<p>A brooding military veteran and former teacher who railed at women and blacks in a series of poorly lit videos shot two women to death and wounded five other people at a Florida yoga studio before killing himself.</p>

<p>The Friday evening shooting at a busy upscale shopping plaza jolted the state capital and police said they were still searching for a motive that led to the deaths of a Florida State University student and a well-known local doctor who was a member of the school faculty.</p>

<p>But details about 40-year-old Scott Paul Beierle began to emerge in the hours after, including that he had once been banned from FSU's campus and had been arrested twice for grabbing women even though the charges were ultimately dropped.</p>

<p>Beierle, who had moved to the central Florida town of Deltona after getting a graduate degree from FSU, also appear to post a series of videos on YouTube in 2014 where he called women "whores" if they dated black men, said many black women were "disgusting" and described himself as a misogynist.</p>

<p>He said promiscuous women deserved to be crucified and he suggested putting up land mines to keep people from crossing into the US from Mexico. The existence of the videos was first reported by BuzzFeed.</p>

<p>Tallahassee police say Beierle shot six people and pistol-whipped another after walking into the yoga studio that sits on the second floor of a shopping centre located near the city's fashionable midtown neighborhoods. Tallahassee Police Chief Michael DeLeo said some in the studio showed courage by trying to stop him.</p>

<p>Witnesses at the shopping centre described how people who had been in the studio ran away, seeking shelter in nearby bars and restaurants as shots rang out.</p>

<p>Police responded within a few minutes, but by then Beirele had fatally shot himself, leaving police to search for a motive and a community to wonder what prompted the violence.</p>

<p>"It's a place that brings me joy and peace, and I think it's ruined," said Katie Bohnett, an instructor at the yoga studio who skipped her normal Friday practice to meet a friend for dinner.</p>

<p>"This monster ruined it." Police said Beierle acted alone but they were still looking into what prompted the shooting. He was originally from New York, had served in the military and once was a teacher in Maryland.</p>

<p>After his military service, he wound up attending FSU.</p>

<p>Kristi Malone, who had a graduate class with Beierle, said in a Facebook message that she did not interact with him outside of the classroom because of "his odd leering, inappropriate comments and general demeanor."</p>

<p>"I know that myself and several of my female colleagues made a point to never be alone with him even at school because of his odd behavior," Malone said.</p>

<p>Mike Orgo, who was friends with Beierle on Facebook, said he met him back in 2011 at comedy night open microphone sessions held at a Tallahassee restaurant. He said that he did not know him well but said he "definitely seemed angry and on edge".</p>

<p>Witnesses told police that Beierle posed as a customer to gain entrance to the studio, then started shooting without warning. Police have not yet said what kind of gun he used. Bohnett said that those at the studio Friday were yoga devotees. She said she did not recognize Beierle.</p>

<p>The two slain Friday were a student and faculty member at Florida State University, according to university officials. The department identified them as Dr. Nancy Van Vessem, 61, and Maura Binkley, 21.</p>

<p>Binkley was a student from Atlanta who was due to graduate in May. Police said two other victims were in stable condition, and three had been released from the hospital.</p>

<p>Van Vessem was an internist who also served as chief medical director for Capital Health Plan, the area's leading health maintenance organisation. Court and FSU records show that Beierle had been previously arrested for grabbing women&nbsp;and had once been banned from FSU's campus.</p>

<p>Beierle was charged by police with battery in 2016 after he slapped and grabbed a woman's buttocks at an apartment complex pool. Records show that the charges were eventually dismissed after Beierle followed the conditions of a deferred prosecution agreement.</p>

<p>Beierle was also charged with battery in 2012 for grabbing women's buttocks in a university campus dining hall. A FSU police report shows that Beierle told police he may have accidentally bumped into someone, but denied grabbing anyone.</p>

<p>In 2014, Beierle was charged with trespassing at FSU. He had been seen following an FSU volleyball coach near the campus gym and was told that he was banned from campus. A month later police found him at a campus restaurant.</p>

<p>It was shortly after his trespassing charges that he posted the series of videos. A Tallahassee police spokesman would not confirm or deny the videos were Beierle.</p>

<p>Biographical details mentioned in the videos, however, match known facts about Beierle, including details about his military service. The videos were taken down by YouTube on Saturday.&nbsp;</p>


A brooding military veteran and former teacher who railed at women and blacks in a series of poorly lit videos shot two women to death and wounded five other people at a Florida yoga studio before killing himself.

A brooding military veteran and former teacher who railed at women and blacks in a series of poorly lit videos shot two women to death and wounded five other people at a Florida yoga studio before killing himself. The Friday evening shooting at a busy upscale shopping plaza jolted the state capital and police said they were still searching for a motive that led to the deaths of a Florida State University student and a well-known local doctor who was a member of the school faculty. But details about 40-year-old Scott Paul Beierle began to emerge in the hours after, including that he had once been banned from FSU's campus and had been arrested twice for grabbing women even though the charges were ultimately dropped. Beierle, who had moved to the central Florida town of Deltona after getting a graduate degree from FSU, also appear to post a series of videos on YouTube in 2014 where he called women "whores" if they dated black men, said many black women were "disgusting" and described himself as a misogynist. He said promiscuous women deserved to be crucified and he suggested putting up land mines to keep people from crossing into the US from Mexico. The existence of the videos was first reported by BuzzFeed. Tallahassee police say Beierle shot six people and pistol-whipped another after walking into the yoga studio that sits on the second floor of a shopping centre located near the city's fashionable midtown neighborhoods. Tallahassee Police Chief Michael DeLeo said some in the studio showed courage by trying to stop him. Witnesses at the shopping centre described how people who had been in the studio ran away, seeking shelter in nearby bars and restaurants as shots rang out. Police responded within a few minutes, but by then Beirele had fatally shot himself, leaving police to search for a motive and a community to wonder what prompted the violence. "It's a place that brings me joy and peace, and I think it's ruined," said Katie Bohnett, an instructor at the yoga studio who skipped her normal Friday practice to meet a friend for dinner. "This monster ruined it." Police said Beierle acted alone but they were still looking into what prompted the shooting. He was originally from New York, had served in the military and once was a teacher in Maryland. After his military service, he wound up attending FSU. Kristi Malone, who had a graduate class with Beierle, said in a Facebook message that she did not interact with him outside of the classroom because of "his odd leering, inappropriate comments and general demeanor." "I know that myself and several of my female colleagues made a point to never be alone with him even at school because of his odd behavior," Malone said. Mike Orgo, who was friends with Beierle on Facebook, said he met him back in 2011 at comedy night open microphone sessions held at a Tallahassee restaurant. He said that he did not know him well but said he "definitely seemed angry and on edge". Witnesses told police that Beierle posed as a customer to gain entrance to the studio, then started shooting without warning. Police have not yet said what kind of gun he used. Bohnett said that those at the studio Friday were yoga devotees. She said she did not recognize Beierle. The two slain Friday were a student and faculty member at Florida State University, according to university officials. The department identified them as Dr. Nancy Van Vessem, 61, and Maura Binkley, 21. Binkley was a student from Atlanta who was due to graduate in May. Police said two other victims were in stable condition, and three had been released from the hospital. Van Vessem was an internist who also served as chief medical director for Capital Health Plan, the area's leading health maintenance organisation. Court and FSU records show that Beierle had been previously arrested for grabbing women and had once been banned from FSU's campus. Beierle was charged by police with battery in 2016 after he slapped and grabbed a woman's buttocks at an apartment complex pool. Records show that the charges were eventually dismissed after Beierle followed the conditions of a deferred prosecution agreement. Beierle was also charged with battery in 2012 for grabbing women's buttocks in a university campus dining hall. A FSU police report shows that Beierle told police he may have accidentally bumped into someone, but denied grabbing anyone. In 2014, Beierle was charged with trespassing at FSU. He had been seen following an FSU volleyball coach near the campus gym and was told that he was banned from campus. A month later police found him at a campus restaurant. It was shortly after his trespassing charges that he posted the series of videos. A Tallahassee police spokesman would not confirm or deny the videos were Beierle. Biographical details mentioned in the videos, however, match known facts about Beierle, including details about his military service. The videos were taken down by YouTube on Saturday.

