Embargo: 22^nd June, 2017 

Press Release 

YOGA FOR PEACE AND HARMONY 

CELEBRATION OF THIRD INTERNATIONAL DAY OF YOGA IN BERLIN 

The Embassy of India, Berlin celebrated the 3^rd International Day of Yoga on the 21^st June 2017.  The celebration was part of the global commemoration of the International Day of Yoga. 

Inspired by the response of enthusiastic Yoga practitioners from various parts of Germany in the past two editions of International Day of Yoga in 2015 and 2016, the Embassy of India, Berlin organised celebrations in two phases.  

The morning session was held on a boat on river Spree. Berliners from all walks of life were witness to the Yoga demonstrations as the boat went past the icons of Berlin, namely, Reichstag (German Parliament), Federal Chancellery, Berliner Dom, Museum Island, the Berlin Hauptbahnhof and TV Tower at Alexanderplatz.  

The main event was held in the Embassy premises in the evening. This event saw Yoga demonstrations by several prominent organizations in Berlin, namely, The Art of Living, Isha Foundation, Sivananda Yoga, Jivamukti Yoga, Bihar school of Yoga among others. The demonstrations were based on the Common Yoga Protocol of the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India that comprised of opening prayer, loosening practices, standing and sitting postures, prone & supine, kapalbhati & pranayam, breathing techniques, followed by meditation. A special event was the rendition of a shanti mantra.  Ambassador of India to Germany, Mrs. Mukta D. Tomar in her speech emphasized the importance of authentic Yoga and its benefits.  She also thanked the participating organizations for their commendable efforts in making the event successful.  The event was moderated by Ms. Nike Martens, an actress of German TV and films by profession and a Yogi by passion.  

As a prelude to the celebration of the 3^rd International Day of Yoga, the Embassy had taken the initiative to host free Yoga classes in collaboration with well-known and active Berlin based Yoga organizations from May 2017 onwards.  A workshop on spoken Sanskrit by Dr. Sadananda Das, Sanskrit Lecturer, Indology Department, University of Leipzig was also organized on 8^th June, 2017.  

As a Curtain Raiser to the celebration of the 3^rd International Day of Yoga, the Mission screened the documentary on Common Yoga Protocol that included demystification of Yoga by experts, Dr. Naveen G. Halappa (ICCR Professor of Yoga at Leibniz University of Hannover) and Dr. Alka Tyagi, Delhi University.   In the second part of the programme, Dr. Halappa conducted a Yoga workshop for all its officials and general public.  

About the International Day of Yoga

In  December  2014,  a draft  resolution introduced  by  India  in  the  United  Nations  General  Assembly  and  co-sponsored  by  177  member  States  of the  UN  was  adopted  to  declare  June  21  as  the  International  Day  of  Yoga.  Addressing the UN General Assembly on 27 September 2014, Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi had said: "Yoga is an invaluable gift of India's ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfilment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help us deal with climate change. Let us work towards adopting an International Day of Yoga." 

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