The world’s most renowned ambassador of yoga and founder of The Art of Living will be the Chief Guest and lead MEPs and staff through a guided meditation when for the first time the Parliament’s Yehudi Menuhin Hall will turn into a big yoga space
Brussels, 16 June 2016 – On the occasion of the 2nd International Day of Yoga, the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with India supported by members from all the political groups, the Prevention and Well-being at Work Unit, DG Personnel as well as the Embassy of India to the EU are inviting all Parliament members and employees to join in an extraordinary Yoga session.
Highlighting the benefits and universality of Yoga, the session will take place from 12.15 – 13.30 pm and is expected to see participation of several Members and officials of the European Parliament, officials of the European Council and Commission and media personnel.
‘Yoga has today become synonymous with relaxation, wellbeing, or a creative mind. It is more than just an exercise. The world is embracing it as a skill to enhance the quality of life. We want to showcase this on the International Day of Yoga celebrations at the European Parliament’, says MEP Geoffrey van Orden.
The celebrations will be inaugurated by global humanitarian and Art of Living founder Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar who will also lead participants through a guided meditation.
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar embodies like no other the millennia-old philosophy of yoga and spirituality and serves as a role model for millions of people across the world. For more than three decades, his vision of a violence and stress free society through the awakening of human values such as compassion, service and non-violence has inspired millions of people to broaden their spheres of responsibility and work towards the betterment of the world. Driven by the understanding that peace begins with oneself, Gurudev addresses the much-debated topic of attaining inner contentment and happiness through yoga and meditation.
Since 1981, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has played a big role in sensitizing the world about the essence of yoga. 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.
‘India and the European Union, being the two largest democracies and therefore natural partners and the European Parliament being the largest global trans-national democratic electorate, it is but appropriate that a Yoga related event at the European Parliament is being undertaken by one of the most popular and internationally acclaimed Yoga exponent from India - Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’, says the Ambassador of India to the EU His Excellency Mr. Manjeev Singh Puri.
The session would be followed by Yoga “Asanas” under the guidance of Yoga expert Mr. Samir Khan from the European Yoga Institute of Brussels.
The EU's 500-member yoga club has sounded its members to actively participate in all the International Yoga Day events taking place across EU institutions on 21 June 2016.
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.
All Members and officials of the European Parliament, officials of the European Union and media personnel are cordially invited to attend the event.
The session will be available via live webcast on http://webcast.artofliving.org/
For interview requests please contact c.ehlers@artofliving.de, Tel: + 49 151 4310 1428
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.
www.artofliving.org www.wfeb.org www.iahv.org