International Day of Yoga 2024 at Koto Ku June 16

Press Release

June 16th, 2024, Koto-Ku Tokyo: The second International Day of Yoga event occurred at the esteemed Fukagawa Elementary School in Koto-Ku Tokyo. Unique in its celebration of the ancient practice of Yoga, it was a testament to the growing global interest in wellness and self-care.

Overview

The success of this event was a remarkable achievement, a testament to the power of collaboration. 一般社団法人Patanjali Japan Foundation, the Embassy of India, 一般社団法人Buzz Cre, and Koto-Ku Sports Foundation united their efforts to organize this event, continuing the tradition of the International Day of Yoga event in Tokyo that began in 2022. This collective effort not only showcased the universal appeal of Yoga and wellness but also made each of us a part of this significant accomplishment.

The event was honored by the presence of Mr. Kaname Yoshida Koto-Ku Ward, a councilor who has been instrumental in promoting wellness initiatives in Koto-Ku. His vision of making KotoKu a wellness town resonates with the ikigai (personal goal) of Ashutosh Sensei, who aims to combat stress, depression, and suicide in Japanese society through the power of routine with a traditional approach of Yoga and Ayurveda.

Guests were welcomed into the venue at 8:30 AM, and Ayumi san, Yuki san, and Mika san performed a beautiful, soothing kirtan on stage. The music helped set the tone for the day, and participants gradually began setting up their yoga mats.

Part 1: Opening of the Event

The event started with a vibrant Bharatnatyam dance performance, a traditional dance form originating from Tamil Nadu, one of the southern states of Bharat (India). Yoko san, a renowned dancer, graced the stage with her performance, setting the tone for the rest of the event. A lamp lighting ceremony was also held as per our usual routine for grand events.

PJF members also remembered our prominent pillar, Ms. Dhanashree Date sensei, who passed away recently and gave a silent prayer in her remembrance. She was the Director, founding member, and teacher's head of the Department of PJF.

Yoga Sessions

The second part of the event consisted of a 45-minute Common Yoga Protocol practice, which was led by PJF member Luly sensei and demonstrated by Ayumi sensei on the stage. The protocol was designed to be practiced on the International Day of Yoga and passed by the United Nations. The Steering committee, under the leadership of the Ministry of AYUSH (Government of Bharat), designed the Common Yoga Protocol, which beginners can practice without much effort. The professional yoga teachers performed common yoga protocols on the stage. At the same time, Kazuto Sashihara played a live tabla (traditional musical instrument) in the background.

Part 3 was designed as one of the unique contents of PJF. Ashutosh Sensei led the pranayama special yoga session. This program included the silver triangle (Kapalbhati, Anulom vilom, and Bhramri) while listening to traditional music and watching a kalaripayattu performance, which is said to be the mother of martial arts originated in Kerala, a southern state of Bharat (India), by Yoko san and live performance of Odissi dance originated in Odissa state, eastern part of Bharat (India) by Sachiko san.

Our one-hour pranayama program was designed to enhance one's well-being. It involves high oxygen intake, balancing both sides of the brain, and calming one's mind by vibrating brain cells. The meditation that followed pranayama for more than 15 minutes was a moment of complete silence, allowing participants to connect with their inner selves.

Yumi expressed heartfelt gratitude to all the team members, volunteers, and supporters in her concluding remarks. She also thanked our sponsors and collaborators, who made this event possible.

Closing Comments

The day finished off with all team members sharing light moments having lunch together and planned for next year's International Day of Yoga. Over 50 people attended the event and PJF received very positive feedback. Ashutosh sensei appealed to everyone to learn the basics of Yoga here and include it in their daily routine, and next year, share your experiences of yogic lifestyle with everyone.

As part of our commitment to promoting a healthy lifestyle, PJF distributed Routine cards to all the participants. These cards entitle the holders to 3 months of free daily yoga classes, led by experts certified by the Ministry of AYUSH (Government of Bharat (India)). This initiative aims to support participants in continuing their daily healthy/yogic routine beyond the event.

Overall, the event was a great success and laid the foundation for a new chapter of Healthy Society in Japan. We are excited about the future as we continue to promote a healthy lifestyle and look forward to the positive impact we can make together.

We look forward to next year’s International Day of Yoga events!

Please seek all updates regarding IDY here: www.yoga.patanjali.jp/idy