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The 9th International Yoga Day event was organized by the Embassy of India in Hanoi, the Hanoi Yoga Federation, in collaboration with the Hanoi People's Committee and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
The event featured a sacred yoga fire ceremony, beautiful group performances, and vibrant moments by Hoan Kiem Lake, blending the colors of the trees, water, and azure sky. Besides Hanoi, many yoga clubs from northern provinces such as Thanh Hoa, Bac Giang, and Phu Tho also participated.
The 9th International Yoga Day is themed “One World, One Health”.
June 21, 2023 marked the 9th International Yoga Day, celebrated worldwide with the theme "One World, One Health," emphasizing the unity and harmony between individuals and communities, national and international aspects, for the common good. Following the Covid-19 pandemic, more and more people are understanding and experiencing the practical and free benefits of yoga. Yoga is suitable for everyone, from all walks of life, helping to cultivate a conscious lifestyle, protect the environment, and preserve the planet.
Mr. Sandeep Arya, Ambassador of India to Vietnam, expressed his hope that such meaningful messages and values will spread even further to enhance the value of health in general and yoga in particular. He affirmed that Vietnam is an important partner of India in promoting and celebrating International Yoga Day. The widespread popularity of yoga in Vietnam shows a deep understanding of the benefits of practicing yoga in Vietnam and the role of this discipline in the profound cultural and human connection between the two countries.
Sacred yoga fire ritual
The June Yoga Festival is an annual event organized by the Hanoi City Yoga Federation. The Federation creates a platform for professional activities, training, competitions, and yoga performances, encouraging and spreading the yoga practice movement among the people of Hanoi and many neighboring provinces.
According to United Nations statistics, there are currently over 2 billion people practicing yoga worldwide, with over 300 million practicing yoga daily. Data from the US CDC also shows that 60% of practitioners experience significant improvement in insomnia after practicing. In the US, yoga has become a popular exercise movement, with a growth rate of 63.8% from 2010 to 2021. While official figures for Vietnam are unavailable, there are thousands of yoga clubs in various provinces and cities, with hundreds of thousands of practitioners daily. Yoga has become a lifestyle and exercise trend, attracting people of all ages, genders, and professions, helping to restore natural balance, physical health, and mental well-being.
In Hanoi, nearly 1,500 people participated in the 9th International Yoga Day celebration.
Yoga is an ancient art that embodies the unity of mind and body, of thought and action, the harmony between man and nature, and a holistic approach to health and well-being. The word yoga signifies the integration of individual consciousness with universal consciousness, and the practice of yoga promotes a balanced attitude in daily life.
On December 11, 2014, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) unanimously adopted a resolution, with the support of 177 countries, declaring June 21 as International Yoga Day. The UNGA calls on everyone to raise awareness of the health benefits of practicing yoga for people around the world.
