Manila - The annual celebration of the International Day of Yoga (IDY) was held at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City today. The event was attended by over 200 participants who practiced yoga as drawn from the Common Yoga Protocol under the guidance of the leading Yoga gurus and experts in the Philippines.
The 9th IDY celebration was held with the theme, “Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” which means “Yoga for the world is one family.” The event recommenced last year after a two-year gap due to the pandemic.
The event compered by renowned Radio-host RJ Ledesma started with a devotional hymn (Ganesh Stuti) performed by an Indian expatsinger Ms. Sharada Malladi. The yoga practice commenced with the Suryanamaskar (sun salutation), led by Ms. Janice Cuevas, a certified Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga teacher. This was followed by the practice of key Yoga asanas led by Ms. Donna Lampano, a certified Yoga Guru.
Thereafter, Ms Clara Day Herrera, a certified international expert guided theparticipants through the Pranayama guided breathing practice. Ms. Iachina Hernandez, the founder of Better Life Studio, concluded the event through a meditation session.
H.E. Shambhu S. Kumaran, Ambassador of India to the Philippines felicitated the local yoga teachers and institutions who took part in the celebration. Ambassador noted that as we enter the post pandemic phase, Yoga is gaining greater popularity in the Philippines as an effective practice for well-being and prophylaxis. At the same time,the ancient Indian tradition of Ayurveda has also generated considerable interest.
The 5000 year old practice of Yoga, which originated in ancient Indian Civilisation, has now become a practice that transcends cultural and geographic borders. As a key pathway towards sustaining a healthy lifestyle across the world and in recognition of its universal appeal, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 June as International Day of Yoga in December 2014.
In the run-up to the celebration of IDY, pre-events were organized to promote awareness on Yoga across different sections in Metro Manila. Bharati – Indian Expat Women’s Association held yoga practice sessions at the National Training School for Girls and the Haven for Women Institute run by the Department of Social Welfare and Development-National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) in Muntinlupa City, the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City, and the Bureau of Fire Protection in the City of Manila. Yoga practice sessionswere also conducted by Bharati in Paranaque City’s Nord Anglia International School and Miriam College in Quezon City. In Pampanga City, the Indian Cultural Association of the Philippines (ICAP) held a .Yoga practice session at Alpha Aviation Group in Clark. The Indian Women in Enterprise (I-WE) held a Yoga practice session at the Club United, Merville in Parañaque City.
In the Philippines, yoga continues to rise in popularity and has helped generate a healthy lifestyle for local practitioners. Several Filipino Yoga practitioners have visited India for training, thereby deepening the people-to-people cultural exchanges between India andthe Philippines. Several of them have received training as certified yoga teachers in India.
As the world continues in gradual re-emergence from the COVID-19 pandemic, the well-being of communities across the globe remainsa great priority. India hopes that enhancing the reach of the healing practice of Yoga, through the annual celebration of IDY and other activities, will make a meaningful contribution in this regard.
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