“Planning began just a few days ago and it’s Tuesday! We expect 200 children and 3 television news cameras to record the response. This is much bigger than I anticipated!” one of the volunteers thought to herself. Upon entering the hall, what she saw filled her eyes with tears of gratitude. A number of Isha volunteers were in various stages of transforming the space for the Upa yoga session. Four Hatha Yoga teachers were already present to support the day’s activity. She offered a silent thank you and plunged into the preparations alongside the other volunteers.
In this way she began to facilitate Upa Yoga sessions five years ago in Flint, Michigan, for International Day of Yoga’s inaugural year. Despite her initial trepidation, she has continued to offer Upa Yoga to her students on the International Day Yoga. This experience was reflected many times over, throughout North America; as countless Isha volunteers and participants gather together each year, across the US and Canada, to celebrate IDY.
According to the United Nations genesis of this event was “a draft resolution establishing the International Day of Yoga was proposed by India and endorsed by a record 175 member states.” Thus June 21at became the International Day of Yoga.
The proposal was first introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address during the opening of the 69th session of the General Assembly, in which he said: “Yoga is an invaluable gift from our ancient tradition. Yoga embodies unity of mind and body, thought and action … a holistic approach [that] is valuable to our health and our well-being. Yoga is not just about exercise; it is a way to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature.” The resolution notes “the importance of individuals and populations making healthier choices and following lifestyle patterns that foster good health.” In this regard, the World Health Organization has also urged its member states to help their citizens reduce physical inactivity, which is among the top ten leading causes of death worldwide, and a key risk factor for non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes. In complete support of this proposal, Sadhguru stated, “this could be a kind of a foundation stone to make scientific approach to the inner well-being of the human being, a worldwide thing… It’s a tremendous step for the world.”
Now, 5 years later, the world, once again celebrated IDY on Friday, June 21, 2019. In North America alone, 42 city centers offered 156 Isha Foundation Upa Yoga sessions to friends, family, and fellow community members. Sessions and events were offered at corporate offices and temples, in libraries and medical facilities. Participants from all walks of life, beyond age, gender, and religion came together to celebrate the healthy and healing science of yoga. Isha information booths, accompanied by the “ever-popular fruit tray”, adds Venugopal from Pittsburgh, dotted the landscape in some cities, as others gathered on sun swept lawns to celebrate outdoors. Columbus, Ohio commemorated the day with a yogic flash mob at Ohio State college campus! Still other locations offered a vegetarian meal between Yoga practices. As Rhoades Mikkelson, who attended a session in Phoenix, Arizona commented,” I thoroughly enjoyed and benefited from the IDY experience hosted by Isha Foundation, especially the Yoga for Success neck practices and breath exercise to cleanse the nadis. I found myself feeling wonderfully after the Upa Yoga session, and was then greeted with a beautiful vegetarian meal including traditional Indian cooking served by loving, responsive people.”
The celebratory verve and profound impact of Isha Yoga was experienced by both volunteers and participants alike. Leela from Charlotte, North Carolina shares her experience this way: “We are busy with our day to day lives, with our jobs and family responsibilities. The way of living and approaching life has changed with Isha Yoga.” Rajeswari from San Francisco shared, “many of the participants found the sessions to be relaxing, peaceful, and energetic. Some stayed for all 3 sessions, while others were keenly interested in learning about how to offer Upa yoga sessions to their community. Participants felt that there is immense benefit to offering Upa yoga sessions to the public and they appreciated the efforts of Isha Foundation.” Sravan from Austin adds, “The tone of the session so captured my imagination, that, for a moment, I was completely oblivious to my surroundings. The sight of 70 participants, several children among them, practicing Yoga Namaskar together is most impeccable. Witnessing the bright and smiling faces and the sense of satisfaction in the participants as they leave, we are very privileged to offer Upa yoga and carry Sadhguru’s message of yoga for all.”
Mayur, a neuroscientist from San Francisco, after offering a fairly impromptu session at Stanford University, imparted this reflection,”It was deeply fulfilling to watch so many scientists imbibe Sadhguru’s offerings. The faculty members and staff were deeply appreciative of the practices. Some of the students stayed back to chat more and wanted to help out with research activities related to yoga. Personally, it was incredibly rewarding to do this session because it is really challenging to get scientists to imbibe yoga and meditation. I was very grateful for the opportunity to offer this session.”
These meaningful experiences were mirrored throughout North America and beyond, reaching people in cities, towns and villages across the entire planet. The upsurge of interest in and visibility of Upa Yoga has increased each year, in part because of the relationship formed with the Indian Consulate in each country. An Isha volunteer from New Jersey worked with the Indian Consulate in the U.S. for several months to ensure International Day of Yoga events were a success. She is one of two spokespersons representing the 15 yoga organizations that participated in IDY, just in the U.S. alone. This invaluable relationship is one that will continue to bare the fruits of offering yoga to all communities, far and wide.
With the 5th International Day of Yoga at a close for 2019, it is an experience in itself to reflect on the impact made in the lives of those touched by yoga. Hearing others’ IDY stories, one can truly realize not only how small this world is, but how, on a very fundamental level, all lives are connected in some way. Yoga means Union, and if there was ever a day to truly feel the significance of this meaning, understand the truth of this meaning, it is June 21st, International Day of Yoga.
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