India's Yoga Unites America, China

?Celebrating Mind, Body, Spirit: The International Day of Yoga

In 2023, the United States and China disagree on almost everything. ?But they do agree upon one practice and it originated in India thousands of years ago. Yoga.?The practice of Yoga is relevant in today’s stressful times. In fact in 2014, at the request of India, the United Nations designated June 21st as the International Day of Yoga.

In Beijing there is an ongoing celebration from June 17th to 21st at the site of Olympic Green Convention Center?which is now called the China National Convention Center.?

At the same time my favorite Chinese city, Shanghai, will host a Yoga Festival at the Shanghai World Expo Park.

India's Prime Minister Narenda Modi proposed the Interanational Day of Yoga        

For the first time, in New York City, ?at the headquarters of the United Nations, International Yoga Day will led by the man credited with the idea, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will on his sixth American visit in nine years as Prime Minister.

Over 40 million American practice Yoga regularly and on June 21 this year, there are hundreds of celebrations across the country including ?a Niagara Falls, Disneyland and Disney World, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and more (see footnote).

India now has a federal ministry dedicated to non-western health practices, the Ministry of AYUSHA, where the "Y" stands for Yoga. And hundreds of millions of citizens make yoga part of their daily life, quite independent of their religion.

Yoga serves as a holistic approach to harmonize the mind, body, and spirit?        

What is Yoga?

Yoga serves as a holistic approach to harmonize the mind, body, and spirit. As people unite in practicing yoga on this momentous day, the world witnesses the transformative power of this age-old discipline.

Yoga, derived from the Sanskrit word "yuj" meaning union, embodies the union of the individual consciousness with the universal consciousness. This timeless practice encompasses various physical postures (“asanas”), breathing exercises (“pranayama”), and meditation techniques that promote physical strength, mental clarity, and emotional balance.

Research studies summarized by the U.S. National Institutes of Health have underscored the immense benefits of yoga on overall well-being. Regular practice has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression while enhancing cognitive function and promoting relaxation. Moreover, yoga cultivates physical fitness by improving flexibility, balance, and cardiovascular health.

The International Day of Yoga transcends boundaries, cultures, and religions, promoting a shared sense of well-being and harmony. It serves as a reminder that despite our differences, we can all find solace and strength in the practice of yoga. By embracing its principles, individuals can cultivate compassion, resilience, and a deeper connection with themselves and the world around them.

Yoga Near Me

Here in Southern California where I live, we have a special modern and historical connection with Yoga. My friend Professor Chris Chapple , created the country’s first program on Yoga Studies and at the Loyola Marymount University where he has taught for 37 years, you can study to obtain a Master’s Degree in Yoga Studies. ?

98 years ago, Paramhansa Yogananda established the Self Realization Fellowship here in Los Angeles to promote the practice of this ancient art.?You may know him as the author of “Autobiography of a Yogi”.?Fans of Apple co-founder?Steve Jobs, also know that every attendee at Job’s funeral was given a copy of this book (Jobs was a believer in Yoga since his twenties and had traveled to India looking for inspiration).

This week as India’s Prime Minister arrives on a State Visit at the invitation of Democratic President Joseph R. Biden and will alo address a Joint Session of Congress for the second time, invited by Republican House Leader Kevin McCarthy, you will still see a number of media stories critical of India, mostly driven by obsolete prejudices, old biases and in part a tinge of jealousy that the rising power of Indian Americans and India poses a threat to a Eurocentric basis of looking at the world.

Despite this, remember that in addition to Yoga, many other values unite the two largest democracies in the world.

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Footnote.

A sampling of events marking Yoga Day across the United States

??????????New York City: The Yoga Journal will host a free yoga festival in Central Park on June 21st. The festival will feature classes for all levels, as well as music, food, and vendors.

??????????Los Angeles: The Annenberg Community Beach House will host a free yoga class on the beach on June 21st. The class will be led by a certified yoga instructor and will be open to all levels.

??????????Chicago: The Millennium Park will host a free yoga class on June 21st. The class will be led by a certified yoga instructor and will be open to all levels.

??????????San Francisco: The Golden Gate Park will host a free yoga class on June 21st. The class will be led by a certified yoga instructor and will be open to all levels.

·????Disney:??More than 1,700 Disney workers spread out their yoga mats in front of Cinderella’s Castle in Florida, while another 1,000 workers started their morning with yoga in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Resort in California.

?·??Orlando: Yoga instructors from the Crosby Wellness Center in the Orlando, Area come together to celebrate with intention

??·?The Consulate General of India and?the Council of Heritage and Arts of India, have organized a Yoga event in Niagara Falls, New York

??·?Irvine California: Yoga Six? will offer free classes, giveaways, and other activities all month long to welcome and inspire yogis of all levels.

?· Mayfield, Ohio: will also play host, on June 21, to an International Day of Yoga event. “This is mainly about getting people together; We’ll do a good amount of yoga, but it’s more of a social event.”

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