Yoga enthusiasts held a session for children in Auckland as part of events to mark International Yoga Day. Photo: Supplied / Auckland Indian Association / Indian High Commission
Yoga enthusiasts have celebrated the ninth International Day of Yoga by breathing, stretching and meditating at more than 20 events nationwide.
This year's theme was "vasudhaiva kutumbakam," which means "the world is one family".
The International Day of Yoga has been celebrated by millions worldwide on 21 June each year since 2015, after being initiated by the UN General Assembly a year earlier.
The festivities this year were no different, with the Indian High Commission in Wellington partnering with organisations in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, Dunedin, Invercargill, New Plymouth and Rotorua. The day was also celebrated in Samoa, Vanuatu and the Cook Islands.
Hamilton was among cities where yoga fans got together. Photo: Supplied / Indian High Commission / Ekal Vidyalya
One of the prominent celebrations took place on the grounds of Parliament in Wellington, hosted by the Art of Living New Zealand.
The high commissioner of India in New Zealand, Neeta Bushan, praised yoga's inclusion in the curriculum of several educational institutions and fitness centres nationwide.
She highlighted the role yoga played in fostering people-to-people ties between India and New Zealand.
"Yoga is well-known for its health benefits and healing properties," Bushan said. "It alleviates physical distress and aids mental well-being. There are many yoga centres here, which teach the techniques. In addition, many from New Zealand visit India to learn from the masters there. This strengthens the understanding of each other's cultures and traditions."
The day-long event in Wellington included demonstrations on breathing and mindfulness. Attendees were also introduced to the science of yoga.
One of the Wellington events. Photo: Supplied / Indian High Commission
Meanwhile, one of the largest gatherings happened at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre in Auckland's Eden Terrace neighbourhood on 25 June, hosted by the Auckland Indian Association.
"Yoga is India's gift to the world," association president Dhansukh Lal said. "With increasing awareness, the number of participants even from the wider community has grown steadily over the years. To inculcate the healthy habit of yoga in the younger generation, we had a special session for kids this year."
In Auckland, the Diocesan School for Girls also held a dedicated yoga session on 21 June, with one of the parents, Dinesh Pahuja, leading the children. More than 100 school children enjoyed yoga poses and light exercises, the Indian High Commission said.
Other major celebrations were organised by the Waitākere Indian Association in West Auckland, the Indian Association Manakau in South Auckland and the Indian Association Waikato and Ekal Vidyalya in Hamilton.
The Wellington Indian Association, New Plymouth Indian community and Hindu Council Rotorua also marked the day in their respective cities during the week.
"This was the first time yoga day was observed by us in West Auckland, with over 160 people participating," president of the Waitakere Indian Association Sunil Kaushal said. "Even more heartening was to see many other ethnicities, including Māori, Pacific, Chinese and Europeans take part with huge enthusiasm."
Not to be left behind, the South Island's Indian community also hosted several yoga day events throughout the week.
In Christchurch, the Indian Cultural Group took the lead. In Dunedin, it was the Arasan New Zealand Trust. In Invercargill, the Indian Community in Southland marked the day with more than 80 yoga enthusiasts demonstrating the benefits of yoga.
"Since its inception in 2015, we've annually celebrated the International Day of Yoga in Christchurch," Indian Cultural Group president Sandeep Sachdev said. "This year's theme highlights our interconnectedness and the potential to foster a world of peace, respect and understanding."
An event in Christchurch. Photo: Supplied / Indian Cultural Group / Indian High Commission
The president of the Indian Community in Southland, Vinay Sood echoed the sentiments.
"The yoga day provided us an opportunity to explore trade opportunities between Southland and India, with the Indian high commissioner making her maiden visit to the south," Sood said.
Bhushan, who is concurrently accredited to Samoa, Niue, the Cook Islands and Vanuatu, was the chief guest at Invercargill's yoga day event.
"In Samoa, Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa led the gathering at Friendship Park and shared the benefits of yoga," Bhushan said. "I hope with increased awareness more and more people make it a part of their daily lives."