By Shmik Choudhuri
The world celebrated International Day of Yoga on June 21, 2017, and yoga was the buzzword everywhere. The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations celebrated the day at the United Nations on June 20 followed by a panel discussion on June 21.
On June 20, the Indian Mission organized a panel discussion at the United Nations involving religious, NGO and yoga organization representatives who presented various aspects and systems of yoga to the audience.
Institute of International Social Development, an international NGO in Special Consultative Status with ECOSOC of the United Nations, headquartered in India and having branches in Paris, Geneva and New York, presented the practice of Kriya Yoga as taught by Paramahansa Yogananda of ‘An Autobiography’ of a Yogi’ fame.
Kyle McDonald, who is a Kriyaban, and has been a devotee of Yogananda for over 20 years, made the presentation. She is part of the leadership team at the Ananda Meditation and Yoga Center in Rhode Island, where she leads Sunday worship service in addition to teaching yoga and meditation. Kyle also shares the teachings of Yogananda at The Open Center in New York City.
Shomik Chaudhuri, UN Representative of the Institute in New York spoke about the organization and its activities that relate to yoga and spirituality, and Sharon Hamilton-Getz, Additional UN Representative of the Institute spoke about spirituality and yoga. Other speakers included representatives from the Hindu Temple of North America, Science of Spirituality, Ananda Marga and World Yoga Community.
