3rd. International Day of Yoga at the UNHQ, NY

On the occasion of the 3rd International Day of Yoga, the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations in association with the World Health Organization and the Department of Public Information, United Nations, hosted a special conversation titled ‘Yoga for Health’ on Wednesday, June 21st.

The event began with a short video on the benefits of Yoga, not only to lifestyles of practicing individuals but also acknowledging the strong support it offers to modern medicine in providing holistic heath care.

Dr. Nata Manabde, Executive Director, WHO, New York Office in her opening remarks said that yoga was not limited to physical exercises, but it transcends physical activity to integrate the mind, body and soul. It is our ability to feel connected with our minds, nature and planet. “It is a journey of the self, to the self, and through the self”, she said. She highlighted its power as a uniting force, relevant to all ages and cultures across the world as well as its important role in curing non- communicable diseases and chronic diseases, which are a result of our lifestyle choices.

This was followed by two enlightening panel discussions with Yoga Masters and Practitioners from around the world, moderated by Dr. Bruce H. Lipton, renowned biologist and author. The first panel comprised of Swami Chidanand Saraswati, President and Spiritual Head of the Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh, India, Sadhvi Bhagwati Saraswati, also from Parmarth Niketan, and Keith Mitchell, former NFL Football Player.

Swamiji inspired the audience to delve into silence by sharing some of his own experiences as a young seeker. “Silence is not empty, it is full of serenity and peace”, he said. “The choice is ours, whether to be in peace or in pieces, we can be set or upset, bitter or better. From medication to meditation. Yoga is the way.”

The second panel comprised of Anupam Kher, popular Bollywood Actor and Social Activist, Stanton Kawer, Chairman and CEO, Blue Chip Marketing Worldwide, and Swami Sivadasananda, Yoga Teacher Yoga and Director of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres in Europe.

Anupam Kher beautifully described yoga in practice as taught by his grandfather: “Real Yoga is to be happy with whatever God gave us. We were a poor family with 14 members living in one house, we were taught that whenever we bang into each other, we must hug each other, and breathe. This was how we did yoga in practice.”

The Brahma Kumaris were represented by BK Karuna, visiting from Mount Abu, India on a special invitation from Swami Chidanand Saraswati, along with Julia Grindon-Welch, Sabita Geer, Madhavi Patale, Rona Schweitz, Shashank Mittal and Hemlata Sanghi of Brahma Kumaris, Trinidad. There was also an opportunity to meet and engage with the speakers after the event.