US yoga studio shooter posted racist, misogynistic videos

<p>A gunman has killed two people and wounded five others at a yoga studio in Florida's capital before killing himself, officials said.</p>

<p>Tallahassee Police Chief Michael DeLeo told reporters Friday night that the man shot six people and pistol-whipped another after walking into the studio, which is part of a small Tallahassee shopping center.</p>

<p>The suspect fatally shot himself, DeLeo said. City spokesman Jamie Van Pelt said the shooting appeared to be a part of a domestic dispute.</p>

<p>DeLeo said police haven't identified the shooter and are asking for anyone who saw something unusual around the time of the shooting to contact police. He said the shooter acted alone.</p>

<p>"We're all very saddened and shocked by the events that occurred, but it's important that people understand that there is no immediate threat outside of what has already occurred this evening," DeLeo said.</p>

<p>A major commuter intersection was blocked off and businesses in the plaza were on lockdown as police investigated.</p>

<p>City Commissioner Scott Maddox was on the scene. He said on Facebook, "In my public service career I have had to be on some bad scenes. This is the worst. Please pray."</p>

<p>Elle Welling said she was leaving a liquor store across the street from the shopping centre and saw at least three people loaded into ambulances.</p>

<p>"You don't think about this in Tallahassee and now you have to," said Welling, 26, who lives in the neighborhood. The plaza is home to popular restaurants, a jewellery store, a framing shop, a hair salon and other businesses.</p>

<p>Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, who is the Democratic nominee for governor, tweeted that he's breaking off the campaign trail to return to Tallahassee. He earlier appeared at a campaign event with former president Barack Obama.</p>

<p>"I'm deeply appreciative of law enforcement's quick response to the shooting at the yoga facility in Tallahassee today. No act of gun violence is acceptable. I'm in close communication with law enforcement officials and will be returning to Tallahassee tonight," Gillum tweeted.</p>

<p>Republican Gov. Rick Scott, who is challenging Democratic Senator Bill Nelson, called DeLeo and the head of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to get details of the shooting.</p>

<p>"I will remain in constant communication with law enforcement. We have offered state assistance," Scott tweeted.</p>

<p>Tallahassee's crime and murder rate has been an issue in the governor's race, with Gillum's opponent, Republican former US Representative Ron DeSantis, calling the capital Florida's most crime-ridden city, a claim that is incorrect.</p>


A gunman has killed two people and wounded five others at a yoga studio in Florida's capital before killing himself, officials said. Tallahassee Police Chief Michael DeLeo told reporters Friday night that the man shot six people and pistol-whipped another after walking into the studio, which is part of a small Tallahassee shopping center.

A gunman has killed two people and wounded five others at a yoga studio in Florida's capital before killing himself, officials said. Tallahassee Police Chief Michael DeLeo told reporters Friday night that the man shot six people and pistol-whipped another after walking into the studio, which is part of a small Tallahassee shopping center. The suspect fatally shot himself, DeLeo said. City spokesman Jamie Van Pelt said the shooting appeared to be a part of a domestic dispute. DeLeo said police haven't identified the shooter and are asking for anyone who saw something unusual around the time of the shooting to contact police. He said the shooter acted alone. "We're all very saddened and shocked by the events that occurred, but it's important that people understand that there is no immediate threat outside of what has already occurred this evening," DeLeo said. A major commuter intersection was blocked off and businesses in the plaza were on lockdown as police investigated. City Commissioner Scott Maddox was on the scene. He said on Facebook, "In my public service career I have had to be on some bad scenes. This is the worst. Please pray." Elle Welling said she was leaving a liquor store across the street from the shopping centre and saw at least three people loaded into ambulances. "You don't think about this in Tallahassee and now you have to," said Welling, 26, who lives in the neighborhood. The plaza is home to popular restaurants, a jewellery store, a framing shop, a hair salon and other businesses. Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, who is the Democratic nominee for governor, tweeted that he's breaking off the campaign trail to return to Tallahassee. He earlier appeared at a campaign event with former president Barack Obama. "I'm deeply appreciative of law enforcement's quick response to the shooting at the yoga facility in Tallahassee today. No act of gun violence is acceptable. I'm in close communication with law enforcement officials and will be returning to Tallahassee tonight," Gillum tweeted. Republican Gov. Rick Scott, who is challenging Democratic Senator Bill Nelson, called DeLeo and the head of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to get details of the shooting. "I will remain in constant communication with law enforcement. We have offered state assistance," Scott tweeted. Tallahassee's crime and murder rate has been an issue in the governor's race, with Gillum's opponent, Republican former US Representative Ron DeSantis, calling the capital Florida's most crime-ridden city, a claim that is incorrect.

