The Indian Embassy in the US held a Yoga session in Washington, DC ahead of the 10th International Day of Yoga. The event, which took place on Thursday at The Wharf in Washington, DC, saw a large turnout.
Sripriya Ranganathan, the Deputy Ambassador at the Indian Embassy in the US, highlighted India’s role in promoting yoga globally. “The role that India has played in bringing this centre stage, taking it to the UN and making this a day in which we come together to recognize the power of yoga and to recognize how yoga can add value to our lives and how yoga is very contemporary,” she said.
The International Day of Yoga has been celebrated worldwide on June 21 every year since its adoption by the United Nations in 2014.
Ranganathan emphasized the ancient roots of yoga, stating, “It’s an ancient tradition. It’s a wellness tradition that goes back 5000, 6000 years, but it remains so current.”
She also noted the growing appreciation for yoga and its integration into families, communities, and institutions. “There is far more of an appreciation of the value of yoga. It’s become really a part of every family, every community, every institution to start thinking about how yoga can bring value to their lives and to help the members of that community and their families in dealing with the challenges that we face in the world today,” she told ANI.
Ranganathan observed that young people and students are increasingly embracing yoga as a holistic tradition. “I see wherever I go in the US that young people, students, particularly kids in college…are very involved in this. Initially, they come in in terms of seeing this as a physical fitness tradition. But I think they move on very quickly to see what a wholesome and holistic tradition,” she said.
This year, the embassy partnered with various organizations across the US to make the celebrations almost a month-long event. “We just tied up and partnered with so many organizations around the country. This is what we are doing in DC. What our consulates are doing all around the country. We have really been able to reach out so much more and make this almost a month-long celebration. It’s not just the day, but it’s the entire month in which we are bringing yoga centre stage in terms of our outreach to the community,” Ranganathan added.
One participant, Michael, expressed his excitement about the 10th International Day of Yoga and the community aspect of the celebration. “I think yoga really signifies bringing your body and mind at peace with the world around you. And as we heard earlier today, I think that that is something that is most needed today. And so again, happy to be here to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Yoga. And hopefully, we can use this as a way to bring about more peace and harmony between us,” Michael said.
This year’s theme, “Yoga for Self and Society,” underscores the dual role of yoga in enhancing both individual and societal well-being.
