New York: From the serene greens of Westchester to the bustling crossroads of Times Square and the historic steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, International Day of Yoga 2025 was celebrated across the United States with vibrant participation and a unifying spirit.
The Consulate General of India (CGI) in New York, in association with the Town of Greenburgh and the Indian Cultural Association of North America (ICANA), kicked off the celebrations with a large-scale event in Westchester. The CGI noted on X (formerly Twitter) that the event “showcased yoga’s universal appeal and its message of harmony and well-being,” thanking local partners for their collaboration in marking the global occasion.
Building on that momentum, the Consulate hosted a high-energy yoga session at Times Square, in partnership with @TimesSquareNYC, turning one of the world’s most iconic locations into a vibrant arena of mindfulness and movement.
“CGI New York, in collaboration with @TimesSquareNYC, hosted a vibrant Yoga Session at the iconic Crossroads of the World – Times Square! Here are a few more glimpses from this energizing celebration of wellness and unity. #YogaforOneEarthOneHealth,” the Consulate posted, sharing visuals from the event.
Meanwhile, in the nation’s capital, the Embassy of India in Washington, DC, organized a mass yoga session at the Lincoln Memorial on Thursday morning (local time), ahead of International Day of Yoga on June 21. The gathering drew enthusiastic participation from the Indian diaspora and local residents alike.
India’s Ambassador to the U.S., Vinay Mohan Kwatra, lauded the occasion as a celebration of India’s civilizational heritage.
“We are all here to celebrate the 11th International Day of Yoga—an enormous, great, fun-filled celebration of India’s ancient civilisation heritage,” he said. “A large number of extended Indian families and the Indian diaspora are present with us here, along with other citizens of the US. It’s a wonderful day, a wonderful experience… I want to thank everybody for being here with us this morning.”
The yoga session at the Lincoln Memorial was led by Acharya Govind Brahmachari, who emphasised yoga’s deeper spiritual and emotional significance.
“Yoga is widely popular already, but we want to bring yoga to every household worldwide,” he said. “Beyond physical fitness, yoga is about attaining a sense of freedom or oneness with the universe. The yoga postures—yoga asanas—are part of a holistic system that supports the mind and helps attain freedom from unpleasant emotions and thoughts.”
Participants at the session echoed the sentiment. Dr. Smita Patel, a practicing physician, praised the initiative and acknowledged Prime Minister Narendra Modi for launching International Yoga Day in 2015.
“I liked today’s theme ‘One Earth, One Health’. As a physician, I believe yoga is as essential as breathing and medication. Yoga helps reduce anxiety, improve depression, and in children, enhances attention span and focus,” she said.
Acharya Madhuvartanand Avdhut of the Ananda Marga Yoga and Meditation Centre added a philosophical note to the day’s message.
“The first yogi was Lord Shiva, who came to this earth 7,000 years ago. Yoga has three different parts—Yog Asana, Yog Darshan, and Yog Sadhana. Yoga is a multi-faceted approach to healthy living and can unite human society and bring world peace.”
With celebrations spreading awareness from coast to coast, International Day of Yoga 2025 in the U.S. once again affirmed yoga’s growing global embrace and enduring power to promote unity, health, and peace.
