Bengaluru: Yoga enthusiasts, advanced learners and beginners alike from over 156 countries joined in the celebrations of the second International Day of Yoga with The Art of Living. People from different backgrounds, cultures and social strata experienced the universality of Yoga not just as a physical exercise but as a total union of body, mind and spirit.
To mark the occasion, yoga sessions based on the common yoga protocol were held in prisons, corporate offices (about 1000 locations), on cargo ships, schools for specially-abled children, the Indo-Pak border, public parks, and many different locations. In India, one-month-long free yoga camps concluded in over all major districts. These camps were held in partnership with the Central Council of Research in Yoga and Naturopathy.
In a moment of pride for Indians, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of The Art of Living inaugurated the International Day of Yoga Celebrations at the European Parliament, Brussels. He interacted with parliament members in a Q&A session and through a guided meditation at the prestigious Yehudi Menuhin Hall.
Gurudev will also lead a series of public events on the importance and relevance of meditation in the cities of Washington DC, Boston, Columbus, Minnesota, San Francisco, Portland and Seattle. He recently toured the United Kingdom, with a special event, Meditation 2.0, at the Royal Albert Hall. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, David Cameroon, joined the event via web-streaming.
As a prelude to the celebrations, The Art of Living initiated the 'Sun Never Sets on Yoga' campaign where Yoga enthusiasts from all over the world performed Sun Salutations at the strike of dawn in front of prominent landmarks from all over the globe including the India Gate; The Art of Living International Center, Bengaluru; Bandra-Worli Sea link, Mumbai; Chittorgarh Fort; Zahran Palace, Jordan); Patan Durbar Square, Nepal; Lion City, Singapore; Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong and other locations in Lebanon, Belarus, Russia, New Zealand, Bhutan, Taiwan and Kazakhstan; hallmarking the comprehensiveness of this ancient technique.
