The first International Yoga Day will be celebrated on June 21, 2015. Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice, seeking unison of mind and body, that originated in India. International Yoga Day would be celebrated across the globe and in India celebrations will be led by PM Modi at Rajpath, New Delhi. Baba Ramdev along with other yoga gurus would be performing asanas. The event is expected to see a record participation of around 37000 people as they take to the yoga mats. On our recent visit to the capital we witnessed the preparations being done around India Gate-Rajpath area. Huge billboards all over the city were a constant reminder of the approaching celebrations.

International Yoga Day –  How it Started

UN proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga recognizing that yoga provides a holistic approach to health and well-being and also that wider dissemination of information about the benefits of practicing yoga would be beneficial for the health of the world population. Prime Minister Modi had proposed for the International Yoga Day at his UN General Assembly meet in 2014 which saw the support of 175 nations. In his speech at the UN General Assembly, Prime Minister Modi had said,

“Yoga is an invaluable gift of our ancient tradition. Yoga 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.”

Amazing facts of the event to be held

35,000 officials, soldiers and students to participate in the main event on Rajpath in Delhi, PM Narendra Modi to attend. 650 of India’s 676 districts participating. Of the 193 UN member countries, celebrations will be held in 192 countries – the exception is Yemen, because of the conflict there. Events being held in 251 cities in six continents. 30,000 people to perform yoga in Times Square in New York.

The Impact

The International Yoga Day has put yoga in spotlight at a global level. With millions of yoga practitioners worldwide it promises to become multi-billion dollar market in the form of health clinics, ayurveda resorts, holiday camps and corporate training. In fact, a Bengaluru-based yoga wear startup called Proyog has tapped into the opportunity and plans to launch its products on International Yoga Day. It claims to be the only company in the world to use core-spun technology in yoga wear. There is a rise in demand for trained Yoga instructors too to deal with lifestyle stress. According to a recent study conducted by ASSOCHAM, the demand for such trainers is likely to grow by 30-35% in the next couple of years. As per the paper released by ASSOCHAM Health Council, events like ‘International Yoga Day’ will also give way to ‘Yoga Tourism’ in India.  

INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY IN NOIDA

A grand celebration is planned in the city on 21st June to mark the first International Yoga Day at the Noida Stadium. Around 2000 people are expected to participate in the event. Trainers from Art of Living center of spirituality are guiding people at the Noida Stadium in their 3-day long ‘Yoga Daan Shivir’. Dr Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State of Culture and Tourism & Civil Aviation would be the chief guest for the occasion. Rehearsals at Noida stadium are underway every morning from 5-7am and 6-8pm in the evening.

In a run-up to the International Yoga Day celebrations, Noida has seen various Yoga Camps held at the Sector Parks and Community Centers organized by different yoga organizations. These voluntary organizations have taken upon themselves to connect people and spread awareness about the benefits of yoga. Recently a five-day Yoga Camp was organized in sector 31 park by Yog Sadhna Kendra. This organization also conducts free yoga classes in Sector 36 park regularly every morning.

Noida Authority in association with Samachar Plus has planned first ‘Raahgiri Noida’ on Sunday morning to mark the International Yoga Day celebrations. People will perform yoga, relax and enjoy sports, dance, music and many other health and fitness activities. Similar on the lines of Delhi Raahgiri, it will be held every Sunday from 5-9am on the sector 18 Main Road opposite to The Great India Place Mall.

How did you celebrate the International Yoga Day? Do let us know in the comments section below. If you find this post useful share it with your friends and family on social network using sharing buttons on the website.

Related links
UN Resolution for International Yoga Day
International Day of Yoga dedicated website
Top 5 Things to Do in Noida on June 20-21