CHICAGO: International Yoga Day was celebrated across Midwest area but the main event was in Chicago held at ODEUM Expo Center in Villa Park from 10 am in the morning till 5 pm in the evening.
Although the Indian Consulate was the prime organizers it was quite evident that it was fifteen plus local community organizations which shared huge responsibility in making the event a memorable one despite below expected attendance.
The Art of Living, Sahaj Yoga, Science of Spirituality, Gayatri Gyan Mandir, Isha Foundation, Brahma Kumaris, Hindu Swayam Sevak Sangh, Federation of Indian Associations, and culminating them all seniors body MAFS did a remarkable job in attending to the visitors and yoga lovers briefing them about the importance of Yoga and Meditation. MAFS also provided food packages while FIA gave Yoga T shirts.
The Yoga exhibition was expected to be a star attraction but it had only thin attendance that led one of the visitors to observe that it was not conceived well.
The following organizations participated in the Yoga day celebrations
[i] Art of living Foundation
[ii] Gayathri Gyan Mandir
[iii] Isha Foundation
[iv] Patanjali Yogpeeth
[v] Brahma Kumaris Meditation Centers
[vi] SEWA International
[vii] Science of Spirituality
[viii] Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
[ix] Yog Sadhan Ashram of Chicago
[x] Akhu Ausar
[xi] Kriya Vedanta Gurukulam
[xii] Sahaj Marg Spirituality Foundation
[xiii] Metropolitan Asian Family Services [MAFS]
[xiv] Bharatiya Senior Citizens
[xv] American Association of Retired Asians
The program had started with PM’s special message on the occasion. The Art of Living Foundation performed Common Yoga Protocol / demonstrating Common Asanas. A couple of thousands actively participated in Common Yoga Protocol. The Keynote Speech was delivered by Swami Ishatmanandaji, President, Vivekananda Vedanta Society of Chicago on “Prabuddha Dhyanam” (‘Enlightened Meditation’).
Among other activities organized were:
Book Exhibition: A special book exhibition on Yoga by the Consulate.
Photo exhibition: Selected photographs on Yoga by Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga [MDNIY] and by Raja Choudhury by the Consulate,
Screening of documentary films: “History of Yoga: the path of my Ancestors” directed by Deepika and Ramji and “Yoga: Harmony with Nature” directed by National Film Award Winner Raja Choudhury,
Guided Meditation Workshop: by the Brahm Kumaris Meditation Center,
Surya Namaskar Demonstration: by the Hindu Swayam Sevak Sangh,
Talk on benefits of Yoga & Hath Yoga posture & Cleansing
Demonstration: by the Yog Sadhan Ashram,
Surat Shabd ‘Yoga An Ageless Technique’: by The Science of Spirituality,
Cyclic Meditation Workshop: (Stop Diabetic Movement) by SEWA International,
Workshop on Yoga Therapy: by Akhu Ausar,
Yoga and Pranayama for Seniors: by Patanjali Yogpeeth (USA) Trust, Chicago,
Chair Yoga demonstration for seniors: by American Association of Retired Asians (AARA),
Laughing Yoga for seniors: by Metropolitan Asian Family Services,
Workshop for Children: by Overseas Volunteer for a Better India and by Brahma Kumaris Meditation
O.P.Meena, Consul, gave the vote of thanks. He thanked all the participants, participating organizations, media partners, individuals for their tireless work to make IYD celebrations successful in Chicago.
Parallel events
There were Parallel Events at other venues in Chicago: The ‘Eye on India’ celebrated the First IYD by organizing yoga sessions during sunrise and sunset at two different locations in Chicago. The morning session took place at 63rd Street Beach, Lake Shore and evening session took place at Mozart Park. On the following Day, 22nd June, ‘Eye on India’ also organized demonstration of Yoga and a panel discussion on Health Benefits of Yoga at the Daley Plaza.
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Bartlett, IL also celebrated the first International Day of Yoga on June 21. In the afternoon small groups practiced different breathing exercises or Pranayama. During the evening assembly, a lecture on the health benefits of Yoga was delivered by Dr. Manish Brahmbhatt, preceded by a two minute video of PM Modi’s speech at the UNGA to an assembly of over 1,200 guests.
Madison [Wisconsin]
The American Hindu Association celebrated the First International Day of Yoga at Hindu Temple & Culture Centre at Madison, Wisconsin. Several tents were set up to cover about 100 sq.ft area within the wooded temple premises to give a natural and serene setup for doing yoga.
The activities performed included Surya Namaskar by HSS, followed by ‘Upa Yoga’ by Isha Foundation, “Yoga Nidra” and ‘Sparsa Yoga’ by Reka Sundaram-Stukel. The program ended with a lighter ‘Yin Yoga’ for Health by BlissFlowYoga. People of different nationalities and age groups participated in the event.
Carmel [Indiana]
The ‘Namaste Carmel’ celebrated the First International Day of Yoga on Sunday, June 21 at Carmel, Indiana. Activities performed included a brief speech on Yoga, Yogic Jogging, Yogic postures (‘Shirshasana’ Tolaasana’, ‘Shavasana’ and Pranayama, Surya Namaskar, Meditation and yoga related activities for children. Several organizations participated in the event including Indianapolis-Hyderabad Sister City Committee, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS), Greater Indianapolis Telugu Association (GITA), Art of Living (AOL), Yoga21 Studio and Brahma Kumari Samaj. People of different nationalities and age groups participated in the event.
Harish Rao & Madhu Patel
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