International Day of Yoga Marked in Kalemegdan

International Day of Yoga, Kalemagdan (BETAPHOTO/MILAN OBRADOVIC)

Indian Ambassador to Serbia Sanjiv Kohli said on June 18 that "yoga is the golden key that unlocks the door to peace, tranquillity and joy," ahead of a group yoga class held in Kalemegdan to mark the Eighth International Day of Yoga.

"People say that the body lies in the past, that our thoughts are in the future, but that we are in the present only when we do yoga," Kohli said. He urged people to join yoga classes at 17 locations in 16 towns across Serbia and mark International Day of Yoga this year, adding that "we give strength to each other".

Kohli noted that yoga was an ancient Indian tradition that emerged 5000 years ago and described it as being very important for humanity's heart and soul and helping people find balance in their lives. He said that yoga belonged to everyone, not only people in India, as confirmed by the fact that the United Nations had adopted a resolution and officially endorsed yoga.

Events marking the International Day of Yoga in Serbia are expected to bring together more than 1,000 yoga lovers. This year, the embassy of India organized the event with support from different Serbian organizations engaged in teaching yoga. The program included Vidya yoga, the Mohanji Foundation and the ISHA Foundation.

The Embassy of India thanked the City of Belgrade and security agencies for their cooperation in organizing the event successfully. The event was also supported by Agrounija, Coca-Cola Hellenic, and Bechtel. Millions of yoga practitioners and yoga enthusiasts have been celebrating June 21 as the International Day of Yoga since 2015 after the United Nations adopted the resolution co-sponsored by 177 member states, including Serbia, in December 2014.