ADDRESSING the UN General Assembly on 27 September 27, 2014, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the world community to adopt an International Day of Yoga.  He said in his address: “Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. Yoga is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and Nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help us deal with climate change.  Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day.”

Modi also suggested that June 21, which is the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere, also called the Summer Solstice, has a special significance in many parts of the world and could be considered for adoption as the International Day of Yoga by the UN every year. A couple of months later, India sponsored a resolution to declare June 21 every year as the International Day of Yoga by the UN. India’s draft resolution in the United Nations General Assembly received broad support from 177 member states, including Canada, and the draft text was adopted without a vote on December 11, 2014.  The Government of India has planned to celebrate the First International Day of Yoga in all the countries around the world, including Canada.

The Consulate General of India, Vancouver, has liaised with several organisations and individuals in the Greater Vancouver area for celebrating the first International Day of Yoga (IDY) in a grand manner.  The details of the IDY events are given below. Entry for all these events is free.

All are cordially invited to register themselves and attend these events with their families and friends:

* Plaza of Nations, Vancouver: Guided yoga class; Pranayama sessions; meditation; Ayurvedic lifestyle, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. M/S Ecobear Productions; Sivakumar Varma, Ayurvedic practitioner and yoga teacher; Nirmala Raniga, Founder, Chopra Addiction and Wellness Center.

 www.unidycanada.ca/vancouver_bc

* Guilford Recreation Centre, 15105 105 Avenue, Surrey: Guided yoga class; demonstrations; Sattvic (yogic) meals; children’s yoga and games; laughter yoga; musical program;vendors market, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. M/S Ecobear Productions; Varad Ashram Intercultural Service Humanitarian World Association (VISHWA) led by Swami Satya Prakash; Dr. Preeti Misra, VISHWA Coordinator.

http://www.unidycanada.ca/surrey

dr.preeti.misra@gmail.com

* Hindu Temple, Burnaby: Yoga sessions, film screening, 6-8 p.m. Nutan Thakur, radio host & yoga teacher.

http://www.unidycanada.ca/burnaby

* Front Lawns of BC Parliament and Legislative Grounds, Victoria: Yoga session, 8-10 a.m. Nirmala Raniga

http://www.unidycanada.com/victoria_bc

* Stan Clarke Park, Squamish, 9-11 a.m.

www.unidycanada.com/squamish_bc

* Oliver Woods Community Center, 6000 Oliver Road, Nanaimo, 9 a.m.- 12 p.m.

http://www.unidycanada.com/nanaimo_bc