3 dead, including shooter, at Florida yoga studio: Police

<p>Regular practice of Yoga by men can reduce the incidence of recurrent spontaneous abortion as it improves the quality of sperm DNA, according to a study conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi.</p>

<p>The study was conducted by experts from the Department of Anatomy in collaboration with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and was published in Andrologia in October and the International Journal of Scientific Research, February edition.</p>

<p>As part of the study, 60 male partners in couples with idiopathic recurrent spontaneous abortions were made to practice Yoga regularly, said Rima Dada, professor-in-charge of Laboratory of Molecular Reproduction and Genetics, Department of Anatomy at AIIMS.</p>

<p>"These men had no history of performing Yoga prior to inclusion in the study. They were made to do yoga for 90 days.</p>

<p>"These had seminal oxidative stress (excess free radicals) and sperm DNA damage which impairs normal embryonic development post fertilisation and thus results in abortion," Dada said.</p>

<p>Dada said unhealthy social habits like smoking, excess alcohol consumption, fast food calorie dense and nutritionally depleted food, sedentary lifestyle, excessive use of mobile phones, high levels of psychological stress, obesity all contribute to oxidative stress and DNA damage.</p>

<p>Sperm DNA integrity is vital for birth of healthy offspring and impacts its lifelong health.</p>

<p>"Mature sperm has a very basic and incomplete DNA repair mechanism, thus it is better to follow a policy of prevention is better than cure by following a healthy lifestyle (increased intake of whole unprocessed plant based foods) and minimising exposure or intake of factors causing oxidative stress that compromise genomic integrity," she said.</p>

<p>The adoption of yoga has shown to lower OS, reduce DNA fragmentation, and thus improve genomic integrity and normalise sperm transcripts, positively impacting the sperm epigenome.</p>

<p>This may aid in normal embryonic development and reduce incidence of genetic and epigenetic defects in the offspring and reduce incidence of spontaneous abortions, she said.&nbsp;</p>


Regular practice of Yoga by men can reduce the incidence of recurrent spontaneous abortion as it improves the quality of sperm DNA, according to a study conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi.

Regular practice of Yoga by men can reduce the incidence of recurrent spontaneous abortion as it improves the quality of sperm DNA, according to a study conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. The study was conducted by experts from the Department of Anatomy in collaboration with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and was published in Andrologia in October and the International Journal of Scientific Research, February edition. As part of the study, 60 male partners in couples with idiopathic recurrent spontaneous abortions were made to practice Yoga regularly, said Rima Dada, professor-in-charge of Laboratory of Molecular Reproduction and Genetics, Department of Anatomy at AIIMS. "These men had no history of performing Yoga prior to inclusion in the study. They were made to do yoga for 90 days. "These had seminal oxidative stress (excess free radicals) and sperm DNA damage which impairs normal embryonic development post fertilisation and thus results in abortion," Dada said. Dada said unhealthy social habits like smoking, excess alcohol consumption, fast food calorie dense and nutritionally depleted food, sedentary lifestyle, excessive use of mobile phones, high levels of psychological stress, obesity all contribute to oxidative stress and DNA damage. Sperm DNA integrity is vital for birth of healthy offspring and impacts its lifelong health. "Mature sperm has a very basic and incomplete DNA repair mechanism, thus it is better to follow a policy of prevention is better than cure by following a healthy lifestyle (increased intake of whole unprocessed plant based foods) and minimising exposure or intake of factors causing oxidative stress that compromise genomic integrity," she said. The adoption of yoga has shown to lower OS, reduce DNA fragmentation, and thus improve genomic integrity and normalise sperm transcripts, positively impacting the sperm epigenome. This may aid in normal embryonic development and reduce incidence of genetic and epigenetic defects in the offspring and reduce incidence of spontaneous abortions, she said.

Regular yoga practice can improve sperm DNA quality, reduce recurrent spontaneous abortion: Study

<p>Union Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore had given an open fitness challenge to Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan, cricketer Virat Kohli and shuttler Saina Nehwal on Tuesday.</p>

<p>The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports posted a video on his official Twitter handle and promoted the campaign #HumFitTohIndiaFit.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He shot the video himself being dressed in the formal attire and did ten push-ups without a pause while asking the viewers to share their "fitness mantra."</p>

<p><em>Watch the video here:</em></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HumFitTohIndiaFit?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HumFitTohIndiaFit</a> ???<br />
<br />
Post pictures and videos of how you keep yourself fit and send a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FitnessChallenge?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FitnessChallenge</a> to your friends on social media. Here's my video ?and I challenge <a href="https://twitter.com/iHrithik?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@iHrithik</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/imVkohli?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@imVkohli</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/NSaina?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NSaina</a> to join in? <a href="https://t.co/pYhRY1lNEm">pic.twitter.com/pYhRY1lNEm</a></p>
— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ra_THORe/status/998800601243881472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The Olympian also said that he is inspired by the fitness of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and also influenced by Modi's motto of fit and healthy India.</p>

<p>Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan accepted the challenge and shared his fitness secret. Hrithik&nbsp;advocated the promotion of environment-friendly ways to keep up good health like walking, jogging and cycling.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He posted a video on Twitter with a caption, "This initiative makes me so proud ! Bravo @Ra_THORe #HumFitTohIndiaFit &nbsp;#FitnessChallenge this is how I commute to my office everyday. sitting static in a car is such a waste. Walk, cycle, jog, feel the earth, feel India ?? get FIT!"</p>

<p><em>Watch the video here:</em></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This initiative makes me so proud ! Bravo <a href="https://twitter.com/Ra_THORe?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Ra_THORe</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HumFitTohIndiaFit?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HumFitTohIndiaFit</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FitnessChallenge?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FitnessChallenge</a> this is how I commute to my office everyday. sitting static in a car is such a waste. Walk, cycle, jog, feel the earth, feel India ?? get FIT! <a href="https://t.co/twoI1vna9c">pic.twitter.com/twoI1vna9c</a></p>
— Hrithik Roshan (@iHrithik) <a href="https://twitter.com/iHrithik/status/998959071020617734?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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<p>Earlier this year Rathore also initiated and monitored the launch of the Khelo India School Games that promote sports among students across schools of India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The initiative aims to provide a scholarship of Rs. 5 lakh each year to 1,000 athletes for a period of eight years.</p>

<p>Mr. Rathore, who recently took charge of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, was a former professional shooter and as a shooter, competing in the double trap event, he won a silver medal in the 2004 Olympic Games.</p>


Union Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore has given an open fitness challenge to Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan, cricketer Virat Kohli and shuttler Saina Nehwal

Union Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore had given an open fitness challenge to Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan, cricketer Virat Kohli and shuttler Saina Nehwal on Tuesday. The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports posted a video on his official Twitter handle and promoted the campaign #HumFitTohIndiaFit. He shot the video himself being dressed in the formal attire and did ten push-ups without a pause while asking the viewers to share their "fitness mantra." Watch the video here: #HumFitTohIndiaFit ??? Post pictures and videos of how you keep yourself fit and send a #FitnessChallenge to your friends on social media. Here's my video ?and I challenge @iHrithik, @imVkohli & @NSaina to join in? pic.twitter.com/pYhRY1lNEm — Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) May 22, 2018 × The Olympian also said that he is inspired by the fitness of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and also influenced by Modi's motto of fit and healthy India. Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan accepted the challenge and shared his fitness secret. Hrithik advocated the promotion of environment-friendly ways to keep up good health like walking, jogging and cycling. He posted a video on Twitter with a caption, "This initiative makes me so proud ! Bravo @Ra_THORe #HumFitTohIndiaFit #FitnessChallenge this is how I commute to my office everyday. sitting static in a car is such a waste. Walk, cycle, jog, feel the earth, feel India ?? get FIT!" Watch the video here: This initiative makes me so proud ! Bravo @Ra_THORe #HumFitTohIndiaFit #FitnessChallenge this is how I commute to my office everyday. sitting static in a car is such a waste. Walk, cycle, jog, feel the earth, feel India ?? get FIT! pic.twitter.com/twoI1vna9c — Hrithik Roshan (@iHrithik) May 22, 2018 × Earlier this year Rathore also initiated and monitored the launch of the Khelo India School Games that promote sports among students across schools of India. The initiative aims to provide a scholarship of Rs. 5 lakh each year to 1,000 athletes for a period of eight years. Mr. Rathore, who recently took charge of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, was a former professional shooter and as a shooter, competing in the double trap event, he won a silver medal in the 2004 Olympic Games.

