Children from Chinmaya Mission Atlanta practicing yoga

 to coordinate with all participating organizations under the aegis of the Atlanta Consulate. All participating organizations- Art of living, Isha yoga, Seva international, HSS, VHPA, Hindu temple of Atlanta, Vedic temple, Patanjali yoga, IACA, IPN, IAF, TAMA, Gandhi foundation of USA, Vydya, BAPS etc - are making combined efforts for the mega event. All participating organizations met last Saturday, June 6 at at the Consulate to recapitulate the preparations hitherto done and performed rehearsals at the event venue Heritage Sandy Springs Park on Sunday, June 7. All participating organizations will be meeting again at the Consulate on Saturday evening, June 20 and the dry run in the morning.

The Indian Consulate in Atlanta has planned the following activities for the celebration: Common Yoga Protocol/demonstration of common asanas; AUM Chanting; Guided meditation; Benefits of yoga for certain medical conditions; Surya Namaskar with Music; Yoga for seniors; Techniques of Pranayama; Importance of Yoga.

It may be recalled that the UN General Assembly had last year overwhelmingly adopted a draft resolution, declaring June 21 as International Yoga Day. A record 177 countries had co-sponsored the resolution. The remarkable idea for declaring an International Day of Yoga at the United Nations was formally proposed by the Indian Prime Minister Modi in his maiden address to the 69th General Assembly session in September last year. He had suggested that 21 June, one of the two solstices, which is the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere, has special significance in many parts of the world, and could be considered, for adoption as the International Day of Yoga by the United Nations each year.

Yoga has always intrigued the West, but now high-profile fitness freaks have their own gurus and patronize yoga centers that have sprung up everywhere. Yoga is being sold as a mantra that can alleviate suffering and achieve “balance” to combat stress.

In India, the country of its origin, it is being looked at with renewed interest and is emerging as a dynamic new-age exercise. Practiced for over 5,000 years, yoga is a peaceful approach to mind body interaction. It is practiced to help integrate physical health with mental balance with an understanding of the world. Yoga is the new buzzword the world over. People from all walks of life; men and woman of all ages are showing interest in the practice of yoga. According to a recent survey, 20 million people practice yoga in America alone. More than 200 fitness centers have introduced yoga in and around Atlanta; besides other yoga learning centers at various community centers, temples and private yoga instructors. Yoga programs involve simple postures, meditation and powerful ways of transforming one’s energies to empower optimum performance with regard to all aspects. The practices are a proven tool for preventive and curative health, and have helped relieve many people from chronic ailments like asthma, hypertension, diabetes and arthritis. It is never too late to get started.