International Day of Yoga 2023
(YSN Vol. 12, No. 3 – Jun. 2023)
9TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL DAY OF YOGA (IDY)
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
Since its inception in 2014, the IDY has been celebrated annually on June 21st, the day of the Northern Summer Solstice. For more historical information on IDY, see:
https://yoga.ayush.gov.in/origin-idy
https://yoga.ayush.gov.in/major-events
https://nationaltoday.com/international-yoga-day/
The link below provides a 36-minute common yoga protocol for your regular practice during the year, prepared by the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy), Gov. of India:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ch8_AX-7ZU
Now, global celebrations occur around the world on June 21 each year, including the following examples planned for 2023:
India: The largest International Yoga Day event will take place in India, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the celebrations. The event will be held at Rajpath in New Delhi and is expected to attract over 30,000 people.
United States: The United States will also host a number of International Yoga Day events, including a free yoga class on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The event is organized by the Yoga Journal and is open to all levels of experience.
United Kingdom: The UK will also host a number of International Yoga Day events, including a yoga festival in London’s Hyde Park. The festival will feature yoga classes, workshops, and live music.
Canada: Canada will host a number of International Yoga Day events, including a 24-hour fund-raising yogathon event in Toronto.
Australia: Australia will host a number of International Yoga Day events, including a yoga class on Bondi Beach in Sydney. The event is free and open to all levels of experience.
Traveling Well with Yoga: Cathay Pacific Partners with Pure Yoga
(YSN Vol. 6, No. 3 – Nov. 2018)
[Adapted from Pure Yoga (1/24/18)]
For the month of January, Cathay Pacific Airways partnered with Pure Yoga to launch a new inflight well-being program called “Travel Well with Yoga.” The program consists of a series of videos developed by Pure Yoga instructors to help passengers ease into their journeys with yoga and meditation exercises and tips.
Six easy-to-follow videos were viewable on inflight entertainment screens in English Cantonese, Mandarin, and Japanese across all Cathay Pacific and Cathay Draagon routes demonstrated yoga and meditation routines that can be done before, during or after a flight. Exercise routines were designed to improve circulation, enhance joint mobility and relax the mind for a comfortable and restful journey.
Read more about the innovative program and about Pure Yoga at: https://bit.ly/2O2pFVZ.
Brazil’s Ministry of Health Incorporates Ayurveda, Chiropractic, Yoga and Shantal
(YSN Vol. 5, No. 1 – May 2017)
[Adapted from globo.com (03/28/2017)]
Art therapy, bio-dance, circular dance, meditation, music therapy, naturopathy, osteopathy, reflexotherapy, and reiki were also included in the National Policy on Integrative and Complementary Practices.
A new ordinance of the Ministry of Health in Brazil includes 14 new alternative therapies in the National Policy of Integrative and Complementary Practices (PNPIC). In January, the Ministry had announced that these therapies would be offered by the Unified Health System (SUS). Included in the PNPIC now are art therapy, ayurveda, bio-dance, circular dance, meditation, music therapy, naturopathy, osteopathy, chiropractic, reflexotherapy, reiki, shantala, integrative community therapy, and yoga.
India Poised to Stage an Impressive Second International Day of Yoga
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, front and center, leads tens of thousands of people in a yoga demonstration on the first IYD in New Delhi, June 21, 2015. (Photo credit: AFP/Getty Images)
(YSN Vol. 4, No. 2 – May 2016)
[Adapted from “International Day of Yoga part 2: Government plans to stage a bigger event this year,” The Economic Times (02/18/16)]
Efforts are underway by the Modi government to build on the elaborate success of the first International Day of Yoga (IDY) to achieve an equally impressive celebration in June this year. Plans to date include a lengthened yoga protocol, yoga conferences, advanced yoga retreats and camps for foreigners in scenic spots, and a mass yoga demonstration practice session to celebrate IDY 2. Educational institutes will be engaged in a significant way, with yoga courses introduced in schools and higher education institutes. The effort aims for 100% participation in the June event from all institutions, including IITs, IITs, and IISERs. A Yoga Olympiad coordinated by the NCERT is also being discussed.
A Refreshingly Hopeful Image: Canada’s New First Lady, a Yoga Teacher
(YSN Vol. 4, No. 2 – May 2016)
[Adapted from “Canada’s New First Lady is a Yoga Teacher,” YogaDork News (03/10/16)]
Canadian Prime Minister and Mrs. Trudeau in the tree pose. (Photo credit: Andre Forget/QMI Agency)
Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau, wife of politician Justin Trudeau — yoga instructor since 2012.
Photo credit: Marcie Richstone.
She is not just Canada’s first lady and an activist, but also a long-time yoga practitioner and a certified Yoga teacher since 2012. Yes, Sophie-Gregoire Trudeau, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s wife, credits yoga for changing her life, bringing her a feeling of peace and gratitude, and is passionate about sharing it with others.
