Yoga has become a global event, with people from all over the world participating in yoga sessions to promote physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. The event has helped to spread awareness about the benefits of yoga and has become an important part of India’s cultural diplomacy.
FAQs
Q: When is the International Day of Yoga celebrated?
A: The International Day of Yoga is celebrated on June 21st every year.
Q: What is the theme of the International Day of Yoga 2023?
A: The theme of the International Day of Yoga 2023 is “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.”
Q: Who initiated the International Day of Yoga?
A: The International Day of Yoga was initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who persuaded the U.N. to designate the annual event in 2014.
Q: What are the benefits of yoga?
A: Yoga has numerous benefits, including reducing stress, improving flexibility, and promoting physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
