8TH INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY 2022- DURBAN AMPHITHEATRE
Sivananda World Peace Foundation celebrated the eighth International Yoga Day in Durban at the Durban Amphitheatre on the 19th of June 2022.
The Sivananda World Peace Foundation President, Prince Ishwar Ramlutchman Mabheka Zulu, said that the eighth International Yoga Day in Durban, KwaZulu -Natal, South Africa, was supported by His Worship the Mayor of the City of Ethekwini Municipality, Mr Thomas Mxolisi Kaunda, His Excellency Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Prime Minister to the Zulu nation, MEC For Treasury KwaZulu Natal Provincial Government MEC Nomusa Dube Ncube and the National Department of Health in the Republic of South Africa.Many yoga experts and the community at large came out in their numbers to support this year’s event.
Some 2200 participants attended this year’s event.As a build up to International Yoga Day, the foundation has gained momentum in promoting yoga in schools, mainly in the rural areas. Some 46 schools enjoyed the awareness campaign this year.
The foundation has partnered with the Nelson Mandela Capture site to promote yoga on a regular basis in Howick.The theme ‘Yoga for Humanity’ for 2022 will continue as we engage to sign partnerships with the Department of Education and Department of Health to propagate yoga in all corners of KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa at large. We thank all our partners and well wishers for their kind Support said Prince Ishwar Ramlutchman Mabheka Zulu.
Sivananda World Peace Foundation President, Prince Ishwar Ramlutchman Mabheka Zulu
His Excellency Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi said he was glad to have tried yoga, as it is important for people to understand that yoga is not only reserved for young, supple and athletic people. ‘The beauty of yoga is that it is accessible and beneficial to everyone, regardless of whether you practice it religiously every day, or whether you attend one session. ln just one session, you will feel your mind clearing, your burdens lifting and your body becoming more in tune with itself.
‘I hope that every person joining in today will experience this, for I know that once you have tasted the experience of becoming more centered, you will want to pursue yoga with a renewed passion.’ He said that Covid-19 has robbed people of the opportunity to practise yoga side by side.‘I want to encourage those who fell out of the habit of practising regular yoga, to fall back into it, because this is a time for healing both the physical and psychological wounds of Covid. Having said that, however, I must also point out that yoga became a lifeline for many people as well, during the past two years of lockdowns and restrictions throughout the world.
The practice of yoga, as I said, has a wonderfully calming effect on the body and the mind. Because it can be practiced anywhere, by anyone, many people discovered yoga for the first time because of Covid. ‘When gyms were closed, parks became spaces of communal exercise, and in public spaces throughout the world informal yoga classes blossonied. Now that the world is opening up again, opportunities for promoting yoga are again expanding. I must applaud Mr Ramlutchman for the remarkable endeavour he undertook.
PRINCE MANGOSUTHU BUTHELEZI
MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube thanked The Sivananda World Peace foundation for initiating International Yoga Day eight years ago.
‘Today we feel joy to be together promoting yoga for humanity. Emerging from the Covid-19 pandemic which threatened to annihilate life on earth, yoga is a practice that should be embraced by people. Because of its health benefits, yoga is not meant only for those among us who practice a certain religion.
It’s fulfilling and it keeps us content! ‘We acknowledge the work of the Sivananda World Peace Foundation in South Africa, mainly in the field of building schools, erecting monuments, building halls and creating oneness amongst the people of KwaZulu-Natal through social cohesion and promoting yoga in schools and in rural communities.
MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube
A land mark City on the edge of the edge of the Indian ocean rim, devastated by a tragic trilogy of the Covid-19 stay-at-home pandemic, politically-inspired July social unrest and looting spree and recent hell of floodwaters claiming over 400 lives and socio-economic woes running into billions of rands, will at last be at peace, spirituality, solace and succour when the UN-declared International Day of Yoga takes place on its golden-mile shoreline next weekend.
QUOTE: ‘‘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. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, Yoga can help us deal with climate change too.
’’Indian Prime Minister and leader of the BJP ruling party, Narendra Modi, addressing the United Nations General Council in New York on 11 December 2014 before the global peace-keeping forum declared 21 June as the International Day of Yoga.
