Yoga sessions were performed in the heart of New York to celebrate International Yoga Day in the presence of the deputy Ambassador of India to the US, Sripriya Ranganathan. On Wednesday, the ‘event-studded’ Pledge to mark the Indian Republic Day was held at the historically nostalgic Wharf on the Potomac River, and prayers were followed by Bill Holdridge’s dancers demonstrating Indian classical dances. Yoga practice emphasized the integrated nature and intention of the ancient practice, which was inspired by India. International Yoga Day is held every year on the 21st of June, and its theme for 2022 is ‘Yoga for Self and Society’.
During her speech, Ranganathan focused on how yoga helps to pave the way to a better future for society and provides an opportunity to find harmony between people and within them. She underlined that yoga is unique and accessible to all as she described the events that led to June 21 being adopted as the International Day of Yoga on December 11, 2014. The decision to set this day was made during India’s recommendation, and it attracted over 175 country members’ support, which was an all-time record.
Ranganathan expanded on the roots of yoga for the group, addressing that it started as far back as the Indus Valley civilization. Yoga has already gone through nearly 5 thousand years, but throughout this time, it has grown significantly, becoming a popular activity for hundreds of millions of people. It also provided social awareness campaigns on the popularization of millet, including its use as a food grain in daily meals and the use of environment-friendly products and techniques as per the media report.
One of the key points to consider as an aspect of the event was the focus on the balance between the traditional and the contemporary. The participants were asked to adopt sustainable practices, which are a few of them, including opting for reusable items and taking millet as a daily diet. Such actions included initiatives promoting health, wellness, and sustainability, which integrate life’s physical, environmental, social, and mental aspects.
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