Consulate General of India announces celebrations across Texas for fifth International Day of Yoga

(HOUSTON, TEXAS – June 12, 2019) – The Consulate General of India, Houston, in collaboration with Friends of Yoga, is organizing several events across Texas to celebrate the fifth International Day of Yoga (IDY). Houston will celebrate IDY on Friday, June 21 on the lush green lawns of Midtown Park (2811 Travis St., Houston, Texas 77006). The event will begin at 6 p.m. with a demonstration of some of the more difficult yoga postures (asanas) and a cultural program. After brief remarks from the Consul General of India Dr. Anupam Ray, the guided group yoga (Asanas or Postures), Relaxation, Pranayama and Meditation will be led by different yoga experts. The event will wrap up at 7:30 p.m. with a color powder dance party, or Holi, as it is known in India. To RSVP, see yogadayoftexas2019.eventbrite.com.

This ancient Indian practice received unprecedented global attention four years ago when the United Nations recognized June 21 as the International Day of Yoga. As an initiative of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who himself starts his morning with yoga, the first IDY in 2015 saw people turning out in huge numbers, stretching and breathing mindfully at public parks, convention centers and open spaces.

Sharad Amin, the coordinator of Houston’s yoga events and a firm believer in yoga for optimum health, expressed his appreciation for the cooperation from Houston’s yoga community in celebrating IDY for the past four years. Yoga is a precious gift given by Indian sages to humanity he noted, and emphasized the importance of practicing yoga for good health every day. “Each one should teach one” the health benefits of yoga as it is key to “being and well-being,” Amin adds.

The Hindu Temple of The Woodlands will host an IDY event on Saturday, June 22 from 7:30 - 10 a.m. at the Town Green Park (2099 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands, Texas 77380). Opening remarks will be made by Consul General Dr. Anupam Ray, followed by yoga practices from participating yoga studios, Surya Namaskars (or the Sun Salutation practice) by HTW Yoga Group and the 35-minute yoga protocol set by the Government of India led by renowned yoga instructors Sriram Sarvotam and his wife Ekaterina Jeleva. The morning will conclude with a guided meditation session.

Yoga’s soaring popularity can be seen from the crowds that join in the celebration every year. From serious yoga practitioners to curious beginners, each successive IDY has been drawing bigger crowds and garnering greater interest. As with every year, this year’s events will feature a lineup of common yoga practices, relaxation techniques and guided meditation by well-known yoga instructors. An added attraction is an Indian Vegetarian Food Festival which will be held at select places to mark the 150th year of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary.

The Consulate General of India, Houston has also planned a series of events in Austin, Dallas and San Antonio. IDY will be observed in Austin in front of the State Capitol building on Saturday, June 15 at 6 p.m. (1100 Congress Ave, Austin, Texas 78701), in Dallas on Saturday, June 22 at 8 a.m. at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Plaza (1201 Hidden Ridge Dr., Irving, Texas, 75038) and in San Antonio on Friday, June 21 at 6 p.m. at the Riverwalk Mall (San Antonio, Texas – 78205).

In addition to these main events, multiple events are being organized at churches, temples, community centers, Arya Samaj Greater Houston, Brahma Kumaris, India House, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh Shakas (HSS), Jamatkhanas and Patanjali Yogpeeth USA Trust between June 15 - 23.

IDY events are free and open to all. Attendees are asked to bring their own yoga mats and plan to arrive 20 minutes ahead to find a comfortable spot. For more information, see the IDY website, Facebook page and Twitter.