The 9th International Yoga Day event was organized by the Embassy of India in Hanoi, Hanoi Yoga Federation, in coordination with Hanoi People's Committee, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
At the event, there was a sacred yoga fire ceremony, beautiful performances, and lively moments by Hoan Kiem Lake, blending with the colors of trees, water, and the blue sky. Besides Hanoi, there were many yoga clubs from the northern provinces: Thanh Hoa, Bac Giang, Phu Tho, etc.
The 9th International Yoga Day with the theme “One World, One Health”.
June 21, 2023 is 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, for the common health. After the Covid-19 pandemic, more and more people understand and experience the practical and free benefits of yoga. Yoga is suitable for everyone, all social classes, helping to form a conscious lifestyle, protect the environment, and preserve the green planet.
Mr. Sandeep Arya, Ambassador of India to Vietnam, expressed his hope that such meaningful messages and values will spread 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 awareness of the benefits of practicing yoga in Vietnam and its role in the deep cultural and human connection between the two countries.
Sacred yoga fire ritual
The June Yoga Festival is an annual activity of the Hanoi Yoga Federation. The Federation creates a playground, organizes professional activities, training, competitions and yoga performances, encourages and spreads the yoga practice movement to the people of the capital and many neighboring provinces.
According to statistics from the United Nations, there are currently more than 2 billion people practicing yoga in the world and over 300 million people practice yoga every day. Data from the US CDC also shows that 60% of practitioners improve their insomnia after practicing. In the US, yoga has become a popular exercise movement with a growth rate of 63.8% from 2010 to 2021. Vietnam does not have official data, but there are thousands of yoga clubs in provinces and cities with hundreds of thousands of people practicing every day. Yoga has become a lifestyle, a practice trend that attracts a large number of people of all ages, genders, and professions to participate, helping to bring people back to a state of natural balance, physical health and mental happiness.
In Hanoi, nearly 1,500 people participated in the 9th International Yoga Day.
Yoga is an ancient art of unity of mind and body, thought and action, harmony between man and nature, a holistic approach to health and well-being. The word yoga means the union of an individual's consciousness with the universal consciousness and the practice of Yoga promotes a balanced attitude in everyday life.
On December 11, 2014, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) unanimously adopted a resolution approved by 177 countries and declared June 21 as International Yoga Day. UNGA called on people to raise awareness about the health benefits of practicing Yoga for people around the world.
