Building on the momentum generated by the past three editions of the Yoga day celebration, the International Day of Yoga organizing committee of the greater Boston area conducted the 4th annual celebrations on June 17th, 2018 at the Radisson Hotel in Chelmsford, MA.  Inspired by the United Nations 2018 Yoga Day theme 'Yoga for Peace', 125 enthusiastic Yoga practitioners from various parts of New England area participated in this event. The purpose of the event was to create a broad-based awareness about the benefits of yoga and to introduce the ancient mind-body practice to all sections of society, irrespective of their age.

The event started at 9 am with the chanting of the AUM mantra by the emcee Neha Rathi and recitation of the Yoga shloka by Taejasvi Narayan, volunteers of Sewa International. Shri Raju Datla, Sewa's Boston chapter coordinator extended a warm welcome to all the attendees and recognized all the organizations who are part of the organizing committee. In his remarks he said, Yoga is a spiritual discipline based on an extremely subtle science that focuses on bringing harmony between mind and body.  He also said the aim of Yoga practice is to overcome all kinds of sufferings and lead to a sense of freedom in every walk of life.  Shri Sudhir Parikh and Shri Harshal Morparia of Nataraja Yoga Center kicked off the Yoga sessions by guiding the participants through light warm-up exercises, Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) and Pranayama (breathing techniques). After a short break, Sunetra Banerjee of Prachya Yoga conducted a 30-minute session on sitting and standing asanas. Breakout sessions on Sit for Meditation by Sanjyot Lupa of Om Studio Central, Whole Health with Ayurveda by Dr. Prathiba Shah of Well Life Medical and Yoga Therapy by Jenny Smyth of Jenny Smyth Yoga were informative and were well received by the attendees. The final Yoga session on Yoga Nidra, a relaxation technique for the participants was conducted by Sheena Patel founder of Savsani, a Wellness company.

Speaking on this occasion attendee Dorothy Grant an arthritis sufferer and her friend Daphna said "We loved the diversification, how you offered the different Yoga sessions on Asanas, Yoga Nidra and parallel sessions on Ayurveda and Therapeutic Yoga. We also love the outreach and humanitarian work Sewa is doing around the world".

In her closing remarks Sheena Patel encouraged all the attendees to incorporate Yoga into their daily routine and provide feedback to the event organizers. Shri Raju Datla thanked the Radisson Hotel for the wonderful facility, Rhode Island based CVS Caremark for sponsoring the event and Stop and Shop for providing water bottles and breakfast bars to all the participants. The event ended with the recitation of the Shanti Mantra by all the attendees.

International Day of Yoga Organizing Committee:

Sewa International
Hindu SwayamSevak Sangh
Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America
Samskritha Bharati USA
Ekal Vidyalaya
Savsani
Art of Living
Nataraja Yoga Center
YogaCaps
Indian Circle for Caring
Lokvani
TheFoundationsTV

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