Yoga was the flavour of the month across the length and breadth of New Zealand as the country celebrated the 9th International Day of Yoga from June 17-25.
The series of events organised by the Indian high commission in several cities, including Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, Dunedin and Invercargil among others, wrapped up with a grand celebration in Auckland on Sunday.
Enthusiasts turned up in huge numbers for the event at Mahatma Gandhi Centre in the morning. Some came with prior experience of yoga while others were relative newbies to the practice.
“We had a great yoga day,” an attendee told The Indian Weekender after the event. “I just believe yoga is so important for the mind and the spirit, and physically as well. I’m going to try and do it every day, or at least once a week if I can!”
Indian High Commissioner Neeta Bhushan seemed more of a yoga regular. “I try to do yoga at least four times a week. Medical science has shown the benefits of doing yoga. This year, the yoga day is being celebrated not just in New Zealand but across the world,” she said.
Among those who participated were Hon Consul of India in Auckland Bhav Dhillon and representatives from several Indian community groups.
The highlight event of the yoga series was held a few days earlier at the parliament building in Wellington. It was attended by ministers, parliamentarians, and members of Indian and Kiwi communities.
The event was co-hosted by Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities Priyanca Radhakrishnan and MP Ingrid Leary. Cabinet minister Ginny Andersen also joined the celebration and delivered the opening remarks.
The participants shared anecdotes on how yoga helped them beat both physical and mental stress. High Commissioner Neeta Bhushan expressed delight over yoga being widely appreciated and included in the curriculum of many schools, colleges, gyms and fitness centres all over the world, and also in New Zealand.
This year, International Yoga Day was also celebrated in Samoa, Vanuatu & Cook Islands. Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa participated in an event in Apia on June 21, where she spoke about the health benefits of yoga.
As part of the yoga drive, High Commissioner Neeta Bhushan visited Invercargill on June 18 to attend an event hosted by Indian Community in Southland.
The two-day visit also included engagements with the local community, city officials, and regional business representatives.
Bhushan, and high commission official Duga Dass, also took the opportunity to meet community members and address their concerns about passports, visas and other related matters.
More than 50 community members gathered at Hansen Hall in Southern Institute of Technology to participate in yoga practice.
The theme of this year's yoga day was ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, which means ‘world is one family’. Yoga is an ancient Indian tradition that has been well known for its health benefits and its healing properties.
The United Nations adopted a resolution presented by India in 2014 and declared June 21 as International Day of Yoga. This year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited New York and participated in yoga celebrations at the UN headquarters.
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