Renowned humanitarian and founder of The Art of Living highlights universality and individual wellness benefits of Yoga as he inaugurates the 2nd world yoga day and leads MEPs through a meditation
Brussels, 21 June 2016 – It was a fully packed Yehudi Menuhin Hall when members from all political parties joined-in and welcomed the finest exponent of Yoga from India, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, to an extraordinary Yoga session. The event was held on 21 June from 12:15 – 13:30 hrs on the occasion of the UN World Yoga Day and saw participation of several Members and officials of the European Parliament, officials of the European Council and Commission and media personnel.
Speaking at the event, The Art of Living founder said “I am glad that today here in the European Parliament, the heart of Europe, where 28 countries sit and do their deliberations and lead their countries, they are taking up this beautiful mission of wellness and bringing happiness to people.”
Reminding that Yoga is not just an exercise but a way to happiness, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar further added “Though Yoga was born in the Indian subcontinent, it is universal, it belongs to the world. Yoga is aspiring for the highest goal of the world as one family. It brings harmony in one’s environment, a disease free body. It establishes a quiver-free breath, which is a sign of strength. It gives a confusion-free mind, inhibition-free intellect, a trauma-free memory and a sorrow-free soul. So basically all that one aspires in life - to be happy, the way is Yoga.”
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar also led the participants through a relaxing meditation.
The Art of Living founder was received in the European Parliament by the Ambassador of India to the EU, H.E. Manjeev Singh Puri, MEPs Geoffrey Van Orden, Nirj Deva, Neena Gill, Jo Leinen, Cora van Nieuwenhuizen and Charles Tannock.
“I have known Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar for a number of years, and addressed a rally at the World Culture Festival attended by people from all over the world” shares MEP van Orden in his welcome address. “His foundation has helped combat depression and violence. His organization engages in disaster relief, through his courses from the Art of Living, and through his missions of peace to Pakistan, Iran, and to Iraq and other places. Then 2011, I understood the extent of his reach, and the power of his message when I attended the ' World Culture Festival' in Berlin.”
Since 1981, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has played a big role in sensitizing the world about the essence of yoga and engaged in promoting good health and has taken the ancient knowledge of yoga across the globe. From the UNESCO headquarters in Paris to Capitol Hill and the Unites Nations in the US, the according to Forbes 5th most important Indian has been travelling around the globe to demystify yoga and make it more acceptable and appealing. His pragmatic approach of presenting yoga away from dogmatic beliefs has helped in taking yoga to people of all class, creeds, and religions.
Background
The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, during his address at the United Nations General Assembly on September 27, 2014 had defined Yoga as "India's invaluable contribution to the world" and had urged global leaders to observe an International Day of Yoga at the United Nations. In a positive response, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a Resolution in December 2014 designating 21 June, coinciding with the summer solstice, as the International Day of Yoga. The Resolution was piloted by India and co-sponsored by 177 member countries of the United Nations, including most of the member states of the European Union. The first International Yoga Day was observed in 2015. The European Parliament on this occasion had organized the curtain raiser on April 21, 2015 when Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar had spoken on Yoga and led a Yoga cum meditation session at the Parliament premises in Brussels.
About Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Born in India in 1956, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a revered global humanitarian and an ambassador of peace. His mission of uniting the world into a violence-free global family has inspired millions of people worldwide to work towards sustainable peace. Gurudev is the recipient of numerous awards, including honorary doctorates and state honors.
He is the founder of the Art of Living Foundation (1981) and the International Association for Human Values (1997), both UN accredited NGOs active in 155 countries. He is also the founder of the World Forum for Ethics in Business, which regularly convenes in conferences at the European Parliament and around the world.
Press contact: abc@artofliving.eu