Yoga practitioners took a relaxing break to bend, twist and pose Wednesday morning for the annual event celebrating the practice, especially in the country where it began.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined 50,000 students and other residents for a mass yoga session in the pouring rain in the northern city of Lucknow. Similar yoga displays were organized in villages, towns and cities across India.

The United Nations designated International Yoga Day in 2014. In Myanmar, people performed exercises near the Shwedagon pagoda, the landmark Buddhist stupa in Yangon.

The practice began in ancient India, and Modi has described yoga as free health insurance and exhorted people to make it a part of their daily lives.

Even in the rain, "there is no let down in the enthusiasm of the volunteers," Lucknow District Magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma said.

Modi, dressed in white, instructed the children at the outdoor yoga session at Rama Bai Ambedkar Ground. Occasionally, he paused to correct a child's posture.

"It was a very nice gesture of prime minister to come out of the dry comfort of his waterproof tent and do yoga with us in the open. It was not easy. The yoga mat was wet and slippery and water puddles were all around," 18-year-old student Neha Prakash said.</s>New Delhi (Sputnik) — The acting dean of the diplomatic corps, ambassadors and high commissioners of several countries practised yogic asanas and pranayama on the occasion.

​​Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also attended yoga celebrations and stressed that yoga belongs not merely to India, but to the whole world and is a complete system for well-being and harmony within ourselves, as well as with nature and the world.

​On the occasion of the International Day of Yoga, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in a mass yoga event in Lucknow, the capital of the state of Uttar Pradesh.

Addressing the gathering, Modi said yoga has become a part of many people's lives. He said yoga's popularity is greater even outside India, and yoga has connected the world with India.

​The International Day of Yoga has been celebrated around the world in which people from various walks of life took part.

Enthusiastic participants performed yoga to celebrate the third International Day of Yoga in Berlin.

The day was celebrated with much fanfare in Italy.

​The Third International Yoga Day was also celebrated in Russia in which hundreds of people took part and performed various yogic exercises.</s>The ITBP personnel also celebrated yoga at various locations across India.

Joining the nation in celebrating the third edition of International Yoga Day, the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) force on Wednesday performed yoga at nearly 18000 feet above the sea level in Ladakh at biting -25 degree Celsius.

The ITBP personnel also celebrated yoga at various locations across India, including Himachal Pradesh's Kullu, Chhattisgarh's Rajnandgaon District, Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi district.

Indian Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba also preformed Yoga in New Delhi.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the International Yoga Day celebrations in Lucknow.

The entire world has been equally thrilled and pumped up to observe the occasion, taking a pledging to keep their body, mind and soul fit.

The age-old Indian practice has brought people from different cultures and countries together and this could be clearly seen from the zeal and enthusiasm with which the people across the globe are practicing yoga.

Prime Minister Modi while addressing the gathering on this day in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow said that Yoga has become an integral part of every Indian household.

Conveying his greetings to all those who joined the Yoga Day 2017 celebrations across India and the world, Prime Minister Modi said Yoga's immense popularity outside India is high and has connected the world with India.

"I am happy to see so many Yoga institutes being opened over the last three years. Demand for Yoga teachers is increasing. Apart from fitness, wellness is important. Yoga is a medium to achieve wellness," Prime Minister Modi said.

The international day for yoga is celebrated annually since its inception in 2015.

An International day for Yoga was declared unanimously by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 11 December 2014.</s>New Delhi: The nation is celebrating third International Yoga Day. This year the theme of the day is 'Yoga for Harmony and Peace'. The yoga protocol will begin at 7 am and last for 45 minutes.

The main event in India will take place at Uttar Pradesh's Ramabai Ambedkar maidan where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will perform Yoga along with over 50,000 participants.

To mark the importance of Yoga, Indian missions abroad will also organise programmes on Yoga with participants from various sections of the society.

