Celebrating The First International Day of Yoga
Yoga_Life_Winter_2015_WEB
Yoga_Life_Winter_2015_WEB
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SPECIAL REPORT: INTERNATIONAL DAY OF YOGA<br />
LONDON, UK<br />
Sivananda <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centre<br />
“Health is wealth. Peace <strong>of</strong> mind is happiness. <strong>Yoga</strong> shows the way”. – Swami Vishnudevananda<br />
Such was the truth in Swamiji’s words, which the entire world came out<br />
to experience today, the 21st <strong>of</strong> June 2015: the first <strong>International</strong> <strong>Day</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong>. A movement to good health and peace <strong>of</strong> mind which all<br />
came through <strong>Yoga</strong>.<br />
Thanks to the initiative <strong>of</strong> the Indian Prime Minister, the United<br />
Nations had earlier decided that the time for international recognition<br />
<strong>of</strong> the great tradition <strong>of</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> had indeed arrived. This momentous<br />
decision <strong>of</strong> the world community has the potential to change the world<br />
into a healthier place – physically, mentally and spiritually.<br />
Here in London, it was a special day for us at the Sivananda <strong>Yoga</strong><br />
Vedanta Centre. Early in the morning, we gathered at the Indian High<br />
Commission where the High Commissioner inaugurated the <strong>Day</strong> by<br />
lighting a ceremonial lamp. A recorded video message from the Prime<br />
Minister <strong>of</strong> India, Mr. Narendra Modi, and another message from the<br />
British Prime Minister, David Cameron were broadcast. <strong>The</strong> Indian PM<br />
in his message emphasised the need for inner peace and happiness<br />
for each individual, and how <strong>Yoga</strong> can help achieve that elusive peace<br />
<strong>of</strong> mind and soul.<br />
This was followed by a 15 minute asana demonstration by the<br />
Sivananda Yogis, with Raghunath Manet playing the veena which<br />
complemented the asanas and lent a sense <strong>of</strong> great calmness and<br />
serenity to the prevailing atmosphere. <strong>The</strong> session was attended<br />
by a large audience which appeared to be truly absorbing the divine<br />
environment as they participated in the asanas.<br />
<strong>The</strong> scene then shifted to the South Bank Pier where karma yogis<br />
decorated the Sivananda cruise boat with colourful bunting, balloons<br />
and banners commemorating the special day. This was organised and<br />
executed under the supervision <strong>of</strong> Swami Kailasananda, Swami<br />
Jyotirmayananda and Swami Keshavananda. Just as the decorations<br />
were completed and the boat ride from South Bank to Putney<br />
commenced, Big Ben (which adjoins London’s Houses <strong>of</strong> Parliament)<br />
struck its majestic gong, as if to wish us luck! As the boat approached<br />
Putney Pier, a long queue <strong>of</strong> yogis was waiting to come aboard and join<br />
the celebrations.<br />
<strong>The</strong> boat looked mesmerising, angelic and divine. As the people<br />
boarded the boat and took their seats, the celebrations commenced<br />
with meditation and satsang. <strong>The</strong> sacred atmosphere created by the<br />
chanting <strong>of</strong> Jaya Ganesha while sailing on the Thames was over -<br />
whelming. <strong>The</strong> sun was at its brilliant best as if Swami Sivananda and<br />
Swami Vishnudevananda were smiling and bestowing upon us their<br />
love and blessings! <strong>The</strong> satsang came to an end with the chanting <strong>of</strong><br />
Arati. As the boat reached the South Bank Pier in the heart <strong>of</strong> the city,<br />
the Indian High Commissioner came aboard and delivered an inspiring<br />
address. <strong>The</strong> celebrations continued up to the Bernie Spain Gardens<br />
on the banks <strong>of</strong> the Thames where a host <strong>of</strong> people were waiting<br />
to receive <strong>Yoga</strong> lessons.<br />
It was a beautiful sight, close to 600 yogis practicing yoga in a<br />
public Sivananda class taught by Swami Keshavananda in the green<br />
gardens with the golden sun shining bright in the blue sky. <strong>The</strong> Masters<br />
were with all <strong>of</strong> us and were bestowing upon each one <strong>of</strong> us their<br />
blessings, wisdom and joy.<br />
After the class we headed back to the boat to begin our return<br />
journey to the Sivananda <strong>Yoga</strong> Centre. Ragunath Manet entertained us<br />
with a beautiful veena concert and a magnificent Bharata Natyam dance<br />
performance. <strong>The</strong> day only got more divine with the concluding satsang<br />
at the Centre which was a tribute to the peace missions <strong>of</strong> Swami<br />
Vishnudevananda. As the celebrations were coming to a conclusion,<br />
one was reminded <strong>of</strong> another saying by Swami Sivananda, “STRIVE,<br />
STRIVE, STRIVE. This is the sacred mantra to success in everything.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>First</strong> <strong>International</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> <strong>Day</strong> was a great learning experience<br />
for all <strong>of</strong> us, the Sivananda family and everyone around us. As Master<br />
has said strive and strive, there is a long road ahead to take <strong>Yoga</strong> to the<br />
whole world. Today was the beginning <strong>of</strong> this beautiful journey and we<br />
could feel the enlightenment ourselves.<br />
28 YOGALife |Autumn/Winter 2015