THE eighth International Day of Yoga (IDY) was celebrated in Manila on June 21 at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia with a specially curated event participated by the Indian Embassy, local Philippine institutions, yoga teachers and schools, as well as the organizations of the local Indian Community.
Highlight of the event was the practice of the common yoga protocol (CYP) by more than 200 local participants led by foremost yoga experts and teachers.
Certified ashtanga vinyasa yoga teacher Chandru Mahtani opened the yoga practice with a suryanamaskar (sun salutation) by leading the participants through a sequence of yoga asanas (poses).
Clara Day Herrera, a yoga and wellness expert based in Manila, helped participants explore yoga as a tool for relaxation and vitality through the practice of pranayama.
The book How to Never Diet Forever by Herrera was also launched. The publication provides readers a step-by-step system on achieving holistic health, longevity, beauty, and a life of fulfillment and service to others. It draws on the author’s education in nutrition and wellness—including her extensive training in the ancient Indian systems of yoga, and ayurveda in Mysore, India.
Jennifer Aguas Non closed the session by sharing her practice inspired by her experience of self-transformation through yoga and meditation.
Ambassador Shambhu S. Kumaran hailed local yoga teachers and school instructors present at the event as he recognized their contributions in creating awareness about yoga, and making yoga practice more accessible in the Philippines.
Several pre-events were also organized in Manila as a run-up to the IDY.
These included yoga workshops in Miriam College and the Asian Center of the University of the Philippines. They consisted of yoga webinars and practical classes for university students, faculty and staff.
Self-refinement tool
INDIA’S unique and civilizational pathway to well-being, yoga is practiced in various forms around the world. In the Philippines, yoga continues to grow in popularity, with an increasing number of instructors and passionate practitioners going beyond the physical aspects, and engaging with it as a potent tool of self-refinement.
In the last few years several Filipino yoga enthusiasts and teachers have traveled to India to receive required authorization as teachers, as others search for greater depth and authenticity, according to the embassy.
Recognizing its universal appeal and its efficacy as a tool for experiencing well-being across age groups, nationalities and social backgrounds, the United Nations in December 2014 proclaimed June 21 as the IDY.
This year IDY is being celebrated with the theme: “Yoga for Humanity.” Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi said: “the theme appropriately portrays how, during the peak of the pandemic, yoga served humanity in alleviating suffering. In the emerging post-Covid scenario too, it will bring people together through compassion [and kindness, fostering a sense of unity and building resilience among people everywhere].”
As India commemorates 75 years of independence and being a tribute to the occasion, CYP demonstrations were held simultaneously in 75 national-level iconic sites in the said country on June 21.
Another innovative feature of the 8th IDY was the “Guardian Ring” program: a yoga relay streaming event which underlined the idea of “One Sun, One Earth.” The program showcased participation of people from across the world synchronized with the movement of the sun, beginning from the east and marching westward. Events in the Philippines were also a part of the Guardian Ring.
With the annual celebration of IDY, the embassy said it aims to “facilitate a definitive change in the way we perceive and approach health and well-being by making the holistic well-being practice of yoga accessible to a large cross-section of people in the Philippines.”