London [UK]June 23: The Commonwealth Secretariat in collaboration with the Embassy of India to the UK and Heartfulness Worldwide organised a special yoga session at Marlborough House to mark the 10th International Day of Yoga on Saturday.
Members of the diplomatic community took part in a yoga session at Marlborough House on Saturday. “The event, which was attended by members of the diplomatic community, is part of the global Yoga 4 Unity initiative, which highlights the benefits of yoga in promoting physical and mental wellbeing,” the Commonwealth said in a press release.
The opening session of the event featured a video message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in which he said, “The world is looking at yoga as a powerful tool for global good. Yoga helps us realise that our well-being is linked to the well-being of the world around us.”
After the opening session, participants took part in yoga and meditation sessions led by experienced instructors. They also viewed an exhibit titled “The History and Benefits of Yoga,” showcasing the rich traditions of yoga, according to a Commonwealth press release.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland said in a video message that yoga offers people a unique tool for self-examination and the pursuit of “healthier, more balanced lives”.
Patricia Scotland KC said, “Our work is full of challenges and no one can pour from an empty cup. Yoga offers a special vehicle for self-analysis and the pursuit of a healthier, more balanced life. This ancient tradition serves as a key tool in improving the physical and mental health of people around the world and is essential to our ongoing efforts to combat non-communicable diseases.”
Vikram Doraiswami, High Commissioner of India to the UK, said yoga promotes holistic physical and mental wellbeing and connects people across borders across the world.
“Yoga connects people across the world across boundaries and promotes holistic physical and mental wellbeing. The theme of the 10th International Day of Yoga is ‘Yoga for Self and Society’, highlighting the importance of yoga in promoting global health and universal harmony. Through yoga, we can collectively contribute towards a more peaceful, connected and sustainable world,” Doraiswamy said.
Kamlesh D Patel (Daji), Heartfulness Worldwide, said, “Yoga is not just exercise. It is a complete science that transforms us and gives us self-confidence, mental clarity and a sense of well-being. I am delighted that you all have come together at Marlborough House to celebrate the 10th International Day of Yoga. This is the first time that the Commonwealth is celebrating.”
The 10th International Day of Yoga coincides with the Commonwealth Youth Year, which highlights the importance of young people’s health and development. By promoting practices such as yoga, the Commonwealth Secretariat aims to foster resilience, reduce anxiety and support overall well-being for more than 1.5 billion young people across member states.
Namibia’s High Commissioner to the UK, Linda Scott, said: “Yoga originated in India over 5,000 years ago and today it is being introduced to Commonwealth countries as a fantastic wellness practice that we should all incorporate into our daily lives. If you don’t normally practice yoga, I hope today’s event will pique your interest.”
“As the Commonwealth prepares for the Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting in Paris this July, today’s event, along with initiatives such as the Commonwealth Moves Programme, underscores the Commonwealth’s dedication to promoting sport and physical activity as a key component of health,” the Commonwealth said in a press release.
“@HCI_London, @commonwealthsec & @heartfulness hosted a yoga session today at Marlborough House to mark the 10th International Day of Yoga. We would like to thank the Deputy Secretary-General, diplomats and Secretariat colleagues, especially Ambassador Muna Tasneem of Bangladesh and Ambassador Linda Scott of Namibia,” the Indian Embassy to the UK said in a post by X.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of International Yoga Day, which falls on June 21. In December 2014, the United Nations unanimously adopted a resolution proposed by India to celebrate International Yoga Day on June 21, the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
The proposal was first introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his opening address at the 69th United Nations General Assembly. Since 2015, International Yoga Day has been celebrated across the world to create awareness about the multifaceted benefits of yoga.
PM Modi led the celebrations of the 10th International Yoga Day at Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir on Friday.
Since 2015, PM Modi has led the celebrations of International Day of Yoga (IDY) at various iconic locations including Kartaviya Patho in Delhi, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Ranchi, Lucknow, Mysore and even at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
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