I put forth a proposal of “International Yoga Day” before the United Nations, which was passed in 100 days through support of 177 nations. It’s a matter of honor for our nation; did anyone think that yoga can also be used as a tool to connect different nations?”–Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Atlanta, GA: Many from around the world will celebrate and enjoy the first ever UN International Day of Yoga on June 21st, 2015. The International Day of Yoga is an organic response to a growing interest in yoga with over 300 million practicing worldwide. Many schools of yoga are organizing themselves to share a practice that is enjoyed by hundreds of millions all over the world.
Over the past few decades, we have seen all forms of yoga and meditation become mainstream. Beyond a mere exercise system, it is a science and technology that delivers wellbeing and is a modern day antidote to stress. The hectic pace of modern life has brought with it an incredible amount of stress and anxiety. Scientific studies show that daily practice of yoga reduces stress, anxiety and depression; increases health, energy and vitality; enhances mental focus and clarity and establishes a sense of peace, joy and deep inner balance. This, in turn, can create a more peaceful and joyous global community around us. For these reasons, yoga is now piquing the interest and curiosity of the upper echelons of political leadership worldwide.
The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi addressed the UN last year and launched this day as well as a website dedicated to the International Day of Yoga. At the UN, he said:
Yoga is an invaluable gift of our ancient tradition. It is not about exercise, it’s a path through which an individual can discover his sense of oneness with nature. It embodies unity, unity of the mind and the body, thought and action, restraint and fulfillment. On the whole, it’s a holistic approach to health and wellbeing.
Sadhguru, the founder of Isha Foundation shares why this is important for the whole world and emphasizes the need for everyone to invest considerable time and effort to explore their inner wellbeing. He explains:
Today, with the tools of science and technology we have brought ourselves to a self-threatening situation that everybody in the society needs to invest in their inner wellbeing and live with a sense of peace and joy in their hearts. Modern technology has tremendous capability for both: creating wellbeing or total destruction. Without deepening the inner experience and becoming all-inclusive individuals, it will surely bring destruction – not just to humanity, but the planet itself.
Isha Foundation is one of the organizations that have partnered with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian Ministry of External Affairs to strategize and plan the celebration of the first International Day of Yoga in all the Indian Embassies and cultural centers worldwide. Modi recently tweeted: “Had a great meeting with Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev”.
In May, Sadhguru addressed the Indian Embassy in Washington, DC where he gave a talk about the significance of the first ever International Day of Yoga:
The Isha Foundation will support all the Indian Embassies worldwide to offer free yoga workshops, demonstrations and classes on the day of and the weeks leading to June 21st, 2015.
To support this worldwide effort, the Isha Foundation will have thousands of trained teachers to offer free yoga so that everyone can make use of these technologies for wellbeing.
To learn more about free yoga lessons, visit: yogayoga.org
