Westchester [US], June 21 (ANI): The Consulate General of India (CGI) in New York marked the 11th International Day of Yoga with spirited celebrations in Westchester and Times Square, showcasing yoga’s global resonance as a practice of unity and wellness.
Organized in collaboration with the Town of Greenburgh and the Indian Cultural Association of North America (ICANA), the Westchester event witnessed enthusiastic participation from members of the Indian diaspora and local communities. In a post on X, CGI New York highlighted the event’s success in promoting yoga’s universal message of harmony and well-being.
Building on the momentum, CGI New York also hosted a vibrant yoga session at Times Square, one of the world’s most iconic public spaces, in partnership with @TimesSquareNYC. Sharing visuals of the event, the consulate posted on X:
“CGI New York, in collaboration with @TimesSquareNYC, hosted a vibrant Yoga Session at the iconic Crossroads of the World – Times Square! Here are a few more glimpses from this energizing celebration of wellness and unity. #YogaforOneEarthOneHealth.”
Similar yoga celebrations extended beyond New York, with the Indian Embassy in Washington, DC, organizing a public session at the Lincoln Memorial. The event, held on Thursday ahead of International Yoga Day, drew a large turnout, reflecting yoga’s expanding global reach.
India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, addressed participants, emphasizing yoga as an integral part of India’s civilizational heritage.
“We are all here to celebrate the 11th International Day of Yoga. An enormous, great, fun-filled celebration of India’s ancient civilisation heritage in the form of yoga… I want to thank everybody for being here with us this morning to celebrate this heritage from India,” he said.
The session in DC was led by renowned yoga and meditation instructor Acharya Govind Brahmachari, who spoke on yoga’s deeper spiritual purpose.
“Yoga is already widely popular. We want to bring yoga to every household worldwide. Beyond the physical fitness benefits, yoga aims to attain a sense of freedom and oneness with the universe. Asanas support the mind and emotional health, paving the way for deeper meditation,” he said.
Participants praised the initiative, with Dr. Smita Patel, a physician, emphasizing yoga’s role in holistic health.
“I would like to congratulate Prime Minister Modi for starting this 11 years ago. Today’s theme ‘One Earth, One Health’ is powerful. Yoga is essential, like breathing. It reduces anxiety, improves depression, and benefits children’s attention and concentration,” she remarked.
Acharya Madhuvartanand Avdhut from the Ananda Marga Yoga and Meditation Centre also highlighted yoga’s ancient roots and transformative potential.
“The first yogi was Lord Shiva, who came to this earth 7000 years ago. Yoga has three dimensions—Asana, Darshan, and Sadhana. It promotes healthy living and can unite human society,” he said.
International Yoga Day, initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015, continues to be a global movement promoting health, mindfulness, and collective well-being. (ANI)
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