Watch: How Hrithik Roshan responds to Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore's fitness challenge

<p>The Syro-Malabar Church has said that yoga and Catholic faith cannot go together. A report by the doctrinal commission of the Syro-Malabar Church underlined the views expressed by its Synod last year that yoga is not a medium to attain divine experience.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In its report titled “Yoga and Catholic faith”, the commission headed by Bishop Mathew Kallarangat of Pala diocese, said yoga would help physical and mental health but the spiritual means in yoga would not gel with prayers and theological views of Catholic tradition.</p>

<p>The commission was appointed to review the stand taken by the Syro-Malabar Church on yoga practice in view of the alleged communal politics and Hindutva agenda of the Sangh Parivar, the report said.</p>

<p>Last year, the synod of the Bishops of the Syro-Malabar Church, which discussed the role of yoga in their faith, had opined that divine experience could not be attained through a particular posture. “The God in whom we believe is a personal god. God is not someone who can be reached through a particular posture,” a circular signed by the Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church, Cardinal George Alencherry, had said.</p>

<p>In its circular to its priests and laity last year, the church had said that recognising the important place given to yoga in Indian culture, it is to be considered as a physical exercise or postures to concentrate or to meditate. “It is not quite right to think that the experience of God and the personal encounter with the Lord is possible through yoga,” the circular had said.</p>


A doctrinal commission was appointed to review the stand taken by the Syro-Malabar Church on yoga practice in view of the alleged communal politics and Hindutva agenda of the Sangh Parivar, the report said.

The Syro-Malabar Church has said that yoga and Catholic faith cannot go together. A report by the doctrinal commission of the Syro-Malabar Church underlined the views expressed by its Synod last year that yoga is not a medium to attain divine experience. In its report titled “Yoga and Catholic faith”, the commission headed by Bishop Mathew Kallarangat of Pala diocese, said yoga would help physical and mental health but the spiritual means in yoga would not gel with prayers and theological views of Catholic tradition. The commission was appointed to review the stand taken by the Syro-Malabar Church on yoga practice in view of the alleged communal politics and Hindutva agenda of the Sangh Parivar, the report said. Last year, the synod of the Bishops of the Syro-Malabar Church, which discussed the role of yoga in their faith, had opined that divine experience could not be attained through a particular posture. “The God in whom we believe is a personal god. God is not someone who can be reached through a particular posture,” a circular signed by the Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church, Cardinal George Alencherry, had said. In its circular to its priests and laity last year, the church had said that recognising the important place given to yoga in Indian culture, it is to be considered as a physical exercise or postures to concentrate or to meditate. “It is not quite right to think that the experience of God and the personal encounter with the Lord is possible through yoga,” the circular had said.

Yoga, Catholic faith can’t go together: Kerala church report

<p>An Indian yoga instructor has been convicted by a court in Singapore for molesting a woman during class, according to a media report today.</p>

<p>Rakesh Kumar Prasad was sentenced to a nine-month jail term along with a fine of 1,000 Singapore dollar by the court yesterday but granted a bail of 16,000 Singapore dollar pending appeal.</p>

<p>Prasad's lawyer said that he would be appealing against the court decision, the Straits Times reported.</p>

<p>According to the report, Prasad committed the offences against the woman in April 2015 at a yoga studio in Tampines housing estate. The woman was then aged 25.</p>

<p>Following a 12-day trial, which began in 2016, District Judge Luke Tan found Prasad guilty earlier this year on one count each of outraging the woman's modesty and using criminal force on her.</p>

<p>Prasad repeatedly molested her when she was alone, it said.</p>

<p>In his submission, Deputy Public Prosecutor James Chew said, "The victim... Did not leave the class or seek help immediately because she was in a state of shock and disbelief. She felt helpless in that environment and did not know what to do."</p>

<p>"She had felt violated and embarrassed by the accused's actions, and was in disbelief that this could happen to her in a yoga class," the report quoting Chew as saying.</p>

<p>Chew urged Judge Tan to sentence Prasad to at least a year's jail with three strokes of the cane.</p>

<p>He said, "The accused had abused his position as a yoga instructor in repeatedly violating the victim in the midst of the yoga class."</p>

<p>Defence lawyer Steven Lam pleaded for a nine-month jail term and stressed that the touches were "fleeting".</p>

<p>He also told the court that Prasad will be appealing against his conviction. Judge Tan offered him bail of 16,000 Singapore dollar.&nbsp;</p>


Rakesh Kumar Prasad was sentenced to a nine-month jail term along with a fine of 1,000 Singapore dollar by the court yesterday but granted a bail

An Indian yoga instructor has been convicted by a court in Singapore for molesting a woman during class, according to a media report today. Rakesh Kumar Prasad was sentenced to a nine-month jail term along with a fine of 1,000 Singapore dollar by the court yesterday but granted a bail of 16,000 Singapore dollar pending appeal. Prasad's lawyer said that he would be appealing against the court decision, the Straits Times reported. According to the report, Prasad committed the offences against the woman in April 2015 at a yoga studio in Tampines housing estate. The woman was then aged 25. Following a 12-day trial, which began in 2016, District Judge Luke Tan found Prasad guilty earlier this year on one count each of outraging the woman's modesty and using criminal force on her. Prasad repeatedly molested her when she was alone, it said. In his submission, Deputy Public Prosecutor James Chew said, "The victim... Did not leave the class or seek help immediately because she was in a state of shock and disbelief. She felt helpless in that environment and did not know what to do." "She had felt violated and embarrassed by the accused's actions, and was in disbelief that this could happen to her in a yoga class," the report quoting Chew as saying. Chew urged Judge Tan to sentence Prasad to at least a year's jail with three strokes of the cane. He said, "The accused had abused his position as a yoga instructor in repeatedly violating the victim in the midst of the yoga class." Defence lawyer Steven Lam pleaded for a nine-month jail term and stressed that the touches were "fleeting". He also told the court that Prasad will be appealing against his conviction. Judge Tan offered him bail of 16,000 Singapore dollar.

