Allen, TX: JKYog, an international nonprofit headquartered here, launched a new global holistic health initiative with the first of its kind online worldwide yoga festival. The JKYog International Festival of Yoga connected millions of people around the world to nearly 100 classes, interactive workshops, seminars, lectures and chats across multiple platforms. Over 7 days, from June 20th to June 26th, 2020, people tuned in both on and off the mat, from the comfort of their homes or offices.
“Making the world a healthier and happier place begins with improving our own personal health, not just physical, but mental, emotional and spiritual,” says its founder, Swami Mukundananda, an international authority on yoga and mind management. Abundant scientific and medical studies have shown the benefits of yoga, but many people are still unaware of how much it impacts health and happiness.
The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded the world of the critical role of the immune system and simultaneously demonstrated the fragility of world health. Resounding alarms from all medical, social and scientific fronts urgently called out the need for everyone to take active measures to strengthen and protect their own health and that of their community. With social distancing and lockdowns, educating people about ways to take control of their health became a challenge.
Swami Mukundananda envisioned his organization taking the lead in this time of crisis. “We decided to do something that hasn’t been done before. By bringing this vast knowledge of yoga directly to people on a global scale and format, we are empowering people all over the world with critically needed tools to face life. People everywhere of all faiths and backgrounds are dealing with mounting stress and pressure. Yoga still provides the best means that helps us find unity in our diversity, resilience to overcome crisis, and create peace in an ever-turbulent world,” he explained.
Swami Mukundananda has continued to teach and lecture to thousands despite the lockdown via the internet. The message of yoga as a means of taking life back into their own hands has been embedded in all his speeches guiding and inspiring people to overcome the difficulties of the pandemic.
