Jordan’s yoga enthusiasts to mark int’l day with remote activities

AMMAN — In line with health precautions imposed by the COVID-19 crisis, this year’s Yoga Day theme will be “Yoga at Home, Yoga with Family,” encouraging the celebration of the occasion from home.

The International Day of Yoga, which falls on June 21, was officially declared in December of 2014 at the UN General Assembly with the co-sponsoring of 177 countries, including Jordan.

Ambassador of India to Jordan Anwar Haleem said that, amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this year the government of India and its extending embassies in over 100 countries found it best to “observe the day in the privacy and safety of home”.

“The International Day of Yoga is being celebrated the world over with the same fervour, minus the gatherings this year,” he told The Jordan Times over the phone on Saturday.

This year, the Indian embassy in Amman is conducting a special yoga session live with the help of technology and “with the support of our ever-supportive yoga community in Jordan”.

The “My Life – My Yoga” video blogging competition was also launched by Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi for any participant worldwide to upload their yoga videos in two contests: A video blogging contest within each country and another international contest in which a global prize winner will be selected from among the winners of different countries. 

“I encourage everyone, especially the yoga lovers here in Jordan, to participate in the contest,” said Haleem.

According to statements from the embassy, the Government of India is encouraging the use of Common Yoga Protocol, a booklet of basic yoga asanas (body postures) that people can learn and practise regardless of their expertise level. 

Yoga can help in countering the physical and mental health implications of the viral spread of the pandemic and in giving people a healthy body and peace of mind, the ambassador said, adding that the virus has brought out “a new face of yoga”.

“Due to the coronavirus, we found ourselves in a time of uncertainty, while often feeling out of control. Yoga is one stress management tool that we can do from our homes and unlike some activities, you can practise yoga in a small space with little to no equipment,” he added.

The ambassador also extended his gratitude to yoga practitioners, learners, teachers and experts who “have helped spread the culture and practice of Yoga in Jordan”.