Venu Menon
Wellington, June 21,2024
The Banquet Hall of Parliament turned into a yoga studio as the High Commission of India in Wellington marked International Day of Yoga 2024 .
The Art of Living Foundation, New Zealand, collaborated in the event, which was held in Parliament on June 19.
Enthusiasts, young and old, spread their mats for a session of supervised yoga led by a faculty member of the Art of Living Foundation.
Members of Parliament Ginny Andersen and Ingrid Leary, both yoga practitioners, addressed the gathering, with Andersen opening on a candid note that Parliament was “one of the worst environments for wellbeing,” where the practice of yoga was obviously needed.
“Yoga is such an important tool to make the most of what we have and have been given,” she said.
Ingrid Leary thanked India for giving the world the gift of yoga. She cited studies that showed that “basic wellbeing, including sleep, movement and good nutrition, and social connection, are the building blocks for mental wellbeing.”
There were also studies that showed the benefits of yoga in “taking care of our own bodies.”
High Commissioner of India to New Zealand Neeta Bhushan described yoga as a global movement endorsed by the United Nations. She noted the initiative of the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) to facilitate the training of yoga teachers from the Pacific Islands region.
The 10th edition of International Day of Yoga was especially heartwarming as it showed that the “ancient Indian heritage of yoga is embraced today by all cultures and continents of the world.”
This year’s theme was ‘Yoga for Self and Society.’
High Commissioner Bhushan said yoga was now established as a universal remedy for the world’s challenges, such as conflicts, climate crisis, national calamities, as well as lifestyle illnesses including anxiety, depression, insomnia, hypertension and diabetes.
Yoga had opened a pathway to “peace and contentment” by enhancing physical and mental health, which was backed by science, High Commissioner Bhushan noted.
Emcee Ishant Ghulyani wrapped up by inviting Kulbhushan Joshi, senior faculty of the Art of Living Foundation in New Zealand, to address the audience.
Joshi said yoga was an “absolutely essential tool for mental health.”
He described yoga as a transformational force for both individuals and communities.
“In today’s fast-paced world, mental challenges are rampant. Yet the solution lies within us. When we adopt ancient techniques such as Yoga Breathwork, Sudarshan Kriya, and meditation, we unlock the key to a calmer, more harmonious state of mind. This is achieved through the spiritual science of yoga. Practising and promoting yoga fosters a global community grounded in peace and understanding.”
Art of Living yoga instructor Sahana Vishakanta rounded off by taking the assembly through a session of yoga.
Venu Menon is an Indian Newslink reporter based in Wellington
