On the morning of June 21, 2015, the opening ceremony of the first-ever International Day of Yoga was held at May Fourth track and field, Peking University (PKU), and at the same time, the curtain raising ceremony for the 2015 Peking University International Culture Festival was held. The International Day of Yoga was co-hosted by Office of International Relations of PKU, the Embassy of India in China, and the Art of Living group.
Vice President of PKU, Li Yansong, and other distinguished guests such as Ashok K. Kantha, India's Ambassador to China, Dr. Catherine Sozi, UNAIDS country director in China, were present and spoke during the ceremony. Vice President Li Yansong stressed that PKU has been promoting exchange and cooperation for culture and education with the establishment of the Center for Indian Studies since 2003. He hoped that China and India could pursue the inspiration of health and peace through yoga. Ashok K. Kantha also wished China to become the second home of yoga, as more and more people practice yoga in China. After the speech made by Ashok K. Kantha, all the guests released balloons, marking an official start to this exciting day.
The International Culture Festival has been a window for PKU to communicate with the world, and it attracts thousands of fans every year, and its curtain raising was held after the International Day of Yoga remarks. The special event symbolizing the beginning of International Culture Festival 2015 has attracted increasing attention from both inside and outside the university, with teachers and students actively involved at PKU.
At the ceremony, more than five hundred yoga enthusiasts in Beijing gathered together to practice yoga. Men and women, old and young, Chinese and Indians, they all set their yoga mats out, wore comfortable clothes, and began to perform yoga in honor of the special day. After the practice, yoga enthusiasts also enjoyed 4 sessions of Yoga workshops from 9:45AM to 15:30 PM, learning basic movements, meditation techniques, and India's distinct breathing method.
Yoga is an ancient physical, mental, and spiritual practice that originated in India. The word "yoga" derives from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and mind. Today, it is practiced in various forms around the world and continues to grow in popularity. On September 27, 2014, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a day dedicated to yoga. A draft resolution establishing the International Day of Yoga was proposed by India and enjoyed great support by other UN members. Then, on Dec. 11, 2014, the United Nations proclaimed June 21st as International Yoga Day by resolution 69/131.
The first International Day of Yoga has greatly facilitated cultural exchanges and mutual understanding of yoga. As the last session of workshop finished, people reluctantly said their farewells to the first International Day of Yoga. Finally, we look forward to an exciting and vibrant International Culture Festival at Peking University in Fall 2015!
Written by Liu Meina
