International Day of Yoga - New York Style 2018

In the Bahamas, at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat, where I currently am, we celebrated the International Day of Yoga with a special puja (ceremony) conducted by the Ashram priest and also had a special advanced yoga class.  Our sister Sivananda ashram and center in New York, as well as Sivananda centers around the world also had celebrations.

This photo from New York and the largess of it all was pretty amazing.  I thought it was worth sharing with all of you.  It's also fascinating to me that prior to three years ago, I had never heard of Sivananda yoga.  It's a wonderful practice, and I'm happy that it is upfront and center for the International Day of Yoga celebrations.

In New York, the celebration began at ​the United Nations Headquarters in Manhattan for "Yoga Sessions with Yoga Masters" program sponsored by the Permanent Mission of India. Swami Paramananda, from the Sivananda Yoga Ranch led a 20-minute asana class, and Sivananda teachers and TTCs (teacher training course students) acted as demonstrators and assistants for the class, which was attended by close to 1000 participants who filled the North Lawn of the United Nations Headquarters.

At the UN, the "Yoga for Peace" panel discussion held on Thursday afternoon included Sivananda NY Ashram director, Srinivasan among six panelists for the discussion, which was attended by 200-300 people. The panel was moderated by Mitchell Rabin, who has been a long-time friend of the ashram, and Lila Lolling was also among the panelists.

On Thursday evening in Times Square, Swami Paramananda led a 75-minute asana class as part of the Times Square Alliance's Summer Solstice celebration. Again Sivananda teachers and TTCs acted as demonstrators and assistants for the class, which was attended by 1500 people. (photo above)
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Namaste
Loving Life and Living Love,
Mary

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