FOOD
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For the past four years, my colleagues and I
have made annual pilgrimages to
Rishikesh, India, to explore the deeper
essence of yoga and its growing impact
around the world. The impetus for these
trips can be traced back to when Prime
Minister Modi introduced a resolution to
the United Nations calling for an
International Day of Yoga. The UN
General Assembly unanimously adopted
the resolution in December 2014.
www.yogadaysummit.com
YOGA DAY SUMMIT
Timeless wisdom for the modern world
I
t’s 4am, and a cold wind is blowing in
my face. I wrap a blanket tightly around
me as I bend and pranam to the Holy
Ganges River (Ma Ganga). I offer a
prayer of love and gratitude, scoop up a
handful of water, anoint my head, and sit to
meditate.
A global community congregating in the
birthplace of yoga to celebrate and practice
yoga — all on the banks of the Holy
Ganges River in the foothills of the
Himalayas — is a stunning and vibrant living
testament to the roots and worldwide
appeal of yoga.
The Beatles also were drawn to this area
50 years ago to practice the ancient
sciences of yoga and meditation. Their visit
in 1968 popularized Eastern spirituality and
meditation around the world.
Y O G I C
H E R A L D
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While the Yoga Day Summit showcases
yoga teachers and activities from around
the world, we anchor the online event
with numerous interviews we conducted
in the Rishikesh area, primarily at the
annual International Yoga Festival held at
Parmarth Niketan Ashram every March 1-
7.
We wanted the Yoga Day Summit to offer
insights on the ancient roots and deeper
essence of yoga while also demonstrating
its role in the modern transformation of
individuals and society. Rishikesh and its
surrounding areas are considered the
birthplace of yoga, making it an ideal setting
for tapping into the ancient roots of yoga.
The annual International Yoga Festival
attracts over 2,000 people from nearly
100 countries.
As I position myself on a yoga mat, I reflect
on the great saints and sages who for
thousands of years have reached
enlightenment by practicing yoga and
meditation along the banks of Ma Ganga
and in the surrounding Himalayan caves.
The passing thoughts of those who have
gone before me increase my gratitude for
the opportunity to be meditating in this
sacred environment. As I start a Kriya Yoga
meditation practice, time seems to
disappear and I enter a stillness amidst the
sound of Ma Ganga’s flowing waters.
To celebrate the creation of the
International Day of Yoga, my colleagues
and I at The Shift Network, together with
friends at Parmarth Niketan Ashram,
U P L I F T, a n d n u m e r o u s o t h e r
organizations, created the Yoga Day
Summit — a free annual online event
taking place every June 21.
The Beatles also were
drawn to this area 50 years
ago to practice the ancient
sciences of yoga and
meditation.
Over the past several years, my colleague
Sandra de Castro Buffington, Founder and
former Director of the Global Media
Center for Social Impact and long-time
Kriya Yoga practitioner, and I have
interviewed a wide range of spiritual
leaders, yoga teachers, scientists,