7th International Day of Yoga: Kiwis roll out yoga-mats with enthusiasm.

Thousands of enthusiastic Kiwis all over the country have rolled out yoga mats to mark the occasion of the 7th International day of Yoga on Sunday, June 20. 

Every year June 21 is celebrated as International Day of Yoga after the United Nations had proclaimed as International Day of Yoga by passing a resolution on December 11, 2014. 

Although Yoga has long been recognised as India's gift to the global culture of wellness, the official UN recognition came after a push by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014. 

Since then, there has been an increased awareness and willingness amongst different organisations worldwide, including New Zealand, which had been practising Yoga albeit within their respective confines, to think bigger involve wider participation from different communities. 

Kiwis in this endeavour have always been enthusiastic participants and promoters of Yoga as a holistic practice for spiritual and general well being as evident in generous participation from members of the public and MPs and Ministers in the government. 

This year the office of the Indian High Commission hosted more than 25 events all over the country in close association with different organisations and community associations, which witnessed enthusiastic participation from wider communities. 

Wellington

The High Commissioner of India Muktesh Pardeshi led the Wellington event at Bharat Bhawan, organised by Wellington Indian Association and supported by the Art of Living (who provided Yoga instructors). 

More than two hundred yoga enthusiast attended the event, including MP Greg O'Connor, officials at the Indian High Commission, prominent community leaders and members of the community.

Speaking on occasion, High Commissioner Pardeshi extolled the now universally accepted values of Yoga in an individual's physical, spiritual and general wellbeing and encouraged everyone to consider adopting Yoga in their day to day lives. 

"In the present times, where people all around the world are adapting their lives to the new reality of a pandemic, yoga has become even more relevant," Mr Pardeshi said. 

"Let us all join hands and contribute to the global healing process and make wellness a part of our lives by embracing Yoga," Mr Pardeshi said. 

Auckland 

One of the major yoga events was organised in Auckland – the biggest city of New Zealand – at the iconic Mahatma Gandhi Centre of Auckland Indian Association and was led by Hon Consul of India Bhav Dhillon. 

Continuing the previously demonstrated bonhomie, more than 16 prominent Indian diaspora organisations, including Auckland Indian Association, Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust, Auckland Tamil Association, Communities Action Trust New Zealand, Telangana Jagruthi of New Zealand, Gujarati Samaj of New Zealand, Telugu Association of New Zealand, Telangana Association of New Zealand, Roopa Aur Aap and many more, have come together under the aegis of Consulate of India's office for the international day of Yoga event. 

The event was attended by hundreds of members of the community, leaders in the community and dignitaries, including Minister of Transport and the local MP Michael Wood, who performed yoga postures under the able guidance of Art of Living yoga instructors. 

Speaking on occasion, Hon Consul Bhav Dhillon said, "We all know that Yoga is India's gift to the rest of the world, and to know that such a holistic practice was developed by India's sages and gurus in ancient times, much before the advent of modern technology says a lot of the scientific temper in ancient India."

"It is satisfying to see the modern world is now accepting the importance of India's gift to the rest of the world like never before," Mr Dhillon said. 

Waitakere Hindi School and Waitakere Indian Association also organised a yoga event in West Auckland with students of the school and members of the wider community. 

Associate Minister of Immigration Phil Twyford (who is also local MP for Te Atatu South) was key in attendance at the West Auckland Yoga event. 

Hamilton

In Hamilton (Waikato Region), local MP Dr Gaurav Sharma joined a yoga event hosted by Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan New Zealand for the two-hour long yoga session. 

Speaking on occasion, Dr Gaurav Sharma said, "I did The Art of Living yoga course when I was at school but over the years have gotten out of the rhythm of practising it. 

"It is great to be able to reconnect with mind and soul again along with a wide range of yoga experts - some of whom were doing yoga for the first time while others had been practising it for many years," Dr Sharma said. 

Rotorua

Further down south in Waikato Region – a prominent tourist destination and adventure sport centre in the North Island of New Zealand – a group of yoga enthusiast gathered together in the premises of Holiday Inn hotel under the leadership of Vishal Sharma of I Love Rotorua" fame. 

Local councillor Mercia Dawn Bates also joined the yoga enthusiasts in 

Several other yoga events were also held in regions like Christchurch, New Plymouth, Palmerstone North, Nelson, Lower Hut, and other places in New Zealand to mark the 7th International Day of Yoga. 

Indian High Commission hosts several other Yoga related activities. 

The office of the Indian High Commission had this year further expanded the ambit of yoga-related events, from actual physical events to commemorative events in virtual space, with the goal of spreading Yoga's outreach in New Zealand. 

One of the key activities was a photo competition that invited photos from participants in different yoga postures, preferably from outdoor locations in New Zealand. 

The competition received enthusiastic participation from yoga enthusiasts and culminated in the announcement of prizes under five different categories. 

Sachidananda Gowda, Srushti Madaiah Basavaraju, and Monika were announced as first, second and third prize winners, respectively, under photos for adults. 

Anika Mohan, Khushi Talkad, and Ruth Samuel were recipients of first, second, and third prize in the kids' category. 

In the lead up to the International Day of Yoga, the office of the Indian High Commission also organised a webinar promoting yoga and emphasising the healing prowess of this traditional Indian ancient practice. 

Expressing satisfaction on the overall footprint of Yoga events this year, Durga Das, Second Secretary, Indian High Commission (Press, Info & Culture), said, "We are satisfied with the level of outreach we were able to reach this year with different communities and regions of New Zealand in promoting values of Yoga."