Ahead of International Yoga Day on June 21, hundreds of fitness enthusiasts gathered at iconic Trafalgar Square in London on Saturday to celebrate the ancient Indian wellness practice. More than 700 people participated in the event organised by the Indian mission in the UK.
Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami expressed delight at the turnout, underlining the inclusive nature of yoga. “Yoga lovers and enthusiasts from London gathered at #TrafalgarSquare to celebrate the 10th International Day of Yoga today,” the Indian mission in the UK said in a post on social media platform X.
A special thanks to all the instructors who led the performances and guided the audience through different steps and forms of yoga. @ArtofLiving @ishafoundation @SRMDharampur #IyengarYoga @heartfulness @VDoraiswami @sujitjoyghosh #IDY2024 #YogaForAll #YogaForSelfAndSociety pic.twitter.com/rDCvZBdUj4— India in the UK (@HCI_London) June 15, 2024
Yoga lovers and enthusiasts from London gathered at #TrafalgarSquare to celebrate the 10th International Day of Yoga today. #YogaForSelfAndSociety #YogaForAll #InternationalYogaDay2024 #IDY2024 #YogaAtTrafalgarSquare@ANI @DDNewslive @WIONews @MayorofLondon pic.twitter.com/4T6kKd0HQt— India in the UK (@HCI_London) June 15, 2024
‘Diverse communities’
“It was a great pleasure to see over 700 people here at this central spot in London, surrounded by iconic statues,” the Indian High Commissioner was quoted as saying by ANI. Doraiswami highlighted the diverse participation from various yoga schools and communities, underscoring yoga’s role in uniting people from all walks of life.
“Diverse communities were present, exemplifying the point that our prime minister has said that yoga unites everybody and that yoga is, for everybody… The idea was to be to take through the continuity of yoga as a means of healing and as a means of growing,” he added.
#WATCH | London, United Kingdom: Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami says, “… It was a great pleasure to be able to have well over 700 people here in this central spot in London and to have multiple yoga schools come here and lead us in the practice of yoga…… pic.twitter.com/EfOV12Tqiu— ANI (@ANI) June 15, 2024
This year’s event showcased increased participation, with additional yoga schools and a broader range of community involvement. However, Doraiswami said that the essence of the gathering remained focused on yoga’s healing and personal growth benefits, rather than mere numbers.
Hirdesh Gupta, Co-founder of the Indian Diaspora in the UK, echoed this sentiment, expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for promoting yoga globally. “Today, we celebrate the 10th International Day of Yoga here at Trafalgar Square,” Gupta said. “Many have joined to embrace yoga as a daily practice.”
#WATCH | London, United Kingdom: Co-founder of the Indian Diaspora in the UK Hirdesh Gupta says, “We are here today at Trafalgar Square to celebrate the 10th International Day of Yoga organised by the High Commission of India. A lot of people here have joined in today to… pic.twitter.com/2lXutIJSvw— ANI (@ANI) June 15, 2024
The event’s theme, “women’s empowerment,” highlighted the role of yoga in promoting gender equality and personal empowerment. Participants engaged in various yoga practices, illustrating its universal appeal and health benefits. The word ‘Yoga’ is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Yuj’ which means ‘to join’. The celebration of yoga underscores its enduring significance as a cultural bridge and wellness practice embraced worldwide.
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