Indian yoga instructor convicted for molesting woman in Singapore

<p>The world knows about Prime Minister Narendra Modi&rsquo;s love for Yoga. He has always been vocal about support for the ancient practice, calling it &ldquo;a symbol of universal aspiration for health and wellbeing&rdquo; and &ldquo;health assurance in zero budget.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi&rsquo;s verified YouTube channel released a 3D animated video of the PM practising a yoga asana. The video was released moments after the PM pitched for a &lsquo;Fit India&rsquo; in his monthly Mann ki Baat address.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>In the video, the PM, in a bright blue T-shirt, can be seen practising the Trikonasana. The name comes from the Sanskrit words trikona meaning &quot;triangle&quot; and asana meaning &quot;posture&quot; or &quot;seat&quot;.</p>

<p><strong>What is Trikonasana?</strong></p>

<p>The world Trikonasana comes from the Sanskrit word Trikon meaning triangle and asana meaning pose. While performing the asana, the person&rsquo;s body resembles a triangle, which explains the name of the pose.</p>

<p><strong>How to perform Trikonasana?</strong></p>

<p>Before performing the asana, it&rsquo;s important that you cleanse your bowels. It should be performed on an empty stomach in the morning. To perform the asana, follow the steps:</p>

<p>1.Stand upright with your legs apart and your arms at your sides.</p>

<p>2.Turn your right foot out by 90 degree and your left foot in by 15 degrees. The heel of your right foot should be aligned with the heel of your left foot.</p>

<p>3.Balance your body weight and ensure both your feet are pressing into the ground.</p>

<p>4.Take a deep breath. And as you breathe out, bend your body down to the right side. Don&rsquo;t bend forward but to your side!</p>

<p>5.As you bend, raise your left hand and lower your right hand to the floor. Both the hands should be in a straight line.</p>

<p>6.Keep your eyes on your raise left hand while your right hand is at your ankles.</p>

<p>7.Relax your body and keep taking deep breaths.</p>

<p>8.As you inhale, bring your arms back to their original position and stand upright again.</p>

<p>9.Repeat with the other side.</p>

<p>In case the instructions were too tough to follow, you can watch and learn from the PM&#39;s 3D doppelganger.</p>


The prime minister's YouTube channel released an animated video of him practising a yoga asana

The world knows about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s love for Yoga. He has always been vocal about support for the ancient practice, calling it “a symbol of universal aspiration for health and wellbeing” and “health assurance in zero budget.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s verified YouTube channel released a 3D animated video of the PM practising a yoga asana. The video was released moments after the PM pitched for a ‘Fit India’ in his monthly Mann ki Baat address. × In the video, the PM, in a bright blue T-shirt, can be seen practising the Trikonasana. The name comes from the Sanskrit words trikona meaning "triangle" and asana meaning "posture" or "seat". What is Trikonasana? The world Trikonasana comes from the Sanskrit word Trikon meaning triangle and asana meaning pose. While performing the asana, the person’s body resembles a triangle, which explains the name of the pose. How to perform Trikonasana? Before performing the asana, it’s important that you cleanse your bowels. It should be performed on an empty stomach in the morning. To perform the asana, follow the steps: 1.Stand upright with your legs apart and your arms at your sides. 2.Turn your right foot out by 90 degree and your left foot in by 15 degrees. The heel of your right foot should be aligned with the heel of your left foot. 3.Balance your body weight and ensure both your feet are pressing into the ground. 4.Take a deep breath. And as you breathe out, bend your body down to the right side. Don’t bend forward but to your side! 5.As you bend, raise your left hand and lower your right hand to the floor. Both the hands should be in a straight line. 6.Keep your eyes on your raise left hand while your right hand is at your ankles. 7.Relax your body and keep taking deep breaths. 8.As you inhale, bring your arms back to their original position and stand upright again. 9.Repeat with the other side. In case the instructions were too tough to follow, you can watch and learn from the PM's 3D doppelganger.

Modi turns yoga teacher, releases animated video

<p>With exquisite desi cuisine on the platter and live yoga sessions on display, the annual Swiss jamboree of the rich and powerful from &quot;a fractured world&quot; will begin tomorrow in Davos where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to pitch India as a growth engine for the global economy.</p>

<p>Over 3,000 world leaders from business, politics, art, academia and civil society will attend the 48th World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting over the next five days in the small ski resort town on snow-covered Alps mountains, where the Indian presence will be the largest ever with over 130 participants.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">For the first time, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Yoga?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Yoga</a> will be performed on the platform of World Economic Forum. Two of our Aacharyas will be leaving for Davos today &amp; will be taking two sessions, one each in the morning &amp; evening: Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev <a href="https://t.co/1BcBA6Gt5T">pic.twitter.com/1BcBA6Gt5T</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/954976592714899456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>WEF Chairman Klaus Schwab will declare the summit open tomorrow evening with a welcome message on the meeting&#39;s theme, &#39;Creating a Shared Future in a Fractured World&#39;.</p>

<p>It will be followed by honouring Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan, Australian actress Cate Blanchett and legendary musician Elton John with the annual &#39;Crystal Awards&#39; for their respective work towards improving the state of the world.</p>

<p>The evening will also see a ballet performance, while India will host the &#39;welcome reception&#39; with the country&#39;s &quot;exquisite cuisine and age-hold Yoga heritage as well as the spirit of a young, innovative New India&quot;.</p>

<p>The official sessions will begin on Tuesday when Modi will deliver the &#39;opening plenary&#39;, during which he is expected to pitch India as an open economy that is ready for investments from across the world and also as a major engine to drive the global economic growth.</p>

<p>Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to attend Davos meeting in about 20 years since H D Deve Gowda in 1997.</p>

<p>During his 24-hour-visit, described by officials as &quot;short but very focused&quot;, Modi will also host a dinner for CEOs from across the world -- 20 of Indian companies and 40 from elsewhere -- on Monday evening and will interact with a large gathering of 120 members of WEF&#39;s international business community on Tuesday.</p>

<p>Besides, he will hold a bilateral meeting with Swiss President Alain Berset, among other pull-asides, as per the government officials.</p>

<p>Modi will be accompanied by six union ministers -- Arun Jaitley, Suresh Prabhu, Piyush Goyal, Dharmendra Pradhan, M J Akbar and Jitendra Singh.</p>

<p>The CEO delegation, led by apex industry body CII, will include Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani, Azim Premji, Rahul Bajaj, N Chandrasekaran, Chanda Kochhar, Uday Kotak and Ajay Singh, among others.</p>

<p>Among global leaders, US President Donald Trump will be there to deliver the closing address, but any meeting with Prime Minister Modi is unlikely as the two would not be in town on the same day.</p>

<p>Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will also be in Davos, but officials in India have said no meeting is planned between him and Modi.</p>

<p>German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Theresa May and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are among the other attendees.</p>

