A survey back in 2012 indicated that more than 20 millions people who practice yoga in the United States. Although the number of practitioners in various yoga methods has been increasing around the world, June 21 of 2015 was the first time the world celebrated the tradition of yoga.
The declaration of this day came after the call for the adoption of 21 June as International Day of Yoga by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address to UN General Assembly on September 27, 2014:“Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition. This tradition is 5000 years old. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfilment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help us deal with climate change. Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day.”
With much excitement Seattle Iyengar Yoga Studio (SIYS) joined the world to celebrate this special day with more than twenty students. For 90 minutes, the owner and main teacher Shaw-Jiun Wang led a practice consisting of almost all the poses that Geeta Iyengar provided for the Iyengar Yoga community including chanting and the invocation to Sage Patanjali. Another teacher Huijung Campbell concluded the practice with a couple of inverted poses and Svasana (Corpse Pose). After the practice, we mingled at a casual community potluck. The spirit of friendliness and sense of community showed how significant the day meant to all of us.
NAMASTE!
Watch Mr. Iyengar’s earlier asana practice
Guruji’s Final Photos
http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2015/06/21/bks-iyengar_n_7540242.html
Celebration in India
Celebration in France
Celebration in other parts of U.S.A