Consulate General of India
Cape Town
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The Consulate General of India in Cape Town, in collaboration with Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, celebrated the 9th International Day of Yoga (IDY) at the iconic Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden on 24th June, 2023 under the theme “Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the whole world is one family)”. In line with 9th IDY’s theme, around 250 yoga gurus, yoga enthusiasts and people from diverse cultures, backgrounds and age groups came together to celebrate a shared passion for wellness and express their deep commitment to practicing yoga.
2. Ms. Ronel Viljoen, Portfolio Committee Chair for Community Services and Health, City of Cape Town was the Guest of Honour representing the City of Cape Town at the event.
3. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Ashok Babu, Consul General of India highlighted the fact that yoga can contribute in a holistic way to achieve equilibrium between body and mind. He also thanked all yoga gurus and enthusiasts for participating in big numbers and assisting the Consulate in successfully organizing the event.
4. While yoga gurus and instructors used these celebrations as a platform to share their knowledge and guide individuals in their yogic journey, yoga enthusiasts used the occasion to spread awareness about the various yoga asanas and their unique benefits.
5. To give a brief background about Yoga and IDY, Yoga is a 5,000 year old practice originated in India. The word ‘yoga’ is derived from Sanskrit, which means ‘to join’ or ‘to unite’. It symbolizes the harmony between mind, body and spirit.. It is firmly believed that through the practice of yoga, individuals gain a deeper connection with their inner selves and fostering self
awareness. Today, Yoga is gaining popularity around the globe and is practiced in various forms. Yoga's positive impact on mental health is widely acknowledged, as it is believed to aid in stress reduction, anxiety management, and cultivating a peaceful state of mind.
6. In 2014, the United Nations General Assembly had announced June 21 as the International Day of Yoga. The longest day of the year or the summer solstice was chosen as International Yoga Day.
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