This powerful message of the International Yoga Day, observed annually on June 21, reverberated through the UN Headquarters in New York on Friday when hundreds gathered to embrace ancient and holistic practice.
A family tradition now every year, the North Lawn once again transformed an outdoor yoga study with views of the East River. After a stretch of rainy and gray days, the sky had finally cleared, which made it a bright and warm day.
And Yoga enthusiasts, including diplomats, officials and UN staff, took the most, displaying their mats: bodies and minds flexing.
Peter Rogina, founder of the Peace Lights project, was delighted to return to the headquarters and recalled with love the 2019 event, which moved to the interior of the General Assembly Hall due to the rain.
“I love the opportunity to practice with such a large group of people, energy is amplified … and I also have my son with me, so to present this experience, I am also very excited.”
Lama Aria Drolma is a Buddhist teacher and meditation expert.
A monastic Buddhist Lama Aria Drolma arrives at the UN every year to participate in the event. His path has taken her from the world of corporate modeling to a more reflective place of inner peace and meditation.
“When I was a small child who grew in India, he used to practice yoga. He touches not only the body but also the soul. It is also very meditative. I think yoga is one of the healthiest things we can all do to take care of our health.”
‘A family’
The emphasis on personal well -being also highlighted the benefits of yoga that goes beyond people to cover the health of the entire planet.
Organized by the permanent mission of India to the UN in collaboration with the UN Secretariat, the issue of this year’s event was, Yoga for a land, a health.
The permanent representative ambassador of India, P. Harish, pointed out how a vital truth underlines: personal well -being and planetary health are deeply interconnected.
“When taking care of ourselves, we began to take care of the earth, reflecting the durable Indian spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakamor the whole world is a family. “
“11th The Yoga Day Edition offers us the opportunity to reflect on how yoga has become a global force for well -being, touching people in age groups, geographies and areas of life, ”he added.
Echoing that, Didi Ananda Radichika Acharya of the Welfare Center of the Women of Ananda Marga pointed out that, more than an exercise, yoga is a way of discovering the meaning of unity with you, the world and nature.
“On the outside, we are our bodies, within that is our mind. Too much inside, there is something that always presents us, observing. That is our soul. Through yoga, we can reach that inner space. When we deepen the depths of our mind through yoga, we realize how deeply connected we are all.”
A symbol of hope
The grass participants went from experienced practitioners to curious first tims, involved in basic yoga asanas (poses), breathing techniques and stretching exercises.
Marking International Yoga Day at the UN Headquarters in New York City. (June 20, 2025)
The highlight of the program was a guided meditation session by the renowned doctor and a leading figure on integrative well -being, Dr. Deepak Chopra.
Marta Shedletsky of the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center in New York attended the session in search of a sense of community, trust and hope. The place had a special meaning for her.
“What is happening in the world these days, with all the agitation and all the wars that are happening, this place feels like a symbol of hope for a better future and the possibility of peace.”
