Off the wire
• Roundup: Anti-austerity protesters return to streets as Greek PM flies to Brussels  • 1st LD: About 40 people being treated after "chemical leak" in east England  • About 40 people treated after chemical leak in east England  • Iran lawmakers urges Rouhani to secure key "rights" in nuclear deal  • 2nd LD Writethru-Xinhua Insight: China busts group staging paid protests  • Roger Federer beats Andreas Seppi in Halle Open final  • UN chief asks Senegalese diplomat to mediate talks in Burundi  • France in bid to push for resumption of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks  • Xinhua world news summary at 1530 GMT, June 21  • Chinese film big winner at Shanghai festival  
You are here: 　 Home

UN celebrates first Int'l Day of Yoga

Xinhua, June 22, 2015 Adjust font size:

More than one hundred people, including diplomats and UN staff, performed Yoga at UN headquarters on Sunday to celebrate the first ever International Day of Yoga.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and his wife Yoo (Ban) Soon- taek joined the crowd, which was guided by Yoga guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar from India, to practice yoga stretches, breathing and meditation.

Addressing the event, Ban said "I am hoping that if yoga promotes physical dexterity, it can also promote diplomatic dexterity."

"My hope is that yoga will give people everywhere the sense and the oneness we need to work together to live in harmony and usher in a life of dignity for all," he added.

Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. The word "yoga" derives from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness.

The mind-body practice continues to grow in popularity worldwide. On Dec. 11, 2014, the UN General Assembly proclaimed in its resolution June 21 as International Yoga Day. Enditem