Wellington based Indian High Commission will lead New Zealanders in celebrating ‘International Day of Yoga’ on June 21, 2015.
The programme, scheduled to be held at 9 am at the Wellington Indian Association located at 48 Kemp Street in Kilbirnie, will witness live demonstration by yoga teachers representing a number of organisation.
More than 170 countries across the Continents will conduct similar programmes on that day, designated by the UN General Assembly following a resolution adopted on December 11, 2014. The move followed the suggestion made by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address at the Assembly on September 27, 2014, his first since assuming office on May 26, 2014.
India’s invaluable Gift
He said that Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition.
“It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfilment; 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,” he said.
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.
Spiritual Connection
From the perspective of Yoga, the Summer Solstice marks the transition to Dakshinayana.
The first full moon after Summer Solstice is known as Guru Poornima.
According to Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, in the Yogic lore, the first transmission of Yoga by Shiva, the first Guru, is said to have begun on this day.
Dakshinayana is also considered a time when there is natural support for those pursuing spiritual practices.
There is no date available to fix that First Day but it is believed that Yoga dates back at least 6000 years when Rishis and Gurus practiced and taught Yoga as the best way of transforming the human body and mind into a state of wellbeing and bliss.
Rare Insights
India’s High Commissioner to New Zealand Ravi Thapar said that the forthcoming event will provide insights into Yoga.
“The programme will also emphasise the relevance of Yoga in managing stress and optimising physical and mental fitness for addressing the compelling professional and personal routine which modern life entails,” he said.
For registration and other details, please visit www.hicomind.org.nz/yoga.
Prior to the 2014 UN resolution declaring June 21 as International Day of Yoga, formal and informal groups of yoga teachers and enthusiasts celebrated World Yoga Day on other days in support of various causes.
Sri Ravi Shankar
In December 2011, international humanitarian and meditation and yoga Guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and other Yoga Gurus, supported the cause from the delegation of the Yoga Portuguese Confederation and together called on the UN to declare June 21 as International Yoga Day.
“It is very difficult for any philosophy, religion or culture to survive without state patronage. Yoga has existed so far almost like an orphan. Now, official recognition by the UN would further spread the benefit of yoga to the entire world,” Mr Ravi Shankar said.
The Art of Living Foundation Centres in New Zealand will join their global counterparts in marking June 21 as the ‘International Yoga Day.’
As we prepared this Report, New Zealand Indian Central Association, Auckland Indian Association and others have announced similar initiatives on June 21 at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre, 145, New North Road, Eden Terrace, Central Auckland.
Editor’s Note: If an organisation or group with which you are connected is organising a similar programme, please email editor@indiannewslink.co.nz on or before June 8, 2015 so that we could promote it in our next (June 15, 2015) issue.