<p>While Trump is expected to talk about his &#39;America First&#39; policy, officials in India said Modi&#39;s central message at this multilateral forum will be about India being an economy that can be an engine of global growth and which wants others to participate in its growth and also wants to contribute to others&#39; development.</p>

<p>A lot of focus is expected on what Trump says and what would be the response of other world leaders, including from Germany, France and the UK.</p>

<p>Ahead of the summit, an annual WEF survey, likely to be discussed in detail during the meeting, showed that the world will see risks related to environment, economy and international relations intensify this year with a majority of stakeholders expecting political or economic confrontations between major powers to worsen.</p>

<p>In a first at the WEF summit, India will also host yoga training sessions for the entire duration of the meeting, while also showcasing Indian heritage and culture in Davos.</p>

<p>On the sidelines of the WEF summit, the Swiss government will also host the annual informal WTO ministerial meeting, which will be attended by Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu and his global counterparts.</p>

<p>According to a Swiss government statement, negotiations on a bilateral investment protection pact and the envisaged free trade agreement between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), of which Switzerland is a member, will figure prominently during Modi&#39;s meeting with Berset.</p>

<p>Modi is expected to encapsulate making of &#39;a new, young and innovative India&#39;, while he is also expected to talk about his experience with &#39;cooperative federalism&#39; in India, while urging the world for a collective crackdown on terrorism, economic imbalances, cyber threats and various societal ills.</p>

<p>According to officials, Modi will also talk about numerous steps they have taken to make it easier to do business in India, check corruption, clamp down on black money, streamline taxation and boost sustainable growth.</p>

<p>Another star speaker will be ex-RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan, who has been praised as well as criticised often for his vocal views on everything from politics to economics and is credited for predicting the global economic crisis of 2008. He will speak on the power of economic narratives and how policymakers can address the challenges of the 21st century.</p>

<p>Bollywood king Shahrukh Khan, for a change, would not be seen serenading heroines with his signature &#39;open-arm&#39; charm on Swiss Alps, but will rather talk about creating a change in India through women empowerment.</p>


Over 3,000 world leaders from business, politics, art, academia and civil society will attend the 48th World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting over the next five days in Alps mountains

With exquisite desi cuisine on the platter and live yoga sessions on display, the annual Swiss jamboree of the rich and powerful from "a fractured world" will begin tomorrow in Davos where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to pitch India as a growth engine for the global economy. Over 3,000 world leaders from business, politics, art, academia and civil society will attend the 48th World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting over the next five days in the small ski resort town on snow-covered Alps mountains, where the Indian presence will be the largest ever with over 130 participants. For the first time, #Yoga will be performed on the platform of World Economic Forum. Two of our Aacharyas will be leaving for Davos today & will be taking two sessions, one each in the morning & evening: Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev pic.twitter.com/1BcBA6Gt5T — ANI (@ANI) January 21, 2018 × WEF Chairman Klaus Schwab will declare the summit open tomorrow evening with a welcome message on the meeting's theme, 'Creating a Shared Future in a Fractured World'. It will be followed by honouring Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan, Australian actress Cate Blanchett and legendary musician Elton John with the annual 'Crystal Awards' for their respective work towards improving the state of the world. The evening will also see a ballet performance, while India will host the 'welcome reception' with the country's "exquisite cuisine and age-hold Yoga heritage as well as the spirit of a young, innovative New India". The official sessions will begin on Tuesday when Modi will deliver the 'opening plenary', during which he is expected to pitch India as an open economy that is ready for investments from across the world and also as a major engine to drive the global economic growth. Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to attend Davos meeting in about 20 years since H D Deve Gowda in 1997. During his 24-hour-visit, described by officials as "short but very focused", Modi will also host a dinner for CEOs from across the world -- 20 of Indian companies and 40 from elsewhere -- on Monday evening and will interact with a large gathering of 120 members of WEF's international business community on Tuesday. Besides, he will hold a bilateral meeting with Swiss President Alain Berset, among other pull-asides, as per the government officials. Modi will be accompanied by six union ministers -- Arun Jaitley, Suresh Prabhu, Piyush Goyal, Dharmendra Pradhan, M J Akbar and Jitendra Singh. The CEO delegation, led by apex industry body CII, will include Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani, Azim Premji, Rahul Bajaj, N Chandrasekaran, Chanda Kochhar, Uday Kotak and Ajay Singh, among others. Among global leaders, US President Donald Trump will be there to deliver the closing address, but any meeting with Prime Minister Modi is unlikely as the two would not be in town on the same day. Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will also be in Davos, but officials in India have said no meeting is planned between him and Modi. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Theresa May and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are among the other attendees. While Trump is expected to talk about his 'America First' policy, officials in India said Modi's central message at this multilateral forum will be about India being an economy that can be an engine of global growth and which wants others to participate in its growth and also wants to contribute to others' development. A lot of focus is expected on what Trump says and what would be the response of other world leaders, including from Germany, France and the UK. Ahead of the summit, an annual WEF survey, likely to be discussed in detail during the meeting, showed that the world will see risks related to environment, economy and international relations intensify this year with a majority of stakeholders expecting political or economic confrontations between major powers to worsen. In a first at the WEF summit, India will also host yoga training sessions for the entire duration of the meeting, while also showcasing Indian heritage and culture in Davos. On the sidelines of the WEF summit, the Swiss government will also host the annual informal WTO ministerial meeting, which will be attended by Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu and his global counterparts. According to a Swiss government statement, negotiations on a bilateral investment protection pact and the envisaged free trade agreement between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), of which Switzerland is a member, will figure prominently during Modi's meeting with Berset. Modi is expected to encapsulate making of 'a new, young and innovative India', while he is also expected to talk about his experience with 'cooperative federalism' in India, while urging the world for a collective crackdown on terrorism, economic imbalances, cyber threats and various societal ills. According to officials, Modi will also talk about numerous steps they have taken to make it easier to do business in India, check corruption, clamp down on black money, streamline taxation and boost sustainable growth. Another star speaker will be ex-RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan, who has been praised as well as criticised often for his vocal views on everything from politics to economics and is credited for predicting the global economic crisis of 2008. He will speak on the power of economic narratives and how policymakers can address the challenges of the 21st century. Bollywood king Shahrukh Khan, for a change, would not be seen serenading heroines with his signature 'open-arm' charm on Swiss Alps, but will rather talk about creating a change in India through women empowerment.

