We appreciate and respect that the 7th International Day of Yoga falls on the same date as National Indigenous Peoples Day.
Today is a day to celebrate, recognize and express gratitude to the heritage and contributions of the Indigenous people and keeping their heritage alive.
We, the Chopra Addiction and Wellness Center, want to dedicate the Yoga Day to unity and healing.
The event will take place at O’Siyam Pavilion, Junction Park, from 5 pm to 6:30 pm.
To meet Covid-19 protocols, only 50 people will be able to take part and they must be spaced two meters.
Specifically, we dedicate this year’s event to the 215 First Nations children discovered buried in unmarked graves on the site of the Kamloops Indian Residential School, built on the traditional territories of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation.
We remember those who suffered and continue to suffer with the residential schools experience.
On December 11 in 2014, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 21st as the International Day of Yoga. The declaration came after the call for the adoption of June 21st as International Day of Yoga by Hon’ble Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi during his address to UN General Assembly on September 27, 2014.
His words are worth repeating here: “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. Yoga is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with ourselves, the world and the nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help us to deal with climate change.”
Since inception, Chopra Addiction and Wellness has been hosting the Yoga Day event in Squamish.
Last year, due to Covid-19 restrictions, we held a virtual Zoom event.
This year as the restrictions are lifted, we are excited and look forward to the event. We want to provide a space for healing, harmony, and building community.
Councillor Deanna Lewis and Indigenous Healer Lydia Williams from Squamish Nations will join in the traditional opening ceremonies with yoga and meditation from the Chopra Addiction and Wellness Center.
Nirmala Raniga is Founder and DirectorChopra Addiction and Wellness Center, Squamish.
