Fitness and Wellness

Tomorrow International Yoga Day, celebrating the strength of women

On 21 June, the summer solstice, in Milan a meeting at the Arena Civica with thousands of participants, in Rome a gathering at the Terme di Caracalla

by A.Mac.

20 June 2024

3' min read

Key points

How did International Yoga Day come about?
In Milan big event at the Arena Civica
In Rome, meeting at the Baths of Caracalla

3' min read

For the tenth time, millions of people around the world will gather on 21 June, the summer solstice, to celebrate International Yoga Day, established by the United Nations in 2014. The theme chosen is 'Yoga for the Empowerment of Women'. The goal is to transform yoga into a widespread movement that emphasises women's well-being and promotes global health and peace.

"Women's empowerment aims to create a society in which all women can make their own choices and act with confidence. Through the regular practice of yoga, women can not only tone their bodies, but also cultivate a sense of mental resilience and determination, strengthening them at various stages of their lives,' reads the UN website. 'Yoga's focus on mindful breathing, meditation and gentle movement helps to calm the nervous system, lower stress hormone levels and promote a sense of inner peace. Regular practice promotes mental well-being and emotional resilience'.

How did the International Yoga Day come about?

At the UN headquarters in New York, a large public event is being organised by the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations in cooperation with the UN Secretariat.

International Yoga Day was established in 2014 by a resolution (69/131) proposed by India and endorsed by a record number of 175 Member States. The proposal was first put forward by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his opening address to the 69th session of the General Assembly, in which he said: 'Yoga is an invaluable gift of our ancient tradition. Yoga embodies the unity of mind and body, thought and action... a holistic approach [that] is invaluable to our health and well-being. Yoga is not just exercise; it is a way to discover a sense of unity with yourself, the world and nature'. In the following years, the premier was repeatedly criticised for using yoga to support his government's nationalistic policies, several international observers noted.

Milan's big event at the Arena Civica

In Milan, the event is organised as always by YogaFestival, with the patronage of the Municipality of Milan and the Italian Hinduist Union. This year, leading the practice for all, neophytes, practitioners and expert yogis, will be Sara Bigatti of La Scimmia Yoga (named after her Community), one of the most popular yoga teachers on the socil. Accompanying her will be Nicola Artico, musician, composer, painter and writer who has been studying mantras and kirtans of Indian tradition for years, together with Silvia Chitrini Papadia, music therapist.

Sara Bigatti's lesson will be preceded by a practice of "Yoga without barriers" - led by former Paralympic athlete and now teacher and writer Patrizia Saccà - part of a project of the Italian Hinduist Union aimed at people with physical difficulties, and followed by a "loosening up" practice led by Claudia Casanova. Two practices that will have the task of "warming up" the public, who already from 4.30 p.m. will be able to enter and take their seats on the lawn (event from 6 to 9.30 p.m., registration is free and compulsory).

'Yoga, infinite harmony' is the leitmotif of this Milan edition: 'What we would like to remember, also with the theme chosen this year, is that Yoga is a powerful tool for finding harmony and inner peace,' comments Giulia Borioli, president of YogaFestival, 'and we are deeply convinced that when one feels inwardly pacified, one lives peacefully and harmoniously as a consequence. In this moment of great bewilderment and violence on so many fronts, as a Cultural Association we feel the need to contribute with our means to spreading more and more the true and profound meaning of yoga, which is against all forms of violence and which, if understood and lived with awareness, guides us towards a state not only of well-being but of peaceful and profound happiness, which disincentivises all forms of aggression'.

In Rome, an appointment at the Baths of Caracalla

The Yogis4Nature Association, in collaboration with Mosaco - Centro Studi del Movimento and Lighthouse Yoga Community, and with the patronage of the Department of Major Events, Sport, Tourism and Fashion of the Municipality of Rome, is organising a free event at the Nando Martellini Stadium at the Terme di Caracalla. It will start at 4.30 p.m., with Shiatsu sessions, then an upcycling workshop for children and adults and a yoga session from 8.30 to 8.30 p.m. The Unione Induisti Italiani is also organising a series of events in Rome and various Italian cities.

Alessia MaccaferriCaposervizio Nòva 24 - Il Sole 24 Ore
Luogo: Milano
Lingue parlate: italiano, inglese
Argomenti: innovazione sociale, impact investing, filantropia, fundraising, smart cities, turismo digitale, musei digitali, tracciabilità 4.0, smart port
Premi: Premio Sodalitas (2008), premio Natale Ucsi (2006), European Science Writer Award (2010)
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