International Day of Yoga draws 10,000 to Times Square in New York

Nearly 10,000 people gathered at Times Square in New York to mark the 12th International Day of Yoga. The turnout underlined yoga's growing place in American daily life and its message of healthy ageing.

In Short

• The celebration was organised by the Indian Consulate and Times Square Alliance
• The programme featured seven sessions covering meditation, breathing exercises and guided yoga
• HR Nagendra called yoga a practical discipline for today's modern life

Thousands of yoga enthusiasts and practitioners gathered at Times Square in New York on Sunday for a day-long celebration to mark the 12th International Day of Yoga. The event was organised by the Consulate General of India in New York in partnership with the Times Square Alliance.

Nearly 10,000 people of different nationalities took part in the commemoration, which was held under the theme "Yoga for Healthy Ageing". The day-long programme featured seven yoga sessions, "reflecting the widespread enthusiasm for yoga across New York City and the United States," the Indian Consulate said in a statement.

Padmashri Guru Dr HR Nagendra, a yoga master, meditation expert and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's yoga guru, attended the event. In his address, he urged participants to see yoga not only as an ancient tradition but also as a practical and transformative discipline for modern life. He also spoke about the enduring relevance of yoga and meditation in ensuring a healthy and harmonious lifestyle.

Consul General of India in New York Binaya Pradhan welcomed the growing popularity of yoga in the United States, saying it had become part of the daily life of Americans and the Indian-American community. People from different walks of life arrived early in the morning and rolled out their mats in the heart of the popular New York City destination.

Several yoga teachers and experts led meditation, exercise and breathing sessions through the day as thousands joined the activities. Officials and staff of the Indian Consulate, along with members of the diaspora, also took part in the sessions.

In the lead-up to the main event, the Consulate organised a series of yoga sessions and outreach programmes across its jurisdiction, including New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Ohio. According to the Consulate, these month-long activities saw enthusiastic participation from local communities and yoga practitioners, helping deepen awareness and engagement around yoga ahead of the Times Square event.

With PTI Inputs

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