The Embassy of India, in partnership with SM Supermalls, led the celebration of the annual International Day of Yoga (IDY). Held at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City on June 21, 2024, the event was supported by various Indian diaspora, and attended by over 100 participants who practiced yoga asanas drawn from the Common Yoga Protocol under the guidance of the leading yoga gurus and experts in the Philippines.
With the theme, “Yoga for Self and Society”, the IDY is a movement emphasizing on self and society’s well-being while promoting global health and peace. Yoga can be a comprehensive instrument for society encompassing physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being which was also inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016.
The event was addressed by respected personalities as guest of honors: Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITACH) Director General Ma. Teresa C. Inigo, MD, FPCAM, CESE; Cultural Center of the Philippines Chairman Dr. Jaime C. Laya; Resident Coordinator from the United Nations in the Philippines Gustavo Gonzales; and a video message from the Department of Health Secretary Dr. Teodoro J. Herbosa.
Focused on self and society, the yoga practice was led by yoga gurus and experts showcasing their skills in various yoga practices such as asanas, pranayama and meditation. The practice commenced with the Suryanamaskar (sun salutation), led Janice Cuevas-Puzon, a certified Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga teacher, followed by the practice of key yoga asanas led Donna Lampano, a certified yoga guru. Then, Clara Day Herrera, a certified international expert guided the participants through the Pranayama breathing practice. Iachina Hernandez, the founder of Better Life Studio, concluded the event with a meditation session. Yoga enthusiasts also cited take the yoga pledge, which may be accessed on the embassy's website.
Dr. Sadre Alam, Charge d' Affaires to the Philippines, congratulated the local yoga teachers who took part in the celebration. He noted that holistic approach is increasing in popularity in the Philippines. The ancient Indian tradition of Ayurveda also generated considerable interest among Filipinos as an alternative method to complement modern medicine.
Several Filipino yoga practitioners have visited India and received training as certified yoga teachers, thereby deepening the people-to-people cultural exchanges between India and the Philippines. Through the annual celebration of IDY and other activities, they hope to enhance the reach of the healing practice of yoga.
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed June 21 as International Day of Yoga in December 2014.