DURBAN DATELINE: THE UNITED NATIONS’ Resolution 69/131 is bound to resonate across Durban and the rest of KZN and South Africa next Sunday–and worldwide and particularly across India on the shortest/longest day of the year marking the winter solstice on 21st June-the International Day of Yoga or Yoga Day.Yoga’s birth and roots is traced to the ancient land of India, a 5 000-year-old legend of the pantheon of one of the most religiously devout and disciplined people and its cultures of the world.Worldwide 200 million people practice yoga, with the USA tipping the scales with 20 million outside mainland India.
What is yoga all about?Experts, practitioners, tutors and enthusiasts agree and are in sync that yoga creates an almost perfect balance of discipline and harmony in our walks of life; and further renowned for its rare advantages to prevent diseases, help one to promote a healthy and holistic lifestyle and the proper management of many lifestyle–related disorders.
Yoga is hailed highly as a solid centuries-old physical, mental and spiritual practice dating back to pre-Vedic-Indian traditions, but yoga was said to have been most likely developed around the sixth and fifth centuries BC.Yoga gurus and teachers from India later exported yoga to the Western world in the aftermath of the successful campaigns of Swami Vivekananda as a foremost and iconic spiritual leader since the latter era of the 19th century and into the new millennium.Yoga, however, is a newcomer to South Africa.
Regardless of his brand of Hindu nationalism politics, Indian Prime Minister Narendra, who is the leader of the BJP, as a legacy will be credited for raising the global image and brand of yoga on the world stage.Cutting a religious-like figure, PM Modi addressed the UN address in 2014 and suggested 21st June as the date for the International Day of the Yoga–explaining that this unique winter solstice date of the year bears special significance in many parts of the world.
Following his stirring overview of yoga as a renewed, ancient life-enhancing skills and activity, India scored a coup when the UN General Assembly declared yoga as an auspicious day on 21 June annually, and celebrated in 2015 when India showcased yoga day with PM Modi leading the global promotion.Closer to home, Durban will be transformed into a heartbeat of the celebration of yoga when thousands of citizens gather to put their best foot and arms forward to give the mecca of cultural diversity, tourism and sports an edge as a cacophony of sound and cross-cultures.
• One of yoga’s chief ambassadors, Ishwar Ramlutchman Mabheka Zulu, representing the Sivananda World Peace and Community Foundation said: ‘’With this resolution for an lnternational Day of Yoga Day, more people have become aware of the tenets of yoga and will be encouraged to follow a yogic life style, a life that is healthy, humble and devout.Let this be a great opening for the world community to realise the worth of oneness and then, there is no feud, no disagreement and no disparity. Humankind of every creed and colour will live in oneness.
’’• There is a grassroots dimension to yoga. In the past two months, the local organising committee has been taking yoga to the classrooms and school sports field in KZN.
•‘’Scholars and students should taught yoga to encourage them to concentrate more on their studies and career futures and upward mobility in the workplace and community service. Teenagers and children are faced with enormous challenges and by bringing yoga to schools, communities will help improve the way learners study and we can produce excellent future leaders,’’ said Ramlutchman, also an executive vice-president of Gopio International, pointing out that the youth needed to seek peace within a ‘’chaotic world’’.
•Last Word: The education agencies have come to the party and the partnership was launched at the Nelson Mandela Capture site. • Footnote: Save the date: Sunday 19 June at the Durban Amphitheatre opposite the Elangeni Hotel, where up to 2 500 yoga enthusiast are expected to gather colourfully from 8am to midday – come rain or sunshine.
•MARLAN PADAYACHEE is a seasoned journalist and former mainstream political and diplomatic correspondent, serves on Gopio International’s media council, ambassador at City University of London, member of media-communications bodies, SAFREA, SANEF, IAJ, IFJ, heads MapMedia GreenGold Consulting (Pty) Limited, recipient of prestige international scholarship and fellowship, media awards; and works as a freelance journalist, photographer, wordsmith, publishing author, communications research specialist and media strategist; and continues to write columns, articles and opinion-editorial commentary for newspapers, magazines, TV and radio, online digital and social media platforms – without fear or favour nor prejudice ; and may be contacted via: marlan.padayachee@gmail.com/WhatsApp 076 038 4265