Dubai's Port Rashid is set to host the annual mega Yoga celebrations as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) continues its tradition of observing the International Day of Yoga. This year, the celebrations will take place at Port Rashid, a location that holds historical significance due to its long-standing trade connections with India's Kerala.

The UAE has embraced Yoga's universal appeal, and the event will feature various activities, including Yoga sessions onboard INS Brahmaputra, in which Indian Navy Sailors will participate. The presence of INS Brahmaputra, an Indian naval ship, further strengthens the maritime bond between India and the UAE. Leading the celebrations will be Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the Minister of Tolerance in the UAE, and Sunjay Sudhir, the Indian ambassador to the UAE, both of whom have been actively involved in promoting Yoga.

Last year, the Yoga celebrations in the UAE took place at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, highlighting the growing popularity of this ancient practice in the region. Yoga has garnered significant interest in West Asia, with neighbouring Saudi Arabia even establishing its own national yoga team. Impressively, the Saudi Yoga Team achieved commendable success at the 2nd Mt. Everest International Yoga Championship, securing five medals, including a gold, three silver, and a bronze.

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Originating in India, Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice that emphasizes the union of body and consciousness. The word "yoga" derives from Sanskrit and signifies the act of joining or uniting. Recognizing its numerous benefits, the United Nations proclaimed June 21st as the International Day of Yoga on December 11, 2014, through resolution 69/131. The proposal for this day was put forth by India and gained the endorsement of an unprecedented 175 member states.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/spider-man-across-the-spider-verse-banned-in-saudi-arabia-heres-what-happened-605046">Also read:&nbsp;Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse banned in Saudi Arabia and UAE</a>

The International Day of Yoga serves to raise global awareness about the transformative power of practising Yoga. As people worldwide come together to celebrate this occasion, it offers an opportunity to reflect on the holistic benefits that Yoga brings to individuals and communities alike.

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Dubai's Port Rashid is set to host the annual mega Yoga celebrations as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) continues its tradition of observing the International Day of Yoga.

Dubai's Port Rashid is set to host the annual mega Yoga celebrations as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) continues its tradition of observing the International Day of Yoga. This year, the celebrations will take place at Port Rashid, a location that holds historical significance due to its long-standing trade connections with India's Kerala. The UAE has embraced Yoga's universal appeal, and the event will feature various activities, including Yoga sessions onboard INS Brahmaputra, in which Indian Navy Sailors will participate. The presence of INS Brahmaputra, an Indian naval ship, further strengthens the maritime bond between India and the UAE. Leading the celebrations will be Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the Minister of Tolerance in the UAE, and Sunjay Sudhir, the Indian ambassador to the UAE, both of whom have been actively involved in promoting Yoga. Last year, the Yoga celebrations in the UAE took place at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, highlighting the growing popularity of this ancient practice in the region. Yoga has garnered significant interest in West Asia, with neighbouring Saudi Arabia even establishing its own national yoga team. Impressively, the Saudi Yoga Team achieved commendable success at the 2nd Mt. Everest International Yoga Championship, securing five medals, including a gold, three silver, and a bronze. × Originating in India, Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice that emphasizes the union of body and consciousness. The word "yoga" derives from Sanskrit and signifies the act of joining or uniting. Recognizing its numerous benefits, the United Nations proclaimed June 21st as the International Day of Yoga on December 11, 2014, through resolution 69/131. The proposal for this day was put forth by India and gained the endorsement of an unprecedented 175 member states. Also read: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse banned in Saudi Arabia and UAE The International Day of Yoga serves to raise global awareness about the transformative power of practising Yoga. As people worldwide come together to celebrate this occasion, it offers an opportunity to reflect on the holistic benefits that Yoga brings to individuals and communities alike. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

UAE to celebrate International Yoga Day at Dubai's Port Rashid

Italy's Samantha Cristoforetti, who on Wednesday (September 28) became the first European woman to take over command of the International Space Station, was seen doing difficult yoga pose in zero gravity.