Yoga events will be held at various places in the city including Connaught Place, Lodhi Garden, Nehru Park, Talkatora Garden and Childrens' Park. Over 10,000 people are expected to perform various postures of Yoga in the main event at Connaught Place where Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu and other leaders will also join in. Besides, diplomats of various countries would be participating in the programme at Nehru Park. Volunteers from various organisations including NDMC, Delhi Police and paramilitary forces will also perform yoga on the occasion. The vehicular traffic in Connaught Place's inner circle has already been closed till 11.30 am for the smooth conduct of the event. Prime Minister Modi will participate in third Edition of International Yoga Day Function at Ramabai Ambedkar Ground in Lucknow. He along with Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya will be performing Yoga along with above 60,000 participants including students of several schools, paramilitary personnel, government officials and volunteers. The 80 minute Yoga session is expected to begin at around 6.30 am and end at 7.50 am Several dignitaries, politicians and bureaucrats will also gather at the ground. In order to make the International Yoga Day programme a success, various organisations, NGOs and Yoga gurus have held camps and practice sessions. Massive security arrangements are in place in the state capital in view of Prime Minister's visit. Large numbers of police officers and 25 companies of PAC are deployed.</s>Lucknow: Hundreds of Muslim men and women will participate in the mega International Yoga Day event in Lucknow on Wednesday performing along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi various yoga asanas at the sprawling Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan.

"At least 300 Muslim men and women will be participating in the International Yoga Day celebrations along with Modi. This will be undoubtedly a historic moment in the life of each and every member of our organisation, as they would share precious 80-minute period with the Prime Minister," Raees Khan, the incharge of Muslim Rashtriya Manch for UP and Uttarakhand, told PTI.

Spokesperson of the All India Shia Personal Law Board Maulana Yasoob Abbas, when contacted, said, "Several students of Shia PG College will be going to Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan to participate in the Yoga Day event. Apart from this, parallel sessions will be held on the college campus. We will make efforts to ensure that yoga sessions are held on a daily basis in the college."

On 29 March, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, while addressing the three-day UP Yoga Mahotsava in Lucknow, had said that Surya Namaskar was similar to namaz (prayers) offered by Muslims and those opposing the yogic exercise wanted to divide the society on religious lines.

Adityanath, who had in the past lashed out at a section of Muslims for terming the practice of surya namaskar as "un-Islamic", said the sun salutation was a beautiful example of religious harmony.

"The namaz offered by Muslims resembles different postures and asanas of surya namaskar including pranayama. What a beautiful example of harmony (between two religions). But some bhogis who do not believe in yoga, indulged in dividing the society on lines of caste, creed, religion and region among others," he said.

"All asanas (postures) in surya namaskar, pranayama activities are similar to the way namaz is offered by our Muslim brothers. But nobody ever tried to bring them together because few people were interested only in bhoga not yoga," he said.

"Before 2014, even talking about Yoga was considered communal. But things changed after Modi took steps to make Yoga popular across the world," he said.

Lauding the prime minister for making yoga a global phenomenon, Adityanath had said, "PM Modi deserves all the credit for the global recognition which yoga has got."

"The number of countries which participated in the International Yoga Day celebrations in 2015 was 175, which went up to 192 in the subsequent year," he said.</s>International day of yoga is also called as World Yoga Day. United Nations General Assembly declared June 21 as an International Yoga Day on December 11 in 2014. Yoga in India is considered to be around 5,000 years old. Yoga originated in India in ancient times when people used of meditation to transform their body and mind. On this occasion, here is a list of celebs inspired by Yoga…

Kunal Jaisingh

 To became successful one needs to have control over their body and mind, which boosts us to work hard. And to enjoy a successful life, one needs good health. Yoga helps in both of them.

Niti Taylor

 They say and I believe that Yoga is a light, which once lit, will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter the flame.

Manish Goplani

 Yoga is the easiest and best way to feel awesome and enjoy self relaxation. It helps us get confidence through self control and energy within.

Shubhangi Atre

 Yoga means the union of body with consciousness and consciousness with the soul. It helps us cultivate the idea of maintaining a balanced attitude in day to day life. It helps us build skill sets.

