Celebrating International Yoga Day
Did you know that International Yoga Day is celebrated on 21 June, the Summer Solstice? This year, Holy Cow Community supported an inclusive yoga practice in Aylesbury to mark the occasion, so let us tell you more.
Unity in the Community
Yoga is more than exercise, it is the harmonious unity of body, mind and spirit. It is practiced by people of all ages and abilities and focuses on inner focus and reflection, rather than competition or ego. It has long played an essential role in Indian culture and the well-being benefits have seen yoga being adopted by communities around the globe.
To mark International Yoga Day, HSS Āryabhat shākhā, Aylesbury planned an event in our community to bring people together. Held at St Michael’s School, Holy Cow Community was honoured to partner with Aylesbury Hindu Temple and Aylesbury Indian Community to support and promote this event.
Yoga mats filled the hall, as young and old prepared for an inclusive session to connect us with our physical, mental and spiritual selves. This included Pranayama (breathing), Mudra (hand gestures to channel energy, Asana (postures to stretch and balance) and Savasana (relaxation).
In our busy lives, this opportunity to share a calming and reflective activity was the ideal way to spend a Saturday morning. We appreciated the positive and uplifting session, which was enjoyed by all and set us on the right path for the rest of the weekend.
The session was led by a Yog Kulam instructor. This organisation is proactively working to introduce yoga to the UK education system. They believe that this can help young people to better understand themselves and navigate the modern world. It is also hoped that collective yoga can forge deeper connections and foster community cohesion.
What is International Yoga Day?
After the session, Kishor Shah informed us of the significance of yoga as India’s gift to the world. In 2014, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed International Yoga Day to the United Nations General Assembly to enhance the health of individuals and the planet. His idea was supported by 177 UN members and International Yoga Day has been recognised by the World Health Organisation since 2015.
On the tenth anniversary, the theme was ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’. With this theme in mind, the representative from Aylesbury Indian Community, who is a healthcare specialist, reminded us of the importance of investing in our health for our well-being and the well-being of society. It’s such a valuable message.
With the hall cleared of mats, everyone was invited to continue the conversation with a refreshing cup of Holy Cow Tea. We thank all involved in bringing this event to the community and to everyone who came along to join the yoga session.
We invite you to follow our organisations, find out more about upcoming community events and come along to join in. Everyone is welcome.
