New York City saw a special celebration of wellness and unity as yoga mats were rolled out at the iconic One World Trade Center. The special session, which took place at the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, marked the start of the 75-day countdown to the 11th International Day of Yoga, which will be celebrated around the world on June 21.
The activity was sponsored by the Consulate General of India in New York , which has been working actively to propagate yoga as a method to promote health and harmony. The morning session was held on the 102nd floor of the One World Observatory, where participants were treated to stunning panoramic views of Manhattan and New Jersey. Less-than-ideal weather on the rainy Monday did not dampen the spirits of the participants, who persevered to take part in an hour-long yoga and meditation session.
Binaya Pradhan , India's Consul General in New York, spoke to the attendees about the importance of the event before the International Day of Yoga. He noted that yoga is a culture bridge and the way forward in bringing good health and a mindful state for this era.
The yoga session was led by Ruchika Lal, a popular instructor at the Art of Living Foundation. The event witnessed the attendance of Deputy Consul General of India in New York, Vishal Harsh , members of the Indian diaspora, students, yoga enthusiasts, and practitioners from various backgrounds.
We are beginning this countdown with a spiritual yoga session at the One World Trade Center—the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and a beacon of hope and resilience," the Consulate General posted on X. The post also detailed the session as an empowering way to start the day with positivity and peace. It included aspects of meditation, breathing, Yogasanas, and self-awareness practices, emphasizing yoga's holistic advantages.
Before conducting the participants through the session, Ruchika Lal recognized the painful history surrounding the One World Trade Center, referring to the 9/11 attacks. However, she clarified that yoga is all about bringing people together, minds, and energies. "That we are all coming here together in peace is quite incredible," she mentioned.
Looking at the importance of the location, Lal also stated that having a yoga session at a spot with such a dark history was symbolic on a deep level. "A location that has seen one of the most horrific acts of terrorism now unites people through yoga. That's nothing short of amazing," she said. Lal also described the session as "amazing," saying that doing yoga "from the top of the world" was the ideal means to start counting down towards International Yoga Day .
As the world gets ready to celebrate International Yoga Day, there are several events planned throughout the United States. These events will be hosted at locations like Times Square, the United Nations headquarters, and other prestigious landmarks, culminating in a grand affair on June 21.
The International Day of Yoga was originally suggested by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly in 2014. Ever since, the day has been observed worldwide every year, with millions taking part in yoga classes to ensure physical, mental, and spiritual wellness. In 2023, Modi himself participated in a historic yoga session on the UN headquarters' North Lawn, further boosting the international acknowledgment of this age-old practice.
With yoga now a major component of the worldwide wellness community, such occasions as the gathering at One World Trade Center confirm its power of unity. Through stretching and meditating high up in the New York City skyline, the gathering not only epitomized staying power but also demonstrated that yoga is a source of peace and contemplation in this chaotic world.
As the International Day of Yoga approaches, the movement will only pick up speed, encouraging more and more people to take up yoga as a way of attaining equilibrium, wellness, and harmony in life.
The activity was sponsored by the Consulate General of India in New York , which has been working actively to propagate yoga as a method to promote health and harmony. The morning session was held on the 102nd floor of the One World Observatory, where participants were treated to stunning panoramic views of Manhattan and New Jersey. Less-than-ideal weather on the rainy Monday did not dampen the spirits of the participants, who persevered to take part in an hour-long yoga and meditation session.
Binaya Pradhan , India's Consul General in New York, spoke to the attendees about the importance of the event before the International Day of Yoga. He noted that yoga is a culture bridge and the way forward in bringing good health and a mindful state for this era.
The yoga session was led by Ruchika Lal, a popular instructor at the Art of Living Foundation. The event witnessed the attendance of Deputy Consul General of India in New York, Vishal Harsh , members of the Indian diaspora, students, yoga enthusiasts, and practitioners from various backgrounds.
We are beginning this countdown with a spiritual yoga session at the One World Trade Center—the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and a beacon of hope and resilience," the Consulate General posted on X. The post also detailed the session as an empowering way to start the day with positivity and peace. It included aspects of meditation, breathing, Yogasanas, and self-awareness practices, emphasizing yoga's holistic advantages.
Before conducting the participants through the session, Ruchika Lal recognized the painful history surrounding the One World Trade Center, referring to the 9/11 attacks. However, she clarified that yoga is all about bringing people together, minds, and energies. "That we are all coming here together in peace is quite incredible," she mentioned.
Looking at the importance of the location, Lal also stated that having a yoga session at a spot with such a dark history was symbolic on a deep level. "A location that has seen one of the most horrific acts of terrorism now unites people through yoga. That's nothing short of amazing," she said. Lal also described the session as "amazing," saying that doing yoga "from the top of the world" was the ideal means to start counting down towards International Yoga Day .
🧘♀️75 Days to #InternationalDayofYoga 2025!
— India in New York (@IndiainNewYork) April 7, 2025
CG @binaysrikant76 kickstarted the countdown with a soulful Yoga session on the 102nd Floor of @OneWTC — the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and a symbol of resilience and hope.
Led by Ms. @ruchikalal1, @ArtofLiving the… pic.twitter.com/6iqtI3oQe9
As the world gets ready to celebrate International Yoga Day, there are several events planned throughout the United States. These events will be hosted at locations like Times Square, the United Nations headquarters, and other prestigious landmarks, culminating in a grand affair on June 21.
The International Day of Yoga was originally suggested by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly in 2014. Ever since, the day has been observed worldwide every year, with millions taking part in yoga classes to ensure physical, mental, and spiritual wellness. In 2023, Modi himself participated in a historic yoga session on the UN headquarters' North Lawn, further boosting the international acknowledgment of this age-old practice.
With yoga now a major component of the worldwide wellness community, such occasions as the gathering at One World Trade Center confirm its power of unity. Through stretching and meditating high up in the New York City skyline, the gathering not only epitomized staying power but also demonstrated that yoga is a source of peace and contemplation in this chaotic world.
As the International Day of Yoga approaches, the movement will only pick up speed, encouraging more and more people to take up yoga as a way of attaining equilibrium, wellness, and harmony in life.
You may also like
Behind Trump's tariff shock: Who is Stephen Miran
Man booked in Kerala for pronouncing triple talaq over phone
Electronic permits register 20 pc growth at record 124.5 million in March
Over 110 arrested in Murshidabad in violence over Waqf Act, raids on in other districts: WB Police
OpenAI: CEO Sam Altman's big statement, now ChatGPT will remember your 'horoscope'..