Italy's Samantha Cristoforetti, who on Wednesday (September 28) became the first European woman to take over command of the International Space Station, was seen doing difficult yoga pose in zero gravity. In a video shared on Twitter by Cosmic Kids, Cristoforetti is seen acing some yoga asanas aboard ISS. The stunning video went viral on social media as thousands of people have viewed it so far. The caption of the post read: "What happens when you try to do yoga in #SPACE? Here's @AstroSamantha the astronaut doing #CosmicKids on the ISS!" The video was shared on Wednesday, but there's no confirmation when was it actually recorded. ALSO READ | Report: Feeling unhappy, lonely can accelerate aging faster than smoking, diseases What happens when you try to do yoga in #SPACE? 🚀 Here's @AstroSamantha the astronaut doing #CosmicKids on the ISS! 💫 Watch the whole video here: https://t.co/gn7GomHmxT Thank you to the amazing team @ESA for this incredible opportunity! 🧑🚀 #MissionMinerva #SpaceWeek pic.twitter.com/0nOiXwZa6W — Cosmic Kids (@CosmicKidsYoga) September 27, 2022 × Cristoforetti's new role During a change of command ceremony on Wednesday, outgoing Russian cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev made a space-bound reference to the war in Ukraine. He said that "despite the storms on Earth, our international "cooperation continues". Artemyev handed Cristoforetti a golden key, which symbolised that she is the new commander of the space station. She will head until she returns to Earth on October 10. As per the guidelines, the commander is responsible for all tasks performed by the crew members onboard the space station. ALSO READ | 'Men are from Mars, women are from Venus', which planet should humans visit first? This is the second tour on the ISS as she arrived in April. The 45-year-old European Space Agency astronaut is a former Italian air force pilot. Samantha is the fifth but apparently, the first non-US woman to become commander since the role was created in 2000. She also holds the record for the longest stay in space by a woman after spending 199 days in orbit in 2014 and 2015. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Samantha Cristoforetti, first European woman to command ISS, does yoga asanas in space - Watch

#InternationalYogaDay2022: India's holistic approach towards health- see pics

A few weeks ago, Jeremy Gray, a state lawmaker of Alabama and a follower of yoga, decided to raise his voice against a 28-year-old ban on yoga in state public schools.

When he presented a bill to the Alabama state seeking removal of the ban on yoga, people started joining in on his mission and now, the state's governor, Kay Ivey, has revoked the ban.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/yoga-will-lead-to-guided-imagery-hinduism-christian-groups-claim-in-alabama-378180">Yoga will lead to guided imagery, Hinduism: Christian groups claim in Alabama</a>

As per the new regulations, yoga can now be taught and practiced in public schools. However, chants and mudras are still not allowed in the state.

"All instruction in yoga shall be limited exclusively to poses, exercises, and stretching techniques," the law states. However, "chanting, mantras, mudras, use of mandalas, induction of hypnotic states, guided imagery, and namaste greetings shall be expressly prohibited".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bali-deports-canadian-man-for-offering-orgasmic-yoga-classes-384088">Bali deports Canadian man for offering 'orgasmic' yoga classes</a>

In addition to this, while practicing yoga, the poses will have to be named only in English such as "downward dog"&nbsp;and "the warrior", rather than using the original Sanskrit names.

While some people have expressed happiness over this decision, others have not supported the cause claiming yoga can lead to 'guided imagery'.

"Yoga is a very big part of the Hindu religion, and if this bill passes then instructors will be able to come into classrooms as young as kindergarten and bring these children through guided imagery,&nbsp;which is a spiritual exercise," Becky Gerritson, director of the conservative Alabama Eagle&nbsp;had told the state senators.

A few weeks ago, Jeremy Gray, a state lawmaker of Alabama and a follower of yoga, decided to raise his voice against a 28-year-old ban on yoga in state public schools.

A few weeks ago, Jeremy Gray, a state lawmaker of Alabama and a follower of yoga, decided to raise his voice against a 28-year-old ban on yoga in state public schools. When he presented a bill to the Alabama state seeking removal of the ban on yoga, people started joining in on his mission and now, the state's governor, Kay Ivey, has revoked the ban. Also read | Yoga will lead to guided imagery, Hinduism: Christian groups claim in Alabama As per the new regulations, yoga can now be taught and practiced in public schools. However, chants and mudras are still not allowed in the state. "All instruction in yoga shall be limited exclusively to poses, exercises, and stretching techniques," the law states. However, "chanting, mantras, mudras, use of mandalas, induction of hypnotic states, guided imagery, and namaste greetings shall be expressly prohibited". Also read | Bali deports Canadian man for offering 'orgasmic' yoga classes In addition to this, while practicing yoga, the poses will have to be named only in English such as "downward dog" and "the warrior", rather than using the original Sanskrit names. While some people have expressed happiness over this decision, others have not supported the cause claiming yoga can lead to 'guided imagery'. "Yoga is a very big part of the Hindu religion, and if this bill passes then instructors will be able to come into classrooms as young as kindergarten and bring these children through guided imagery, which is a spiritual exercise," Becky Gerritson, director of the conservative Alabama Eagle had told the state senators.

