World strikes pose for Yoga Day

Enthusiasts perform go through their poses in the shadow of the India Gate on International Yoga Day in New Delhi, on Thursday. Saumya Khandelwal / Reuters 

Downward-facing dogs, cobras and warriors sprouted all over world on Thursday, including high in the Himalayas, up in the air and under the sea, for International Yoga Day.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose proposal for the global event won United Nations approval in 2014, led the way, performing his asanas with over 50,000 others in the northern city of Dehradun.

People gathered at a sprawling forest research institute - snakes and monkeys were removed in advance - before dawn for the communal session involving the prime minister, a reporter at the scene said.

"The way to lead a calm, creative& content life is Yoga. It can show the way in defeating tensions and mindless anxiety," Modi said on Twitter.

"Instead of dividing, Yoga unites. Instead of further animosity, Yoga assimilates. Instead of increasing suffering, Yoga heals."

Other gatherings took place in the capital New Delhi with 10,000 enthusiasts registered. Several hundred braved unhealthy pollution levels and hot and humid weather to lay out their mats in the Lodi Gardens park.

At least 5,000 events big and small took place across India, but the largest was expected to be in Mysore in the south with more than 60,000 taking part, according to organizers.

Yoga was also performed on board the Japanese naval ship JS Ise and on the Indian Navy's INS Sahyadri taking part in military exercises in the western Pacific, the Indian Navy said.

Submarine staff from India's Eastern Naval Command were pictured doing yoga poses, as were soldiers in Secunderabad.

In China, the celebrations were the second largest after India, according to Mohan Singh Bhandari, who founded the Yogi Yoga institution in China.
In Beijing, hundreds gathered at the India embassy at 8 am to practice the Sun Salutation to mark the day.

In a video message sent to Chinese yoga lovers, Modi said: "Yoga gives peace of mind. Those who are at peace with themselves are at peace with others. Such people build harmonious nations, such nations build a harmonious world."

Yoga has benefited millions of people across the globe in ensuring that they stay physically and mentally fit, which in turn helps in leading a fulfilling life, said Gautam Bambawale, the Indian ambassador to China.

He said the benefits are becoming apparent to people in every corner of the world, including in China, which even has a yoga school in the Southeast province of Yunnan.

In Tokyo, around 80 people - mainly in their 60s and 70s - took part in a special yoga session organized through the Indian Embassy in the Zojoji Temple, the two-story red shrine in the shadow of Tokyo Tower.

Among those being put through their paces by the guru was a Japanese MP, a member of the yoga group in the Japanese parliament.

Other events were scheduled around the world, including in Kilkenny in Ireland, Bahrain, Brisbane in Australia and in Milan.

Editor: John Li