Embrace yoga as way of life: Narendra Modi

In Geneva, the Permanent Mission of India in collaboration with the United Nations Office at Geneva organised a special event in the historic Palais des Nations building (United Nations’ Building) on June 19, 2016 as part of celebrations to mark the observance of the 2nd International Day of Yoga.

People from all ages-10,000 each from Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana-performed yoga asanas on pink and blue mats.

PM Modi said that yoga was a way to know oneself in this world and hence applicable for everyone, while religion is for the after life.

In December 2014, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution with a record number of 177 co-sponsoring member states to declare June 21 as the International Day of Yoga.

The world welcomed the second International Day of Yoga on Tuesday morning with folded palms.

The yoga-loving Modi, dressed in a white tracksuit, led more than 30,000 people in the northern city of Chandigarh in a mass session, where they performed poses and breathing exercises at the outdoor Capitol Complex. Over 96,000 people had registered themselves to take part in the event in Chandigarh.

With the United Nations proclaiming an global day for it, yoga now belongs to everybody and all the Indian teachers and gurus must understand that they have to remove the cultural elements attached to yoga.

The event will include a musical incantation on yoga and British singer Tanya Wells will recite Sanskrit shlokas.

Since taking office, the premier has set up a ministry dedicated to promoting yoga and traditional Indian treatments, and started free lessons for his government’s three million bureaucrats and their families. Its importance can be realized from the fact that thousands took part in a mass yoga session at Madison Square and more important Baba Ramdev conducted a class for Muslim women in Dubai, some of whom carried out yogic poses under his guidance wearing a burkha.

Mexicans practice yoga during an open air yoga event organised by the city government at Reforma Avenue in Mexico City. Sadhguru will participate in the event.

Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India and is now practiced in various forms around the world.

Looking from other side, yoga has also helped India in expanding its soft power. Further, PM also addresses to the people that yoga helps in maintaining to lead a disciplined life.