New York : The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations organised the 12th International Day of Yoga celebrations at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, drawing nearly 800 yoga enthusiasts from diverse nationalities and backgrounds.
The event marked the global observance of yoga, the ancient Indian practice that has gained widespread international recognition for promoting physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Harish P., addressed the gathering and highlighted yoga’s growing global reach and its contribution to holistic health and wellness. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres delivered a special message on the occasion, underscoring the significance of yoga in fostering harmony and well-being worldwide.
The programme featured sessions based on the Common Yoga Protocol, along with an advanced yoga demonstration by the Art of Living Foundation. Yogmata Keiko Aikawa, recognised as the first female and non-Indian Siddha Master, was among the distinguished participants attending the event.
According to the Indian Mission, the participation of nearly 800 individuals reflected yoga’s increasing popularity across cultures and communities around the world.
The celebrations at the UN Headquarters are part of a broader series of events being organised across the United States ahead of the International Day of Yoga, observed annually on June 21.
Major yoga gatherings are scheduled at several iconic locations, including the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., Times Square in New York City and Navy Pier in Chicago. This year’s theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” emphasises the role of yoga in improving physical mobility, mental wellness and healthy longevity.
In Washington, the Indian Embassy has invited the public to participate in a flagship yoga event at the Lincoln Memorial and recently organised a curtain-raiser session at DuPont Circle to promote awareness ahead of the celebrations.
Meanwhile, H.R. Nagendra, yoga mentor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is set to lead a major yoga session at Times Square on June 21. The event is being coordinated by the Consulate General of India in New York and is expected to attract a large number of participants.
The International Day of Yoga was established by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2014 and has been observed annually since 2015. Over the years, it has attracted millions of participants worldwide and strengthened yoga’s role as a global tool for health, harmony and well-being.