Yoga, a transformative practice, represents the harmony of mind and body, the balance between thought and action, and the unity of restraint and fulfillment. It integrates the body, mind, spirit, and soul, offering a holistic approach to health and well-being that brings peace to our hectic lives. Its power to transform is what we celebrate on this special day.
On December 11, 2014, the United Nations General Assembly designated June 21 as the International Day of Yoga. Since then, millions of people around the globe, united by the practice of yoga, have celebrated this day each year. This global celebration fosters unity and harmony, transcends borders and cultures, and brings us closer to a world of peace and well-being. Last year, the International Day of Yoga celebration at the United Nations Headquarters created a Guinness World Record for the participation of yoga enthusiasts of most nationalities.
This year marks the 10th International Day of Yoga, a celebration that welcomes and values the participation of all. Organized by the Permanent Mission of India to the UN in collaboration with the UN Secretariat, the event will take place at the North Lawn Area of the UNHQ, with the theme "Yoga for Self and Society”. Attendees will include delegates from UN Member States, UN officials and staff, and notable individuals from various fields in New York. The goal is to transform yoga into a widespread movement that emphasizes well-being and promotes global health and peace.
The Permanent Mission of India in New York will be commemorating the 7th International Day of Yoga on June 21, 2021. The celebrations will be marked at a time when COVID-19 pandemic continues to upend lives and livelihoods of people globally.
Beyond its immediate impact on the physical health, the COVID-19 pandemic has also exacerbated psychological suffering and mental health problems, including depression and anxiety, as pandemic-related restrictions continue in various forms in many countries. This has highlighted the urgent need to address the mental health dimension of the pandemic, in addition to the physical health aspects.
The message of Yoga in promoting – both physical and mental well-being of humanity – has never been more relevant. A growing trend of people around the world embracing Yoga to stay healthy and rejuvenated and to fight social isolation and depression has been witnessed during the pandemic. Yoga is also playing a significant role in the psycho-social care and rehabilitation of COVID-19 patients in quarantine and isolation. They are particularly useful in allaying their fears and anxiety.
Recognizing this important role of Yoga, this year’s commemoration of the International Day of Yoga will be focused on “Yoga for well-being”, i.e. how practice of Yoga can promote holistic health of every individual. The celebrations will commence with messages from the President of the United Nations General Assembly and the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, which will be followed by demonstrations of Yoga exercises (asanas) to improve physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health and an Interactive panel discussion on “Yoga for well-being”.
The event will be webcast LIVE on June 21, 2021 from 0830 hrs (EDT) on UN Web TV (http://webtv.un.org/) and the social media pages of the Permanent Mission of India. IDY 2021 celebrations are supported by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and the State Bank of India, New York.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF YOGA 2021
(Monday, June 21, 2021)
0830 hrs EDT
Introduction by anchor
0832 hrs EDT
Remarks by Permanent Representative of India H.E Ambassador T.S. Tirumurti
0835 hrs EDT
Remarks by President of General Assembly H.E. Mr. Volkan Bozkir
0840 hrs EDT
Remarks by Deputy Secretary General H.E. Mrs. Amina J. Mohammed
0845 hrs EDT
Ashtanga Yoga Lecture Demonstration by Eddie Stern and his students
0930 hrs EDT
Interactive Dialogue on "Yoga for well-being" with Nouf Al Marwaai, President of Saudi Yoga Committee under the Ministry of Sports, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Dr. Krishna Raman, Founder of MediYoga, India
1000 hrs EDT
Closing remarks by the anchor
Yoga Lecture Demonstration
by Eddie Stern
Eddie Stern is a Yoga teacher, author, and lecturer from New York City. He has been practicing Yoga since 1987, and ran his school in SoHo from 1993-2019. In the late 1990’s and early 2000’s the school became a focal point for Ashtanga Yoga in New York, with an eclectic mix of downtown artists and spiritual seekers practicing and meditating next to each other. Eddie has a passion for seeking out diversity in all aspects of his work, and uses a multidisciplinary combination of technology, scientific research and collaboration to help further understanding, education and access to yoga. He continues to study philosophy, Sanskrit, ritual, science and religion, as well as maintain a passion for the daily practice of Yoga.
Interactive Dialogue on "Yoga and Well-being"
Panelist
Nouf Marwaai
Nouf Marwaai is a Yoga instructor from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. She started practicing yoga in 1998 because of her health issues and has been practicing for more than 20 years. Nouf is the first certified yoga teacher in Saudi Arabia and the founder of Arab Yoga Foundation. She was awarded India's fourth highest civilian award - Padma Shri Award, by the President of India in recognition of her efforts in popularizing yoga in the Arab region. She has served in various positions of prominence, including Advisor in Asian Yoga Federation (2012), Member on Advisory board of World Yoga Council Europe (2015) etc. She is currently President of Saudi Yoga Committee under the Ministry of Sports of Saudi Arabia.
Interactive Dialogue on "Yoga and Well-being"
Panelist
Dr. Krishna Raman
Dr. Krishna Raman MBBS, FCCP has been practising yoga since the age of 14 years.
A graduate in Medicine from Madras Medical College, Chennai, he is a pioneer in integrating western medicine with Yoga for Orthopaedic pain management.
He has authored two books on Yoga - “A Matter of Health-Integration of Yoga and Western Medicine for Prevention and cure” and “Yoga and Medical Science : FAQ”. In these books, he has shattered unscientific claims and myths about yoga with adequate medical evidence.
Interactive Dialogue on "Yoga and Well-being"
Moderator:
Reverend Sam Rudra Swartz
Reverend Rudra became a student of Sri Swami Satchidananda in 2001. Since then he has been an active member of the Integral Yoga organization, and the Integral Yoga Institute of New York. He completed Hatha Yoga Teacher Training with Integral Yoga Institue of San Francisco. He previously served as a director of Camp Yogaville, a Children’s Yoga Camp for 8 summers. Rudra graduated from Boston University’s College of Fine Arts and is an active musician.
