On June 21st, International Yoga Day 2023 featured a unique initiative called the ‘Ocean Ring of Yoga’. The Ministry of Ayush with the support of the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, had planned this event where yoga demonstrations were held at numerous ports and on various ships. Additionally, several friendly nations joined hands in this collaborative endeavor.
In line with the theme of “Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, which means “Yoga for One Earth, One Family, One Future” for this year, the Ocean Ring of Yoga program aimed to highlight the transformative power of yoga in promoting global unity and fostering harmonious coexistence.
More about Ocean Ring of Yoga
Indian Navy Promoting Yoga Globally
- The Indian Navy has been a prominent advocate of yoga on an international level for several years.
- Yoga sessions are regularly organized at foreign ports visited by Indian Naval ships, spreading awareness about the numerous benefits of yoga and promoting a healthy lifestyle.
- In line with this commitment, the Indian Navy is actively supporting International Yoga Day on a global scale this year.
- Indian Naval ships, including Kiltan, Chennai, Shivalik, Sunayna, Trishul, Tarkash, Vagir, Sumitra, and Brahmaputra, have planned port calls at various locations such as Chattogram (Bangladesh), Safaga (Egypt), Jakarta (Indonesia), Mombasa (Kenya), Toamasina (Madagascar), Muscat (Oman), Colombo (Sri Lanka), Phuket (Thailand), and Dubai (UAE).
- These port calls provide an opportunity to engage in yoga activities and further promote the significance of yoga worldwide.
Indian Navy’s Journey
- As part of the International Yoga Day Ocean Ring of Yoga initiative, approximately 3,500 naval personnel on board 19 Indian Naval ships have traveled over 35,000 kilometers as ambassadors of Yoga in national and international waters.
- This includes more than 2,400 personnel on 11 Indian Naval ships at foreign ports and international waters.
- It is noteworthy that International Yoga Day celebrations are also planned on board ships of several foreign Navies in collaboration with Indian overseas Missions, involving over 1,200 foreign Navy personnel.
- This collective effort demonstrates the widespread participation and engagement of naval forces from various countries in celebrating and promoting the practice of Yoga.
Activities
- During International Yoga Day 2023, the activities organized by the Indian Naval ships at foreign ports will involve the ship’s crew and personnel from the host country.
- The primary focus of these activities will be on the ‘Common Yoga Protocol’ (CYP), which aims to increase global awareness about yoga and highlight its immense potential in improving physical, psychological, and emotional well-being.
- The goal is to encourage the widespread adoption of yoga worldwide and promote its benefits on an international scale.
- The International Yoga Day 2023 activities have begun at all naval ports, bases, ships, and establishments. These activities involve the practice of the CYP and various other yoga-related activities on a daily basis leading up to the final event on June 21, 2023.
- The Navy is actively promoting yoga awareness campaigns to encourage maximum participation from naval personnel, defense civilians, and their families. These campaigns align with the initiatives of the Ministry of AYUSH, including ‘Har Angaan Yoga’.
- Additionally, the Navy is organizing mass camps, workshops, poster-making competitions, quizzes, and lectures on the health benefits of yoga across its establishments to further promote the practice of yoga.
About International Yoga Day 2023
Every year on June 21st, people worldwide celebrate International Yoga Day to promote the numerous benefits of practicing yoga. This special day coincides with the summer solstice, which is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness about the holistic advantages that yoga offers for our well-being. It emphasizes the importance of finding balance in our fast-paced lives and encourages harmony in our physical, mental, and spiritual aspects. Yoga helps us cultivate mindfulness, reduce stress, and enhance our overall health and vitality.
In its 9th edition, this year’s International Day of Yoga was led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the United Nations Headquarters on June 21st. This was the first time that the Prime Minister will conduct a yoga session at this prestigious location.
The history of International Yoga Day can be traced back to 2014 when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed the idea of an international day dedicated to yoga during his address to the United Nations General Assembly. He described yoga as “an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition” and said that it could “contribute to creating a healthier planet.” He emphasized that yoga is not solely about physical exercise but also a means to discover a sense of unity with oneself, the world, and nature.
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