World Economic Forum: With desi food, yoga India gears up for Modi Mantra at Davos

<p>A church council in Nagaland has directed its followers against the age-old practice of yoga.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the 67th general meeting of the Chakhesang Baptist Church Council (CBCC) Christian believers were urged to refrain from practising yoga.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The authorities were directed not to impose yoga practices on Naga students to &quot;uphold the religious freedom envisaged in the Constitution,&quot; the official release noted.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Yoga is a spiritual and physical discipline deeply rooted in the religious beliefs and practices of Hinduism and hence it is not compatible with Christianity,&quot; read the letter.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Church in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Nagaland?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Nagaland</a> asks not to do Yoga. <a href="https://t.co/OLHXA33FaP">pic.twitter.com/OLHXA33FaP</a></p>
&mdash; Friends of RSS (@RSS_Org) <a href="https://twitter.com/RSS_Org/status/946005807031664640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The council met between January 19 and 20 and ran &#39;Knitted together in Christ&#39; as a theme.</p>

<p>A total of 514 delegates from various CBCC churches participated.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The CBCC release urged its believers to uphold the Biblical sanctions of Christian marriage and fight against all ideologies exploitative and detrimental to Christian faith.</p>


The authority was directed not to impose yoga practices on Naga students

A church council in Nagaland has directed its followers against the age-old practice of yoga. In the 67th general meeting of the Chakhesang Baptist Church Council (CBCC) Christian believers were urged to refrain from practising yoga. The authorities were directed not to impose yoga practices on Naga students to "uphold the religious freedom envisaged in the Constitution," the official release noted. "Yoga is a spiritual and physical discipline deeply rooted in the religious beliefs and practices of Hinduism and hence it is not compatible with Christianity," read the letter. Church in #Nagaland asks not to do Yoga. pic.twitter.com/OLHXA33FaP — Friends of RSS (@RSS_Org) December 27, 2017 × The council met between January 19 and 20 and ran 'Knitted together in Christ' as a theme. A total of 514 delegates from various CBCC churches participated. The CBCC release urged its believers to uphold the Biblical sanctions of Christian marriage and fight against all ideologies exploitative and detrimental to Christian faith.

Nagaland church council tells followers 'yoga not compatible with Christianity'

<p>A US-based&nbsp;MD Anderson&nbsp;cancer centre has pulled out its name out of an event to be held in IIT Madras after Baba Ramdev was named as the chief guest in the event.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The event is scheduled to be held in Chennai on February 4 and is based on Cancer prevention and treatment.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The theme of the event is &quot;Cancer prevention and treatment: from Ancient Medicine to Modern Medicine&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>MD Anderson cancer centre which is based at the University of Texas&nbsp;took to Twitter to disclose its back out from the event.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It tweeted &quot;In the past, MD Anderson has sponsored this conference through its Global Academic Program. But this year, we&rsquo;re not a sponsor. Our name and logo are being used without permission, and we&rsquo;ve requested they be removed from promotional materials.&rdquo;</p>

<p>In the past, the Yog Guru had made several controversial and unscientific statements.</p>

<p>He said that Yoga and medicines from his Patanjali had the power to cure Cancer and AIDS.</p>

<p>Despite the fact that till date, no comprehensive cure has been found for the two deadly diseases.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also supported Himant Biswa&#39;s comment&nbsp;on cancer patients wherein the Assam Health Minister had called cancer sufferings as sins of their past.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The event is scheduled to be held in Chennai on February 4 and is based on cancer prevention and treatment

A US-based MD Anderson cancer centre has pulled out its name out of an event to be held in IIT Madras after Baba Ramdev was named as the chief guest in the event. The event is scheduled to be held in Chennai on February 4 and is based on Cancer prevention and treatment. The theme of the event is "Cancer prevention and treatment: from Ancient Medicine to Modern Medicine". MD Anderson cancer centre which is based at the University of Texas took to Twitter to disclose its back out from the event. It tweeted "In the past, MD Anderson has sponsored this conference through its Global Academic Program. But this year, we’re not a sponsor. Our name and logo are being used without permission, and we’ve requested they be removed from promotional materials.” In the past, the Yog Guru had made several controversial and unscientific statements. He said that Yoga and medicines from his Patanjali had the power to cure Cancer and AIDS. Despite the fact that till date, no comprehensive cure has been found for the two deadly diseases. He also supported Himant Biswa's comment on cancer patients wherein the Assam Health Minister had called cancer sufferings as sins of their past.

US cancer centre backs out of event after Ramdev is named chief guest

<p>Israeli&nbsp;Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a yoga class Monday.</p>

<p>&quot;My friend Narendra, if anytime you want to do a yoga class with me, it is a big stretch, but I will be there,&quot; Netanyahu said.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> &quot;My friend Narendra if anytime you want to do a Yoga class with me,it is a big stretch but I will be there&quot;: PM <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BenjaminNetanyahu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BenjaminNetanyahu</a> to PM Modi <a href="https://t.co/RUjVtNFckf">pic.twitter.com/RUjVtNFckf</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/952826071375757314?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The comment was&nbsp;of course&nbsp;made lightheartedly -- at a joint press statement by the two prime ministers -- but goes a long way towards showing how well the two leaders get along.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is also not certain whether Netanyahu actually does yoga.</p>

<p>Modi on the other hand is known to be a practitioner. He has also led yoga demonstrations in Delhi on World Yoga Day.</p>

<p>Netanyahu also called Narendra Modi a revolutionary leader and praised Modi&#39;s visit to Israel last year, calling it &quot;groundbreaking&nbsp;as it was the first time an Indian leader visited Israel.&quot;</p>

<p>India and Israel signed nine agreements on Monday including film cooperation, homoeopathy and alternative medicine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Netanyahu arrived in India on Sunday on a six-day visit. He is scheduled to meet President Ram Nath Kovind later today.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/one-un-vote-will-not-affect-ties-netanyahu-on-jerusalem-29519">Also read: One negative UN vote will not affect ties with India: Netanyahu on Jerusalem</a></p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jews-in-india-never-witnessed-antisemitism-like-in-some-other-countries-netanyahu-29578">Jews in India never witnessed antisemitism like in some other countries: Netanyahu</a></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


'My friend Narendra, if anytime you want to do a yoga class with me, it is a big stretch, but I will be there,' Netanyahu said

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a yoga class Monday. "My friend Narendra, if anytime you want to do a yoga class with me, it is a big stretch, but I will be there," Netanyahu said. #WATCH "My friend Narendra if anytime you want to do a Yoga class with me,it is a big stretch but I will be there": PM #BenjaminNetanyahu to PM Modi pic.twitter.com/RUjVtNFckf — ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2018 × The comment was of course made lightheartedly -- at a joint press statement by the two prime ministers -- but goes a long way towards showing how well the two leaders get along. It is also not certain whether Netanyahu actually does yoga. Modi on the other hand is known to be a practitioner. He has also led yoga demonstrations in Delhi on World Yoga Day. Netanyahu also called Narendra Modi a revolutionary leader and praised Modi's visit to Israel last year, calling it "groundbreaking as it was the first time an Indian leader visited Israel." India and Israel signed nine agreements on Monday including film cooperation, homoeopathy and alternative medicine. Netanyahu arrived in India on Sunday on a six-day visit. He is scheduled to meet President Ram Nath Kovind later today. Also read: One negative UN vote will not affect ties with India: Netanyahu on Jerusalem Also read: Jews in India never witnessed antisemitism like in some other countries: Netanyahu

