Yoga, derived from the Sanskrit word yuj, meaning, union of the individual consciousness or soul with the Universal Consciousness or Spirit. Yoga is a more than 5000 year old Indian body of knowledge. Many think of yoga only as a physical exercise, where people twist, turn, stretch and breathe in the most complex ways, these are actually the most superficial aspect of this profound science of unfolding the infinite potentials of the human mind and soul.
The body is born with simple yoga asanas that are part of a child’s body language from the minute he is born. An infant unconsciously follows the yogamudras. If you observe a sleeping child, its thumb and the index finger slightly touch, a formation called ‘Chinmudra’. You might have seen a six month old baby lying on its back with its legs up. It kicks its legs and head also up, almost like what you do with the abs (abdominal) machine. Then it goes on its back and does the ‘cobra’ posture in yoga.
One is born with yoga, but the modern mind is preoccupied with so many things, so many judgments, so many opinions and so many impressions that we are unable to observe, perceive the refined things, we naturally have an affinity for. If you observe an infant, you will be amazed at how balanced he breathes. Babies breathe from all the three sections of the body. As they breathe in their belly comes out, as they breathe out their belly moves in.
The Consul General of India, Indo American Foundation of Arizona and Hindu SwayamSevak Sangh (HSS) worked together with sister organizations and organized IDYAZ 2016 event to mark the 2nd International Day of Yoga at IACRF Hall, 2809, W Maryland Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85017 on Saturday, June 25th, 2016 from 9:00am-2:00pm.
The Indo-American Cultural and Religious Foundation of Arizona is a group of visionary community leaders with the goal of keeping the community united and support the Indo-American community’s social, cultural and religious activities in the metro Phoenix area. They provide the Indo-American community with a campus for social and religious services.
The event had overwhelming response with more than 340 adult registrations and 110 Kids registrations and was organized in 3 big event Halls. More than 260 adults and more than 100 kids enthusiastically attended and participated in this, probably the largest yoga event organized in Arizona.
The event was lead by a team of well experienced certified Yoga Teachers (Anita Rangaswami, Vijay Kumar, Anila A, Shampa Sudhakar and a Kids Yoga specialist Shobana Bhat of Isha Foundation).
The Yoga teachers started with Sadilaja / C̣alana Kriyas / Loosening Practices. Then the Standing postures (Tadasana, Vṛikṣasana, PadaHastasana, Ardha Cakrasana, Trikonasana). Then the Siting Postures (Bhadrasana, Vajrasan, ArdhaUstrasana, Ustrasana, Sasankasana, Uttan Mandukasana). Then Pron Postures (Makarasana, Bhujangasana, Śalabhasana) then Supine Postures (Setubandhasana, Uttana Padasana, Ardha Halasna, Pavanamuktasana) followed with Yoga Nidra and Pranayamas and a special meditation session by Isha Foundation.
More details about the International Day
More information about the Sustainable Development Goals
Contact Persons
Mr. Shyam S Byra – HSS
Mr. Rajyaguru - HSS
Mr. Jagdish Sagar – Chair Person IACRF
Mr. Subash Thathi – President, IACRF
Mrs.Anita Rangaswami – Yoga Teacher
Mrs. Shobana Bhat – Kids Yoga Teacher
Mr. Vijay Kumar – Yoga Teacher
By Premji
