Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA, Inc. (HSS) concluded its Sixth Annual Health for Humanity Yogathon on January 29, 2012. During the two-week Yogathon, over 13,000  participants from 209 cities completed over 1 million repetitions of the yoga routine known as the Sun Salutation, or Surya Namaskara.

HSS launched the Health for Humanity Yogathon as an annual event in 2007 to create awareness about yoga and its advantages in achieving a healthy body, mind, and spirit. The Surya Namaskar yoga routine integrates simple postures of well-balanced movements in ten steps with an easy breathing technique to provide immense health benefits for everyone, from beginners to yoga enthusiasts. [HSS conducts the Yogathon, or Surya Namaskara Yajna, at this time of year to coincide with the traditional Makar Sankranti festival, which falls on January 14.]

The nationwide Yogathon included participants from 39 states and all walks of life, from middle and high schools to yoga studios. Participants from all walks of life regardless of race, faith, national origin, gender, and age enthusiastically participated in this health awareness project.

This year’s Yogathon inspired new and creative ways of performing the Sun Salutation. Two hour Yogathons were done at many places including, Billerica Public library, Satsang Center (Woburn), Boston University (Boston) and Shrewsbury, MA. Families in New England, Maine, New Hampshire, and Connecticut performed more than 36,000 Sun Salutations during the Yogathon. Several other public events took place nationwide involving universities, businesses, yoga studios, temples, and cultural and community organizations.
 
HSS also reached out to several schools to bring the health and wellness less of the Yogathon to physical education classes. Olga Aquilina, a high school physical education teacher in San Jose, California, remarked that the Yogathon “created a positive and enjoyable environment” for students.

Several public and elected officials offered their support to the Yogathon. Members of Congress Rodney Frelinghuysen of New Jersey and Frank Wolf of Virginia noted their appreciation for the Yogathon and its promotion of health and wellness. State and local government officials also offered their support, including Governor John Hickenlooper of Colorado and Mayors Michael Bloomberg of New York City, Julián Castro of San Antonio, Lee Leffingwell of Austin, and Bob Buckhorn of Tampa.

The Yogathon also partnered with “Let’s Move!” a comprehensive initiative, launched by First Lady Michelle Obama, dedicated to solving the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation.

HSS conducts a structured values education program through its 150 chapters nationwide to develop strong character and leadership skills and to organize a dynamic and flourishing Hindu-American community. For more information, please visit www.hssus.org or contact Yogesh Rathi (404 975 4943).

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