9th International Day of Yoga 2023

Yoga embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. Yoga brings about peace in this modern, fast-paced life by combining the body, mind, spirit and soul.

The United Nations General Assembly, on December 11, 2014, adopted a unanimous resolution declaring June 21 as the International Day of Yoga. Since then, millions of people have participated in the celebrations of yoga every year worldwide.

This year, the Permanent Mission of India to the UN, in collaboration with the UN Secretariat, is organizing the 9th International Day of Yoga at the North Lawn Area of the UNHQ, under the theme “Yoga for Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam” [Yoga for ‘The World is One Family’]. Delegates from the UN Member States, Officials and staff of the UN secretariat as well as eminent persons from all walks of life in New York, will be participating in the event. 

For further information, please write to sc2.pminy@mea.gov.in.

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.

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.

 

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