CHICAGO: Surya Namaskar Yagya ( SNY)organized by Hindu Svayamsevak Sangh (HSS) caught the imagination of the residents and the officials of the two cities in Illinois- Normal and Bloomington-with the result that there was a huge participation in the Yagya besides the City Councils of these two cities declaring January 27 as the SN Day.The Yagya was organized in Bloomington -Normal, Illinois from January 12 to 27.

Over 280 individuals from 100 families registered for learning and performing SN during the fifteen days of the Yagya. A count of the number of Surya Namaskars performed in the community during the period totaled about 20,000.Presentations were made on the value and the spirit of the Yagya to the Mayors of Bloomington and Normal. Similar introductions were also made to Normal Community High School and University High School.

The City Councils of Bloomington and Normal were highly appreciative of this wonderful activity that contributed to the health of the community. The students of Normal Community High School and University High School were informed that its origin was in ancient India, and it involves a combination of ten yoga postures, called "âsanâs", performed in a pre-determined sequence. They are a set of well-balanced movements that will stretch and exercise all the muscles in our body, calm our mind, and sharpen our intellect.

The students were very appreciative of the beneficial effects of SN. The office of Rep. Timothy Johnson expressed happiness about the positive effect of SNY being performed in the community.SN videos were shown during screening of Indian movies. Indian associations such as Telugu Association, Maharashtra Mandal, Tamil Sangham, Kannada Koota and McLean County India Association helped in communicating the SNY opportunities to their respective members. The entire community in Bloomington Normal was poised to get into action for health and spirituality through the Yagya.

On January 19, a marathon Surya Namaskar was performed from 9 am to 12 noon by a number of volunteers. There were many first time learners all through the period of the Yagya. The significant children participation was heart warming.On January 27, a grand finale event commemorating the Yagya was organized in Prairie Hall at Illinois State University. Anita Deoskar (a professional physical trainer and yoga instructor) led the attendees by guiding them systematically through warming up exercises and two rounds of SN. This event also had deliberations on the benefits of practicing SN and the success of the Yagya in the community.
(Kruti Bhakti also contributed to this article.)