Adelaide celebrates International Yoga Day

Adelaide’s yogis bend and stretch, inhale and exhale, as the world takes up India’s call for yoga

On the first International Yoga Day held recently, Adelaide joined the rest of the country in celebrating yoga, one of the great philosophies that India has given to the world.
A wonderful sunny morning on 21 June, there was peace in the air at Black Diamond Square in Port Adelaide. A diverse group of more than 100 people on mat, and 20 plus volunteers off mat, got a first-hand introduction of the discipline that helps master the body as well as mind.

This was inclusive of people of all ages, from kids to elders, beginners to advanced yoga practitioners, individual yoga teachers to yoga schools and organizations. Some of the local residents, enjoying their Sunday morning walking their dogs or simply enjoying the sun at the beach, were amazed by the discipline, postures and vibes created by the yogis gathered.
Invoking the blessings of the Divine, the event started with chorus chanting of Gayatri Mantra. Lord Mayor, Port Adelaide Enfield Council presided the event with his short speech highlighting the health benefits of yoga practice.

The event was a great showcase for all beginners and advanced yoga practitioners, yoga lovers, yoga teachers and yoga schools to meet each other and celebrate the cause of yoga.
Yogacharini Komal, a yoga practitioner and PhD scholar touched a chord when she described the philosophy as a practice for health, harmony and peace for the local community. She spoke about the various dimensions of yoga throughout the session.

The organisers Hindu Council of Australia (HCA), Hindu Swayamsewak Sangh (HSS) and Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP), with some of the local yoga schools and spiritual organisations and community members came together to jointly celebrate International Yoga Day.
The event partners and supporters on board included Vivek Kulkarni from Art of Living; Kelly Mittal from Indu Yoga Sanctuary; Rupal Shah, Vani Shukla, Raj Pandey from Traditional Kriya Yoga; Karen Nichole from Community and Yoga; Noeline Overall from Pure Unity Yoga; Sahaja Yoga; Know Thyself, and Indian Association of Indian Australian Association of South Australia IAASA.

Chirag Trivedi of OFBJP told Indian Link, “Each one did their best in giving a teaser of their style in 10 to 20 minute segments.”
Master of ceremonies Wilber Glenn Colaco, an engineer by profession and an international speaker for Rudraksha and Vedik Science by Aspiration said later, “It felt as if it was a merging fountain from different sources just like the seven Saptrishis (Priestly Scholars), coming together once again to share their knowledge.”