Tejasswi Prakash

 There are so many kinds of yoga. Choose one of your choice. I like to dance to stay fit. What’s wrong in entertaining yourself and maintaining good health. Yoga is the ancient and natural way which can allow you to overcome any disease or situation!



Suyyash Rai 

 Concentrating on poses brings out the perfect photoshoot but focusing on the breath helps the body shift out of unhealthy mode! Pose are about photography and breath are about yoga.

Devoleena Bhattacharjee

 Yoga is an ancient and perfect science that deals with the evolution of humanity. This evolution includes all aspects of one’s being, from bodily health to self realization.

Mahika Sharma

 Mirror can help you exploring your looks. Yoga can help you to explore your spirit and later give you the power to stay in control and stress-free.

Aly Goni

 I see my Dad doing yoga from last 30 years. He looks much more fitter than our generation. He is 60 years old but looks much younger. Just because of his yoga routine he is fit, strong and healthy and also look young. From so many years his weight is same, nor increases or decreases.

Yuvika Chaudhary

 When we find ourselves lost exploring few answers from life. The best is to practice yoga and explore ourself and it will get you all the answers making you relaxed.

Stay tuned to Bollywood Life for more scoop and updates…</s>Marking the third International Yoga Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took part in a yoga programme at Ramabai Rally Ground in Lucknow. After the Indian Prime Minister persuaded the United Nations in 2015 to declare June 21 as the International Yoga, 180 countries across the world have been taking part in the event.

As the Indian cricket team prepares for their five-match ODI series, Shikhar Dhawan, who has credited the ancient practice as beneficial to his career, took to Twitter where he wrote “Yoga has played an important part of my routine. It has helped me both physically and mentally.”

Sports Minister Vijay Goel who has taken an initiative of promoting Yoga to the grass root level took part in a yoga event in New Delhi along with BJP’s nominee for President’s post Ram Nath Kovind, Venkaiah Naidu and BJP spokesperson Meenakashi Lekhi. Indian wrestler Sangram Singh also joined the Sports Minister.

India’s only woman to win a medal in Paralympics Games, Deepa Malik, joined Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on the occasion of the International Yoga Day.

Indian seamer Ishant Sharma, who has been regular in India’s Test squad, also posted a photo on Instagram of him performing yoga.

For all the latest Sports News, download Indian Express App</s>Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will celebrate International Yoga Day 2017 in a yoga session at Ramabai Rally Ground in Lucknow on Wednesday morning. The UN International Day of Yoga is celebrated every year on June 21. Several countries have already started celebrations with Yoga Day events from last week itself. The event in Lucknow is set to be one of the biggest yoga events in the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after attending two programmes at Central Drug Research Institute and APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University, is expected to dine at the Chief Minister’s residence on 5 Kalidas Marg.

The security arrangements kept in place are elaborate with adequate deployment of commandos and para-military forces stationed in and around the event venue. Nearly 400 CCTV surveillance cameras have been put in place for the event’s security. Participants would enter the venue between 2-5 am on Wednesday. The venue will be full of huge LED screens so that the participants can properly carry out the asanas and postures as instructed by the instructors.

Apart from Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan, 11 parks have been installed with screens to assist morning walkers in doing yoga. The programme is set to begin at 6:30 am. Invitations were sent out to former chief ministers of UP Akhilesh Yadav, Mayawati and other state leaders, governors, politicians etc.

A 28-day workshop was organised by the CM last month to ensure the success of the event. The inmates lodged in prisons will be included in the Yoga Day celebrations as well. Around 92,000 inmates will do asanas from their prison premises.

Meanwhile, the Ayush ministry has also released a common yoga protocol booklet. The purpose of the protocol is to spread awareness about Yoga and how peace and harmony could be achieved through it. It contains a message by PM Modi and various exercises and teachings of Yoga discipline. It also contains instructions for asanas broken down into steps and simplified with accompanying sketches.

For all the latest India News, download Indian Express App</s>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said yoga, akin to its capacity to unite the body, mind and soul, has played a “big role” in binding the world, cutting across linguistic and cultural barriers.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the Yoga event at Lucknow's Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan where he was joined by another 50,000 people. Photograph: Press Information Bureau

Addressing a huge gathering at the Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan in Lucknow on the occasion of the third International Yoga Day celebrations, he also asserted that the traditional practice has now become part of every person’s life.

