​IYDC observes World Yoga Day in Toronto to promote health benefits of yoga

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Toronto, June 29 (Canadian-Media): Baba Ramdev, the founder of Patanjali Yogapeeth and Sister Shivani, a spiritual leader from the Brahma Kumari World Spiritual University held the central stage at the International Yoga Day Canada (IYDC) organised, in association with the Consulate General of India in Toronto, at Mississauga’s International Centre on Sunday June 25, 2017 to celebrate UN’s 3rd International Day of Yoga.  

  Yoga practice techniques demonstrated by Swami Ramdev    ​

IYDC, a Canadian not-for-profit organization, formed in 2015 with the aim of teaching the benefits of yoga to Canadians had been successful, for the first time in three years, in bringing together all organisations promoting yoga under one banner. This event was partnered by cities of Brampton, Markham and Richmond Hill.

The 2017 IYDC on June 25 coincided with Canada’s 150th birthday and through this program, organizers aim to promote the benefits of yoga practice and techniques as most popular and effective alternate approaches to health care among all Canadians and facilitate in building a healthier and happier Canadian society. 

International Centre in Mississauga, where the yoga sessions were held, attracted nearly 10,000 yoga enthusiasts from across the Greater Toronto Area and will be the largest assembly of yoga practitioners at a single venue in North America.

Dignitaries present among the yoga enthusiasts were Canada’s Minister of Science Kristy Duncan, Ontaio’s Minister of Senior Affairs Dipika Damerla, and  leader of the opposition Conservative Party Patrick Brown.​

​ Other participants included members of the diplomatic corps from several countries, Canadian federal and provincial leaders, several Mayors of Greater Toronto Area (GTA cities) yoga enthusiasts. 

Swami Ramdev congratulated India’s Consul General Ambassador Dinesh Bhatia, chair of the Advisory Committee of the International Yoga Day Canada (IYDC) and Satish Thakkar, chair of organising committee of IYDC.

On this occasion, Canada’s Minister of Science Honourable Kristy Duncan applauded the efforts of IYDC in organizing the program.

Bhatia acknowledged all the yoga institutions in Toronto who helped IYDC to organise the yoga festival, namely, Patanjali Yogapeeth, Art of Living, Shivananda Foundation, BKS Iyenger Yoga, Isha Foundation, Brahma Kumaris and Shri Ambika Yoga Kutir.

“I dedicate today’s yoga festival to the leadership and vision of Prime Minister Honourable Narendra Modi ji and External Affairs Minister Smt. Sushma Swaraj ji.” he said.

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Ambassador Dinesh Bhatia presenting a trophy to Baba Ramdev and Sister Shivani

​​Thakkar, in his opening remarks emphasized the benefits of Yoga.

 “With Canadian demographics transforming rapidly and radically, and seniors outnumbering all other age groups, Canadian health care budgets may spiral unimaginably. Yoga can alleviate health care costs,” said Thakkar.

Baba Ramdev, world’s renowned Yogrishi and founder of the Patanjali Group is also well known for his work in Ayurveda.

He has about 800 million followers and besides receiving many honours in India, Baba Ramdev had been honoured by the Legislature of State of New Jersey for his remarkable commitment in improving mental and physical health of people of all social backgrounds, races and religions as well as the British House of Commons.

In 2016, popular American business magazine Fast Company featured him in their Top 100 Most Creative People in Business.
The morning yoga session was held by Baba Ramdev with breakout sessions by different stakeholder yoga organisations.

During the three-hour yoga session he held with over 5000 participants, Baba Ramdev demonstrated the yoga exercises with great wit and showing proper yoga technique and said curbing world desires and selflessness alone can lead one to salvation and stability.

Baba Ramdev’s session was followed by Sister Shivani of Brahma Kumaris who conducted Raj yoga meditation sessions in the evening and approximately 5000 yoga enthusiasts attended the programme and held the audience spell bound with her discourse and wise preachings.

Sister Shivani’s television series on Aastha channel called “Awakening with Brahma Kumaris”, and other television series like Rajayoga Meditation, Emotional Intelligence and Practical Spirituality had won her great fame.

Sister Shivani was honored, in 2014, with Women of the Decade Achievers Award by ALL Ladies League for Excellence in Empowering Spiritual Consciousness.

“Raj yoga is more than merely physical exercise, it is the yoga of mind that lays emphasis on being aware of one’s state of mind. Through the practice of awakening and sustaining a spiritual awareness, one learns to calm the mind and increase one’s inner resources and overall sense of wellbeing,” she said.

The program was televised live through ATN, PTC and ZeeTV Canada, IYDC's website and social media.
 
(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)