A colorful crowd amassed at a well-known square along London's Strand on Friday night to join a public celebration of the 10th International Day of Yoga (IDY) that was organized by the High Commission of India in the UK capital.
The occasion included a mix of yoga asanas, breathing exercises, and cultural performances, attracting yogics from all over the city.
Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, opened the celebrations by reading out a special message from King Charles III, which emphasized the importance of the worldwide event. The monarch, known for his love of yoga, was appreciative of the practice for promoting harmony and overall well-being.
"This annual celebration encourages global values of unity, compassion and wellbeing," Buckingham Palace said in its message from the King. Thinking on the theme of this year — Yoga for One Earth, One Health — the message highlighted the necessity of joint global action towards a healthier and more harmonious world.
"Yoga is a potent tool for empowering anyone to enhance their physical and mental wellbeing and creates a feeling of wellbeing and community togetherness in communities," King Charles stated, adding that its popularity remains on the increase throughout the UK.
High Commissioner Doraiswami looked back at the history of International Day of Yoga since its launch at the United Nations in 2014, after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a proposal for the same. He characterized the initiative as one that rings across the world because it has universal appeal.
"Yoga is a universal language — the human experience," Doraiswami said. "No matter who we are, where we're from, what language we speak or what we believe, our bodies and our minds require the same healing."
This year's festival was jointly celebrated with King's College London, whose campus lies close to India House. The university proclaimed its pride in hosting the event and also in promoting cultural and diplomatic links with India.
“King’s College London shares the values of community, wellness, inner calm and everything that Yoga represents,” said Graham Lord, Senior Vice-President for Health and Life Sciences at King’s. “This event reflects the growing partnership between the UK and India. We’re thrilled to bring this celebration closer to the High Commission and to share this space together.”
The evening began with a vibrant Drums of India performance by Bhavan UK, which gave a foretaste of what could be expected for the rest of the evening, an energetic one. The audience was taken through a series of Surya Namaskar followed by a lead-in to Iyengar Yoga. Interactive sessions on breathing techniques and mindfulness practices were conducted by Heartfulness UK, Art of Living Foundation, and Isha Foundation representatives.
The evening was concluded with Samagam, a beautiful presentation of Yoga and dance, representing harmony and inner equilibrium.
Observed every year on June 21, International Day of Yoga is commemorated by events all over the world. In London, the Indian High Commission remains at the forefront of promoting the philosophy and virtues of this ancient Indian tradition.
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