Alabama revokes 28-year-old ban on yoga; prohibits 'namaste'

A state lawmaker in Alabama, who has been practising yoga for years, is aiming to overturn a 28-year-old ban on yoga in state public schools.

Jeremy Gray is about to present a bill to the Alabama state seeking removal of the ban on yoga. As of now, public school students are not allowed to practice yoga during gym classes.

The lifting of the ban was allowed by the state house of representatives in March and Gray is now awaiting the results of debate and vote in the senate.

However, he has been fighting a tough mindset. The conservatives feel yoga will lead children to 'guided imagery'.

"Yoga is a very big part of the Hindu religion, and if this bill passes then instructors will be able to come into classrooms as young as kindergarten and bring these children through guided imagery, which is a spiritual exercise," Becky Gerritson, director of the conservative Alabama Eagle&nbsp;told the state senators.

Gray has called this thought process to be misplaced and misinformed. "The promoting of Hinduism argument is the only talking point these conservative groups have, and it makes them look very misinformed and miseducated on the issue," Gray told the Guardian.

He has also been perplexed by the association of people who are opposing lifting the ban. Gray has revealed that the majority of people opposing his proposal are the ones who have never practised yoga and have no direct connection with the school.

"To me, you cannot be well versed on something you never experienced. We have individuals opposing a bill that really doesn't affect them, but those individuals in education are 100% behind it," he said.

Hindu groups in the state feel this echoes the ages-old notions that led to racism in the country.

“These arguments are a reminder of the Hindu-phobia that existed in the US in the 19th and early 20th century when Hindus were portrayed as strange cult followers out to alter your mind and get you to do crazy things. It’s sad to see such Hindu-phobia still persisting,” Nikunj Trivedi, president of the Coalition of Hindus of North America exclaimed.

The thought process of yoga promoting Hinduism is specifically being opposed as experts claim, the yoga being practised in the state has nothing to do with Hinduism.

"Most people don’t do yoga, what they do is asana or postures. Doing postures is not going to make you Hindu," Trivedi added.

A state lawmaker in Alabama, who has been practising yoga for years, is aiming to overturn a 28-year-old ban on yoga in state public schools. Jeremy Gray is about to present a bill to the Alabama state seeking removal of the ban on yoga.

A state lawmaker in Alabama, who has been practising yoga for years, is aiming to overturn a 28-year-old ban on yoga in state public schools. Jeremy Gray is about to present a bill to the Alabama state seeking removal of the ban on yoga. As of now, public school students are not allowed to practice yoga during gym classes. The lifting of the ban was allowed by the state house of representatives in March and Gray is now awaiting the results of debate and vote in the senate. However, he has been fighting a tough mindset. The conservatives feel yoga will lead children to 'guided imagery'. "Yoga is a very big part of the Hindu religion, and if this bill passes then instructors will be able to come into classrooms as young as kindergarten and bring these children through guided imagery, which is a spiritual exercise," Becky Gerritson, director of the conservative Alabama Eagle told the state senators. Gray has called this thought process to be misplaced and misinformed. "The promoting of Hinduism argument is the only talking point these conservative groups have, and it makes them look very misinformed and miseducated on the issue," Gray told the Guardian. He has also been perplexed by the association of people who are opposing lifting the ban. Gray has revealed that the majority of people opposing his proposal are the ones who have never practised yoga and have no direct connection with the school. "To me, you cannot be well versed on something you never experienced. We have individuals opposing a bill that really doesn't affect them, but those individuals in education are 100% behind it," he said. Hindu groups in the state feel this echoes the ages-old notions that led to racism in the country. “These arguments are a reminder of the Hindu-phobia that existed in the US in the 19th and early 20th century when Hindus were portrayed as strange cult followers out to alter your mind and get you to do crazy things. It’s sad to see such Hindu-phobia still persisting,” Nikunj Trivedi, president of the Coalition of Hindus of North America exclaimed. The thought process of yoga promoting Hinduism is specifically being opposed as experts claim, the yoga being practised in the state has nothing to do with Hinduism. "Most people don’t do yoga, what they do is asana or postures. Doing postures is not going to make you Hindu," Trivedi added.

Yoga will lead to guided imagery, Hinduism: Christian groups claim in Alabama

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