The All Party Parliamentary Group on Indian Traditional Sciences and Secretariat Amarjeet Singh Bhamra celebrated International Yoga Day at the House of Commons recently. Several key dignitaries have spoken at the event, both in person and virtually. Virendra Sharma MP rendered opening words and stressed the importance of Yoga as a continuous activity. Lord Ranger highlighted how Yoga transcends politics and religion and is a tool to control the body and mind.
Ms. Ovessa Iqbal, First Secretary- Political representing the High Commission of India reiterated Yoga as a mental, physical & spiritual practice, and highlighted the initiatives surrounding Yoga. Neuroscientist and leader of the Transcendental Meditation movement Dr. Tony Nader joined via video and shared his thoughts on the aspects of Yoga for happiness, prosperity & wellness, and bringing nourishment to life. He further elucidated the stress indicators for which Yoga is a solution.
Humanitarian Guru Mata Amritanandamayi Devi’s video message was played which highlighted how Yoga was a priceless boon given by sages of India to the world, which channels praana shakti in the right direction and increases mental strength & focus. Baroness Verma, one of the founding members of APPG Indian Traditional Sciences underscored how it took one effective leadership to bring centuries-old Yoga to come to the fore, and added that instead of depending on a small group of people to deliver massive projects, each must try and make all 365 days the Yoga days.
A beautiful classical dance presentation by Ragasudha Vinjamuri covered the yogic aspects of Lord Shiva on a research composition from the time of the Tanjavur Maratha Kingdom.
Nitya Jagannadhan joined from India, and spoke on Yoga-based interventions, holistic context in healing and its strength of integrated approach with other systems such as Ayurveda. Dr. Sanjay Jadhav from Dubai related Yoga as expansion of one’s own consciousness, and reiterated that Yoga is not working out, but is working in. Kamu Palan demonstrated important mudras that would help in Blood Pressure control, hearing, memory and cell rejuvenation. Ayurveda Ratan Dr Polishetty Ravi shared some key inputs and emphasised on generating data for further scientific research.
The event concluded with Swami Anubhavananda’s message, who through his hilarious anecdotes explained how Yoga is happiness and how people should learn from every experience in life. On the occasion, some of the Ayurvedic practitioners were conferred recognition for their fervent services to the field.