Consulate Genl of Atlanta: International Day of Yoga
The International Day of Yoga
This event is supported by a host of organizations.
The event features a myriad of yoga presentations, meditations, and other programs.
Message from the Indian Consulate of Atlanta:
"Join us in promoting an important part of our heritage and culture which is bringing pride for us all over the world - Mark your calender June 21st, 2015
INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY CELEBRATIONS — with Gurmeet Ahuja and Nagesh Singh."
Message from the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C.:
Addressing the UN General Assembly on 27 September 2014, the Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi had outlined a vision for the International Day of Yoga. He said: "Yoga is an invaluable gift of India's ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help us deal with climate change. Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day."
India's draft Resolution in the United Nations General Assembly received broad support from 177 Member States, including USA, and the draft text was adopted without a vote on December 11, 2014. Hence, June 21, 2015 is the first International Day of Yoga. Government of India has planned to celebrate the First International Day of Yoga in all the countries around the world, including USA.
Message from IDYAtlanta.org:
Yoga is a 5,000-year-old physical, mental, and spiritual practice having its origin in India, which aims to transform both body and mind. ... In suggesting June 21, which is the Summer Solstice, as the International Day of Yoga, Mr. Modi had said that "the date is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and has special significance in many parts of the world. "... It had the "highest number of co-sponsors ever for any UNGA Resolution of such nature." --IDYAtlanta.org
In Partnership with The Art of living, Isha Yoga, Sewa International, Gayatri Pariwar Atlanta, Hindu Temple of Atlanta, Vedic Temple, HSS, Patanjali Yog Peeth, World Association for Vedic Studies, India Awareness Foundation Atlanta, VT Seva, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, Georgia Tamil Sangam, Vydya.com, IACA, Greater Atlanta Telugu Association, American Telugu Association, Telugu Association of Metro Atlanta, Maharashtra Mandal of Atlanta (MMA), North American Telugu Association, TANA, OVBI, Greater Atlanta Telangana Society, BAJA
Date: Sunday, June 21, 2015.
Time: 9am Register: http://idyatlanta.org
Venue: Heritage Sandy Springs Park, 6110 Blue Stone Rd NE, Atlanta GA 30328
Contact: Ravi Ponangi 404-644-7521, IDYAtlanta.org
COME! LET’S JOIN TO PRACTICE YOGA
ALL SET TO CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF YOGA
By Ravi R Ponangi
Atlanta, GA: Community organizations, yoga studios and yoga enthusiasts joined Consulate General of India in Atlanta to celebrate the first International day of yoga on Sunday, June 21 from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm at Heritage Sandy Springs Park, 6110 Blue Stone Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30328. Arrangements are on a higher gear with all necessary preparations.
Briefing the media, R. Srinivasan, Consul of consulate general of India in Atlanta informed that the International day of yoga celebration would bring together a large number of elected officials and institutions to perform yoga and actively participate in free yoga sessions with demonstration of yoga postures by yoga teachers. He said the international day of yoga event at Heritage Sandy Springs Park is free and open to the public. He appealed interested participants to register online for free at the event website (http://idyatlanta.org) for participation.
Programs are well planned by various committees constituted for the purpose. The very first International day of yoga events promise to appeal to all. Preparatory meetings and brain storm sessions were held for the last 8 weeks in consulate and other places. Ajay Houde of Seva international led the community to get together all participating organizations under the aegis of the Atlanta consulate. All participating organizations, Art of living, Isha yoga, Seva international, HSS, VHPA, Hindu temple of Atlanta, Vedic temple, Patanjali yoga, IACA, IPN, IAF, TAMA, Gandhi foundation of USA, Vydya, BAPS etc., are making arrangements for the grand event. All participating organizations met last Saturday, June 6 at consulate to take stock of the preparations and performed dry run at the event venue Heritage Sandy Springs Park on Sunday, June 7. All participating organizations will be meeting again at the consulate on Saturday evening, June 20 and the dry run in the morning.
The Indian Consulate in Atlanta has planned the following activities for the celebration: Common Yoga Protocol/demonstration of common asanas; AUM Chanting; Guided meditation; Benefits of yoga for certain medical conditions; Surya Namaskar with Music; Yoga for seniors; Techniques of Praanaayaama; Importance of Yoga.
The UN General Assembly had last year overwhelmingly adopted a draft resolution, declaring June 21 as International Yoga Day. A record 177 countries had co-sponsored the resolution. The idea for declaring an International Day of Yoga at the United Nations was formally proposed by Prime Minister Modi in his maiden address to the 69th General Assembly session in September last year. He had indicated that 21 June, one of the two solstices, which is the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere, has special significance in many parts of the world, and could be considered, for adoption as the International Day of Yoga by the United Nations each year.
Yoga has always intrigued the West, but now high-profile fitness freaks have their own gurus and patronize yoga centers that have sprung up everywhere. Yoga is being sold as a mantra that can alleviate suffering and achieve “balance” to combat stress.
In India, the country of its origin, it is being looked at with renewed interest and is emerging as a dynamic new-age exercise. Practiced for over 5,000 years, yoga is a peaceful approach to mind body interaction. It is practiced to help integrate physical health with mental balance with an understanding of the world. Yoga is the new buzzword the world over. People from all walks of life; men and woman of all ages are showing interest in the practice of yoga. According to a recent survey, 20 million people practice yoga in America alone. More than 200 fitness centers have introduced yoga in and around Atlanta; besides other yoga learning centers at various community centers, temples and private yoga instructors. Yoga programs involve simple postures, meditation and powerful ways of transforming one’s energies to empower optimum performance in all areas of life. The practices are a proven tool for preventive and curative health, and have helped relieve many people from chronic diseases like asthma, hypertension, diabetes and arthritis. It is never too late to get started.
