International Day of Yoga: 21 June, and how you can mark the occasion
Tuesday, 21st June, marks the second annual International Day of Yoga. The International Day embraces the yoga phenomenon, which has evolved from an ancient religious ritual in India, and continues to grow in popularity around the world as a modern form of exercise and lifestyle.
The concept for the day was proposed by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 69th session of the UN General Assembly and was endorsed by a record 175 member states. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said:
Yoga is an invaluable gift from our ancient tradition. Yoga embodies unity of mind and body, thought and action… a holistic approach [that] is valuable to our health and our well-being. Yoga is not just about exercise; it is a way to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature.
Following this, the United Nations announced the official date for International Yoga Day on the 11 December 2014, with the first International Day of Yoga held just last year on 21st June 2015.
As the second annual International Day of Yoga will be upon us in under a week, Yogis and yoga enthusiasts all around the world will converged in places like Times Square in New York and Sydney Opera House in Sydney, or right here in Kuala Lumpur at Merdeka Square.
Whether you’re a fanatical Yogi, a newbie, or somewhere in between, here’s five ways to mark International Yoga Day:
1. Join yogis and yoga enthusiasts at Merdeka Square
Yogis, yoga enthusiasts and newcomers alike will gather for an International Yoga Day event at Dataran Merdeka on 19th June, a few days before the official date. It all begins at 6.30 am. The event will start with a sun salutation before bending and stretching into numerous poses, while practising breathing exercises and meditation.
People interested in participating can register for free on Maamandram’s website. For more information, you can call Maamandram’s on 03-22606016 or join the event on Facebook.
2. Sign up for yoga classes (if you’re new to it)
If you’re interested in yoga but you’ve never participated in a class, could there be a better day to put your foot down and register? There are numerous gyms in KL that hold yoga classes such as C.H.I, Fitness First, Jatomi Fitness, Fitology and True Fitness.
3. Try other sorts of yoga (if you’re a pro)
If you’re looking to heat things up in the exercise department, you can delve into the style of hot yoga, also known as Bikram, or defy gravity with aerial yoga or AntiGravity yoga.
AntiGravity Yoga involves a series of exercises inspired by yoga, calisthenics and aerial acrobats that are performed on an apparatus similar to a hammock. Bikram yoga is a style of yoga that is performed in a room with hot and humid conditions. Both of these classes are available at selected Fitness First gyms, and hot yoga is also available at True Fitness.
4. Go on a yoga retreat
A yoga retreat is an intentional period of time away from normal activities and daily routine, whereby a person can focus on practicing yoga. Many people participate in these retreats to deepen their practice, learn about yoga, and/or to simply relax and rejuvenate.
A plus point is that you don’t have to go halfway around the world to participate in one. Langkawi is the home to a number of yoga retreats, and while I’m sure there’s no question why, its beautiful beaches set the scene for peaceful experience.
Still unsure but want to learn more?
If you’re looking to gain insight about the practice of yoga and associated lifestyle, or just can’t get enough of yoga in whichever form it comes, there are a variety of books on the subject, including some inspirational stories of the yoga lifestyle.
If you’re new to yoga, Yoga For Dummies by Georg Feuerstein and Larry Payne could be a suitable read for those interested in theoretical yoga practice. In ‘Do Your Om Thing: Bending Yoga Tradition to Fit Your Modern Life’ author Rebecca Pacheco discusses how she fits yoga into her daily grind. While Rachel Brathen shares her story about her transition from her self-destructive teenage years to her current lifestyle that is enriched by the practice of yoga and meditation in ‘Yoga Girl.’
"ExpatGo welcomes and encourages comments, input, and divergent opinions. However, we kindly request that you use suitable language in your comments, and refrain from any sort of personal attack, hate speech, or disparaging rhetoric. Comments not in line with this are subject to removal from the site. "