“Many countries which do not know our language, tradition, or culture, are now connecting to India through Yoga. The practice, which connects body, mind and soul, has played a big role in binding the world too,” he said.

Donning a white t-shirt and loose trousers, Modi also performed asanas along with over 50,000 yoga enthusiasts braving early morning drizzles.

“Earlier, Yoga was only restricted to saints and seers in the Himalayan mountains. Now, it has become part of every person’s life,” he said in his address.

He also asserted that attaining “wellness” through yoga was more important than simply being physically fit.

“It is not important to perform yoga for 24 hours. 50 or 60 minutes (is fine) because it lends harmony to the body, mind and intellect. If 1.25 billion Indians and people around the world can attain this state of well-being, then humankind can also tide over problems born out of human thoughts,” he said.
• Netas lead the way on Yoga Day

He also explained the importance of Yoga using an analogy of salt.

IMAGE: Despite the rain, people turned up in large numbers to participate in the event. 

Photograph: Press Information Bureau

“Just as the importance of salt is not only to lend taste to food, but also ensure well-being of the body, similarly Yoga can have the same importance as salt has in life,” he

said.

He said yoga is about health assurance. “It is not even expensive to practice,” he said.

“I urge everyone to make yoga a part of their lives,” he said, adding that he was glad to see several yoga institutes take shape over the last three years.

Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath joined the prime minister in performing yoga at the sprawling venue.

In his address, Adityanath thanked Modi for enhancing Yoga’s reputation globally.

Intermittent rains since morning failed to deter thousands of yoga enthusiasts, who enjoyed performing asanas fully drenched.

Three years ago, Modi had persuaded the United Nations to declare June 21 as the International Yoga Day.

Since then, thousands of people hold yoga programmes across the world on this day.

A tight security cordon was put in place around the venue, while all arterial roads were under strict CCTV vigil.</s>International Yoga Day 2017: Yoga in India is considered to be an around 5,000-year-old mental, physical and spiritual practice. Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his first address to the United Nations General Assembly in September 2014 proposed the idea of International Yoga Day and it was accepted. Now, India and the world are gearing up for the third edition of International Yoga Day, which is going to be held on June 21, the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere. This year PM will observe the event in Lucknow and the capital of Uttar Pradesh with nearly 55,000 people are expected to attend the event at the Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan. UP CM Yogi Adityanath will lead a rehearsal of the main event and will monitor arrangements for the main event. Meanwhile, all the preparations are done and just the final touches are being given to make the International Yoga Day event tomorrow a grand success! Here are some key points to know about tomorrow’s event:

1 As many as 51,560 Yoga enthusiasts will be performing various Yoga asanas at the Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan, as per the officials of Lucknow district administration. Apart from this, there will be participants from various organisations and schools.

2 The event is scheduled for 80-minutes that will begin at around 6.30 AM. Additional District Magistrate (Lucknow East) Virendra Pandey was quoted by PTI as saying that the participants will be allowed to enter the venue from 2.00 AM to 5.30 AM. Giant LED screens will be installed at the venue for them to have a close look at the yogic postures.

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3 Uttar Pradesh government has sent invites to leaders of various political parties, including former chief ministers Samajwadi Party’s Akhilesh Yadav and Bahujan Samaj Party’s chief Mayawati.

4 Some prominent participants in the third International Yoga Day are Patanjali Sansthan, NCC, Dev Sanskriti Sansthan, Art of Living, Brahmakumaris, CRPF and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). Apart from this, nearly 80 foreign participants are also likely to take part in the event.

Also See: International Yoga Day grabs attention, people across globe participate; check out images

5 A tight security cordon has been thrown around the sprawling venue with commandos and paramilitary personnel keeping a close watch from vantage points, police said. Officials said over 400 CCTV cameras would be installed for the tomorrow’s event.
More than 50,000 people practice yoga in Lucknow, India, to celebrate International Yoga Day.