While talking about its benefits, the first lady of Canada told Montreal Families that she strongly encourages people to try it: “It doesn’t matter if you are not physically fit because you don’t have to be ‘good’ at it. All that matters is that you try and take the time to connect with yourself. It should be taught in schools just like any other subject. Our children could benefit from quiet time, more introspection mixed with the fun and adventurous exploration of what your body (and mind) can do,” she says.
As she told Montreal Families: “The meditation and physical practice of yoga (hatha) are ways to deeply connect with yourself and be in the present. It has changed my life. It takes discipline, openness and vulnerability to be able to grow as a human being, to face your flaws and to embrace your inner beauty.”
China Sets up First Yoga College
(YSN Vol. 4, No. 1 – Jan. 2016)
[Adapted from “India-China Yoga College Begins in Kunming City,” The Economic Times (11/14/15)]
To promote culture exchange and bilateral ties, China has set up its first yoga college at the Yunnan University of Nationalities. A cooperation memorandum for the yoga college was signed between the university and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China in May. Yoga teachers from India have been invited to teach the students and preside over courses. Other than yoga practice, there are also courses on Indian culture and philosophy. Meanwhile, students who have enrolled will have the chance to study at the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga in New Delhi and qualified ones will be given international yoga training certificates.
Read more at: https://m.economictimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/india-china-yoga-college-begins-classes-in-kunming-city/articleshow/49783616.cms .
Cubans Seek Freedom in Yoga
(YSN Vol. 4, No. 1 – Jan. 2016)
[Adapted from “In Castro’s Cuba, Yoga Offers ‘Freedom in the Heart’,” NDTV.com (06/21/12)]
In the 1990s, Cuba officially recognized Yoga and acupuncture under the National Health Program. To make it more accessible to the Cubans, the government started broadcasting basic yoga postures on national television, where Eduardo Pimentel, face of Yoga in the country and founder of Cuba Yoga Association, was the instructor. In a video made by NDTV titled “In Castro’s Cuba, yoga offers ‘freedom in the heart’,’’ Pimentel says, “The government needed different ways to support health care and they began to promote Yoga.” Meanwhile, another American instructor-in-training Kim says that there is an explanation for Yoga’s popularity in Cuba. “It is because Cubans are looking for freedom… freedom in their hearts… and yoga provides this.”
For the full article, see http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/in-cashttps://www.ndtv.com/world-news/in-castros-cuba-yoga-offers-freedom-in-the-heart-489105tros-cuba-yoga-offers-freedom-in-the-heart-233957?pfrom=home-topstories.
India’s New Prime Minister Appoints a Yoga Minister to “Reclaim Yoga”
(YSN Vol. 3, No. 1 – Jan. 2015)
[Adapted from “India’s new Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, aims to rebrand and promote yoga in India,” The Washington Post (12/02/14)]
In a grand reorganization of his government, new Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently appointed Shripad Yesso Naik as India’s Yoga Minister, to rebrand and promote yoga as an art form original to India. The efforts pushed forward in recent weeks within India include a “broad expansion of the wellness practice into all facets of civil life – including more than 600,000 schools, and thousands of hospitals and police training centers.” Click here, for the full article.
Yoga Sways Sochi Olympians
(YSN Vol. 2, No. 1 – Jul. 2014)
[Adapted from “Is Yoga the Secret to Olympic Gold?,” Huffpost (02/14/2014)]
Athletes everywhere are noticing the benefits of yoga. Nowhere is this more topical than the 2014 Winter Olympic games in Sochi. Jamie Anderson, the women’s snowboarding event winner of gold medal at the Sochi Olympics, credits yoga practice with helping her stay physically and mentally strong. According to US coach Mark Grimmette, yoga has been a part of the luge team’s routine for a few years, as yoga is increasingly incorporated for stretching purposes in sports. As another example, America’s coed luge team is partnering with Shiva Keshavan, the five-time Olympian luger from India, who will facilitate yoga practice for the US team in the coming years.
US freestyle skier Heather McPhie underscores the mental benefits of yoga: “Not only is it helpful in keeping my body feeling good, it is also a really good way for me to connect, slow down and get back to being present,” she reports in an interview. On winning gold for the first time, Canadian cross-country skier Chandra Crawford stated: “I was overwhelmed, but the presence of mind to get to that point [of deepening awareness of inner joy to achieve personal goals] came from my yoga-like focus on every moment, every stride, making it my best. I was totally immersed in the process. It really speaks to taking your practice into every aspect of life.”
Freestyle skier Shannon Deanne Bahrke shares that “[i]n a judged sport, you’re always comparing yourself to others. Yoga has really taught me to be OK with what I have and to work within myself.” Teenage figure skater Gracie Gold uses standard yoga stretches each day and says,“I practice deep abdominal breathing and meditation before competition.” Yoga practitioners will agree that yoga can help you improve your balance, flexibility, concentration, core strength and endurance, while enhancing your respiratory functioning through improved breathing.
For the complete article, see: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/14/yoga-olympics_n_4777970.html.