International Yoga Day is June 21st - How will you celebrate?
June 21 is the first ever International Yoga Day, declared by the United Nations General Assembly on December 11, 2014. This day also coincides with the Summer Solstice, an important day culturally and historically for many nations around the world.
Yoga, a 6,000+-year-old physical, mental and spiritual practice having its origin in India, aims to transform the body and the mind. As the catalyst behind the event, India is planning a massive yoga class, with a world record attempt. The goal is to break TWO world records at once: the largest yoga class in history and a yoga class with the most people from one nationality in one lesson. The current record for the world's largest yoga class is 29,973 people. This will almost double that size! The plan is for a 35 minute class, near the India Gate, in New Delhi, with potentially 45,000 people participating! You can see it broadcasted live in over 100 countries around the world.
Meanwhile, in the U.S., events are being held everywhere. New York’s Times Square will host the United Nations celebration of International Yoga Day, which includes a solstice celebration, in Times Square. There will be a live feed of the event, which can be accessed here
In Washington, DC, the Friends of Yoga and the Embassy of India will host yoga talks, demonstrations, classes, dances, and musical performances at the National Mall.
Many cities, well over 100, plan to host Yogathons, with round-robin type classes being taught by multiple teachers.
In Western Europe many cities are planning events as well. Vienna, Austria, will have a yoga session in Sigmund Freud Park, hosted by Yoga Mystery School; London will play host to the Om Yoga Show at Alexandra Palace; and according to the Economic Times, India plans to organize a “mega” event in Madrid with the cooperation of the Spanish government and 12 yoga schools. The Indian mission in Madrid will offer a yoga master class at the Plaza de Colón, in addition to a yoga conference at the Buena Vista Cultural Center.
In the opposite hemisphere, Australia is planning World Yoga Day celebrations at its famous Bondi Beach which will include yoga classes, meditation, cultural activities, and panel discussions.
However you plan to celebrate the first ever International Yoga Day on June 21, you certainly will have many options!
At Korsi Yoga, we are offering a special SUP Yoga workshop at Lake Lanier on Saturday, June 20, from 1:00 - 3:00 (SIGN UP) and also a 90 minute restorative Yoga class for FREE on Sunday, June 21, at our studio at 10:00am (SIGN UP). Sign up is mandatory, as space is limited.
