Amsterdam to observe International Yoga Day on June 17

The prestigious Museumplein of Amsterdam will host the biggest International Yoga Day celebrations in The Netherlands on June 17.

The celebrations being organised at the initiative of the Embassy of India will be a whole day wellness festival with mass yoga demonstrations, meditation sessions, music, dance, and vegetarian as well as vegan food.

The celebrations will be opened by Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management, Cora van Nieuwenhuizen; Mayor of Amsterdam Mr. Jozias van Aartsen, spiritual guru His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Venu Rajamony, Ambassador of India to the Netherlands.

Following the inauguration, there will be a group session of traditional Indian yoga, followed by a talk and meditation session led by His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Yoga demonstrations will then be interspersed with cultural programs of Indian dance and music for the rest of the day.

Well known Dutch yoga teacher, Johan Noorloos of The New Yoga School, Amsterdam, will conduct a workshop followed by Patty Jogenmaets of Dolfijn Wellness Amsterdam who will lead a special family yoga session for parents and children. Food trucks providing vegetarian and vegan food and non-alcoholic beverages will cater to the visitors throughout the day. The grand finale in the evening will be a music concert called "The Soul Shanti Concert" featuring violin maestro Dr. L. Subramaniam and Bollywood playback singer Kavita Krishnamurthy.

The United Nations General Assembly passed a Resolution on 11 December 2014, at the initiative of India, declaring June 21 as the International Day of Yoga.

The resolution calls upon governments and people all over the world to observe this day in appropriate manner and to raise awareness of the benefits of practicing yoga. It notes the importance of individuals and populations making healthier choices.

The resolution also points out that global health is a long term development objective, yoga provides a holistic approach to health and well-being and wider dissemination of information on the benefits of yoga would be beneficial for both physical and mental health of the world population. It has been customary to hold the celebrations in the Netherlands on the Sunday before June 21.