By Juliana Di Leonardo
June is a very special month for many different reasons. In the United States we celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, the end of the school year, the first day of summer and International Yoga Day. People around this time begin to enjoy the warm weather while connecting with their community and the nature that surrounds them. It is truly a time when people come alive and appreciate the gifts and transitions that life provides us.
International Yoga Day falls perfectly on June 21st, the day after the summer solstice, which marks the year's longest day. It brings gratitude for nature, our bodies, and cultivates the understanding that our togetherness, our oneness, will aid in bringing peace into our ever-thirsty world. This year I had the pleasure of joining the International Yoga Day celebration at the United Nations building in Manhattan, an event that was beautifully organized on the North Lawn where there were sculptures from various countries and artists sprinkled throughout with messages of peace, one of them being a piece of the Berlin wall. Thanks to The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations and the Shanti Fund this event provided an inviting setting with thick grass that cushioned each step towards laid-out yoga mats and large screens that made practitioners visible along with a great sound system that made every word audible.
The event included live music performances, dancers, pranayama—a yogic practice that involves the management or control of the breath, an asana practice—poses that are sequenced together to help move energy and connect individuals to the present moment, sound healing—the use of vibrations and frequencies to heal the body, and some takeaway vegan meals. The instructions during the pranayama and asana practice were slow and educational, allowing people to practice the breathwork and poses with ease and enjoyment. It was a great experience that made yoga accessible for all the attendees and made the message clear that yoga is not limited to your mat, but that kindness and peace also begin on your plate.
For this week’s Anuvrat, I encourage you to incorporate yoga practice into your weekly routine. It doesn’t mean you need to take a special class, but it will require you to be more conscious and self-aware. If you’re feeling stressed, then maybe take five minutes to breathe into your belly. Is there a food item that is causing internal distress? Then perhaps it’s your body telling you to eliminate an animal-derived food product. Lastly, maybe your body is feeling run-down and tight; give yourself some tender love and care and do a short asana sequence that will help stretch and strengthen your body. Yoga isn’t about being perfect, but the journey begins with you.
