The India Embassy to the Lao PDR held virtually a ‘Curtain Raiser for the 7th International Day of Yoga’ on Jun 13.
The International Day of Yoga aims to raise awareness worldwide about benefits of practicing yoga.
President of the Lao– India Friendship Association Bountiem Phissamay and more than 40 people from all walks of the society participated in the event.
While addressing the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Sep 27, 2014, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi urged the world community to adopt an International Day of Yoga. In December 2014, the United Nations had unanimously adopted a resolution to mark Jun 21 as the International Day of Yoga (IDY).
Yoga is an invaluable gift of ancient Indian tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body, thought and action, restraint and fulfillment, harmony between man and nature, and a holistic approach to health and well-being. In the challenging times we are faced with today, Yoga is a solution that can create global harmony through individual transformation. Yoga is a powerful tool that can help us overcome limitations within ourselves and set us on the path of becoming more joyful, vibrant, conscious and productive individuals.
Ambassador of India to Laos Dinkar Asthana welcomed the participants and spoke about the benefits of Yoga and encouraged the participants to practise Yoga as part of daily activity for health, happiness, harmony and peace.
He mentioned that practicing yoga regularly not only boosts our immunity but also improves our physical and mental health and well-being. It is especially relevant during ongoing pandemic times when people have to stay indoors for long periods which has affected their mental health. Yoga helps us greatly to overcome this. Yoga can be practiced by anybody and it does not require much infrastructure or equipment.
President of the Lao – India Friendship Association Bountiem Phissamay mentioned that we learnt from ancient scriptures that Yoga first started in India. Yoga, however, should not be linked to any particular religion. Yoga is for the physical and mental well-being of the person who is practicing it. It is a form of physical exercises or postures and some breathing exercises. Yoga boosts our immunity, which is the need of the hour especially during this pandemic time.
During the 45 minutes yoga session, Isha Foundation instructor guided the participants through various Asanas beneficial to enhance vitality, focus, memory and productivity; stabilize the body, mind and emotions; strengthen and stabilize the spine; relief from back pain, stress, anxiety and tension ; alleviate chronic ailments and improve overall health and a lasting sense of joy, peace and fulfilment.
The Embassy will organise the main event to mark the 7th International Day of Yoga 2021 on Jun 26, 2021, also in virtual mode.
Source: Lao News Agency