CHICAGO: Indian Consul General Dr Ausaf Sayeed, chaired a meeting with a cross-section of community leaders and office bearers of Indian-American community and socio-cultural organizations on Tuesday, 9 June5 at the Consulate premises to review the arrangements for the celebrations of the First International Yoga Day in Chicagoland.
The Consul General briefed that the preparations for celebrating the First International Yoga Day on a grand scale in Chicagoland began in all earnestness after the Kick-off Ceremony which was organized at the premises of the Consulate on 20th May, which was attended by different community organizations, established yoga and spiritual centers and members of the media.
During the kick-off ceremony, the Consul General and the members of organizing Committee unveiled the Official logo for the International Day of Yoga.
The IY Day Chicagoland will be celebrated on Sunday, June 21 at Odeum Expo Center in Villa Park, (a northwest suburb of Chicago) from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
The Participating Organisations are the Art of living Foundation, Gayathri Gyan Mandir, Isha Foundation, Patanjali Yogpeeth, Brahma Kumaris Meditation Centers, SEWA International, Science of Spirituality, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, Yog Sadhan Ashram and Akhu Yoga
The following events would be organized as part of the First International Yoga Day:
[i] Book Exhibition: A special book exhibition on Yoga will be exhibited on the occasion.
[ii] Photo exhibition: Selected photographs on Yoga by Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga [MDNIY] and by Raja Choudhury will be displayed
[iii] Screening of the documentary film “History of Yoga: the path of my Ancestors”: This is a 109 minutes film with Hindi subtitles. The film is a 6000 year journey into the origin & evolution of Yoga. The film explores the elements of Yoga in the Harappa civilization, Vedic times, Jainism, Buddhism and the Hath-Yogic practices of medieval times.
[iv] Screening of the documentary film ” Yoga : Harmony with Nature” : It is a compelling new film by National Film Award Winner Raja Choudhury and the External Publicity & Public Diplomacy Division of Ministry of External Affairs. The film explores Yoga’s origins, history, benefits, science, spread and embrace around the World.
[v] Common Yoga Protocol / demonstration of common asanas and breathing techniques by The Art of Living Foundation.
[vi] Guided meditation workshop & children’s activities by the Brahm Kumaris Meditation Center
[vii] Surya Namaskar Demonstration by the Hindu Swayam Sevak Sangh
[viii] Keynote Speech by Swami Ishatmanandaji, President, Vivekananda Vedanta Society of Chicago on “Prabuddha Dhyanam” (Enlightened Meditation).
[viii] Talk on benefits of Yoga by the Director of Yog Sadhan Ashram
[ix] ‘Surat Shabd Yoga’ An Ageless Technique’ by The Science of Spirituality
[x] Hath Yoga posture and cleansing demonstration by Yog Sadhan Ashram
[xi] Cyclic Meditation Workshop (Stop Diabetic Movement) by SEWA International
[xii] Workshop on Yoga Therapy by Akhu Yoga
[xiii] Yoga and Pranayama for Seniors by Patanjali Yogpeeth (USA) Trust, Chicago
[xiv] Chair Yoga demonstration for seniors – by American Association of Retired Asians (AARA)
Several organizations in different parts of Chicagoland and other states of the US Midwest are organizing a series of activities to mark the International Yoga Day.
Quite a number of elected Federal, State and local level officials besides huge number of Yoga enthusiasts are expected to attend this day long event.
Mayor’s message
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has sent a special message of congratulations on the First International Yoga Day. A special message would also be read on behalf of Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner.
CG Dr Sayeed also formally launched the official website of the International Yoga Day celebrations in Chicago: www.iydchicago.org. The objective of the website is to provide impetus to Yoga in general and to register participants in the Chicagoland for IYD celebrations. The website consolidates yoga-related contents in the form of text, images, videos, blogs, news articles, opinion etc. from official and other authentic sources.
A practice session for common Yoga asanas and breathing techniques was also held after the meeting.
The Consulate has also created a new Facebook Page which can be accessed on: http://www.facebook.com/IndiaInChicago. People are encouraged to follow the Facebook Page to get regular updates on the various activities organized by the Consulate. People are also encouraged to follow the Consulate’s Twitter Handle: https://twitter.com/IndiaCGChicago and to use the Hash Tags: #YogaDay and #IYDChicago to promote the International Yoga Day.
Thanking all the participants, CG Dr Sayeed urged all the community organizations to extend whole-hearted support in celebrating the First International Day of Yoga in a befitting manner, not only in Chicagoland but in the entire US Midwest.
Ramesh Soparawala
India Post News Service
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