[gallery td_select_gallery_slide="slide" size="medium" td_gallery_title_input="International Day of Yoga" ids="64095,64094,64093"]RIYADH — The 2nd International Day of Yoga was celebrated with great enthusiasm here with Indian Ambassador Ahmad Javed highlighting the benefits of practicing this discipline. The Embassy of India, Riyadh organized two Yoga events at the International Indian School, Riyadh separately in the Boys and Girls Sections. Over 500 students of different age groups participated in the celebration of Yoga Day by performing various Yoga Asanas as per the Common Yoga Protocol. The mission, this time, utilized the services of a Saudi Yoga instructor who demonstrated several Yoga Asanas. Ambassador Ahmed Javed too participated in the performing of the various poses and postures, and was given a thunderous round of applause when he performed the sirsasan (head stand posture) and relayed its benefits. He cited his own example when he said to stay fit you need discipline and yoga can help burnish it, adding, "It is all a matter of our mind." It is very important that yoga is brought as a proper science, and practiced at our own pace to derive the maximum benefits," he said, adding, yoga provides mental and physical strength to people. "It will enable them to live a healthy life. It will create overall harmony between body and mind. It will enhance mental and physical well-being, and we should make it an integral part of life as it promotes better health and brings harmony," Javed said. At the start, while emphasizing on the utility and benefits of yoga, he said, "The discipline is an invaluable gift of India's tradition, as yoga aims to transform both body and mind. " He read out Prime Minister Narendra Modi's message on the International Day of Yoga and also briefed the function on how the international day came into being. "The declaration June 21 being the International Day of Yoga came after the call for the adoption by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address to UN General Assembly on Sept. 27, 2014." The prime minister stated: "Yoga is an invaluable gift of India's ancient tradition . It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature."