Israeli PM Netanyahu invites Modi to yoga class

<p>Nouf Marwaai is the first certified yoga practioner and Ayurvedic expert in Saudi Arabia. She led a long campaign to make yoga acceptable in her country. Today Saudi Arabia recognises yoga under the category of sports. She spoke exclusively to WION&rsquo;s Political Editor Kartikeya Sharma. She said that Modi has made a difference to the way yoga is perceived in the world and today cities like Mecca, Medina and Riyadh have Yoga centres. She says that Yoga changed her life.</p>

<p>&nbsp;<br />
<strong>Q:</strong> &nbsp;<strong>How tough was your journey? To come up with the idea of yoga, go abroad and come back and teach Yoga in Saudi Arabia?</strong><br />
<strong>A:</strong> The journey wasn&rsquo;t easy. Convincing a society about having a different concept of yoga was tough but Saudi citizens are open to a healthy lifestyle. I had to explain them the health benefits of yoga.</p>

<p><strong>Q:</strong> <strong>How did you reach the idea of learning yoga?</strong><br />
<strong>A:</strong> I was born with auto immune disease and suffered a lot. I was unable to lead a normal lifestyle. I was told about yoga by a person who was exposed to it. Then I started reading about it and got hooked to the idea.</p>

<p><strong>Q: Then where did you go?</strong><br />
<strong>A: </strong>First I went to Australia where I was also completed my studies. Then I went to India as Australia did not have Ayurvedic centres. My illness had started to attack my kidneys. I went to Kerala and met with Ayurvedic doctors. It was then I started to improve and since then I had stuck to yoga.</p>

<p><strong>Q: What all did you learn in India?</strong><br />
<strong>A:</strong> I went to Kerala and studied Ayurveda. Then I went to Delhi and also Himalayas. I went to several places to study the practice of yoga.</p>

<p><strong>Q: Did your family have any apprehensions?</strong><br />
<strong>A:</strong> My family had apprehensions bit I didn&rsquo;t listen. My health was improving and it was much better than being on chemotherapy. I did face difficulties. My parents were supportive but other relatives were very critical and felt that I was destroying my career. Later they came to my clinic for consultations and training.</p>

<p><strong>Q: Are you aware of the fact that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a great promoter of Yoga?</strong><br />
<strong>A: </strong>Yes. His initiative in the last two years has created a huge campaign for awareness as Indian Missions are celebrating the Yoga Day. In Jeddah, we have received huge support from the Indian Mission. This is the reason why yoga is getting more and more popular across the world.</p>

<p><strong>Q: What was the response you received when you came back to Saudi Arabia?</strong><br />
<strong>A:</strong> Saudis didn&#39;t know anything about yoga. They thought it was a Buddhist practice like meditation. But things changed. I&rsquo;m in the media and I&rsquo;m also a trained clinical psychologist by profession. So, I could reach out to lot of people. Earlier they would just ask and leave. Saudi society is not an open society. To try a new thing is not easy. I had to conduct lot of awareness campaigns through TV shows.</p>

<p><strong>Q: What were the questions that were </strong><strong>asked from</strong><strong> you? In </strong><strong>India</strong><strong> </strong><strong>too</strong><strong> lot of debate took place in the past whether Yoga is associated with religion or not?</strong><br />
<strong>A:</strong> Same questions were put up to me. I explained the positive changes which Yoga makes to your body. I explained them the mental and physical benefits of Yoga. It was very important to explain it scientifically. In Jeddah, today there are more than 8000 yoga followers.</p>

<p><strong>Q: You are the first certified Yoga teacher in Saudi Arabia. Is interest same for both genders when it comes to Yoga?</strong><br />
<strong>A:</strong> It was more popular with women and later men caught up. Yoga has worked for both.</p>

<p><strong>Q: Is the debate on Yoga and religion alive in Saudi Arabia?</strong><br />
<strong>A:</strong> Honestly, I didn&rsquo;t hear it. But different Asian nationalities living in Saudi Arabia talk about it. Arabs and Saudis don&rsquo;t speak about it.</p>

<p><strong>Q: Where all </strong><strong>has</strong><strong> Yoga expanded in Saudi Arabia?</strong><br />
<strong>A:</strong> Yoga is being practiced through Saudi Arabia. Cities like Mecca, Riyadh, Medina and Jeddah have yoga centres and yoga teachers. There is a demand for yoga in Saudi Arabia as people know that yoga makes you healthy.</p>

<p><strong>Q: How did Yoga change your life?</strong><br />
<strong>A:</strong> It helped me at physical and psychological level. My joints had lot of problems. I could only do Yoga as a sport activity. Because of my sickness I had to stay away from school also. It impacted me and caused lot of stress. It affected my health too. When I started practicing Yoga, I was able to join each and every class in the university. I passed with great marks because I could manage myself because of Yoga. I teach 40 new people every month and teaching people with different mentalities take lot of tolerance.</p>

<p><strong>Q: Is it because Saudi society is slowly opening up?</strong><br />
<strong>A:</strong> Yes, that&rsquo;s true. &nbsp;It is because of the new leadership everything is changing and has motivated lot of people.</p>

<p><strong>Q: Has your family picked Yoga from you?</strong><br />
<strong>A</strong>: My sister has learnt yoga from me.</p>


Nouf Marwaai led a long campaign to make yoga acceptable in her country. Today Saudi Arabia recognises yoga under the category of sports. She spoke exclusively to WION?s Political Editor Kartikeya Sharma

Nouf Marwaai is the first certified yoga practioner and Ayurvedic expert in Saudi Arabia. She led a long campaign to make yoga acceptable in her country. Today Saudi Arabia recognises yoga under the category of sports. She spoke exclusively to WION’s Political Editor Kartikeya Sharma. She said that Modi has made a difference to the way yoga is perceived in the world and today cities like Mecca, Medina and Riyadh have Yoga centres. She says that Yoga changed her life. Q: How tough was your journey? To come up with the idea of yoga, go abroad and come back and teach Yoga in Saudi Arabia? A: The journey wasn’t easy. Convincing a society about having a different concept of yoga was tough but Saudi citizens are open to a healthy lifestyle. I had to explain them the health benefits of yoga. Q: How did you reach the idea of learning yoga? A: I was born with auto immune disease and suffered a lot. I was unable to lead a normal lifestyle. I was told about yoga by a person who was exposed to it. Then I started reading about it and got hooked to the idea. Q: Then where did you go? A: First I went to Australia where I was also completed my studies. Then I went to India as Australia did not have Ayurvedic centres. My illness had started to attack my kidneys. I went to Kerala and met with Ayurvedic doctors. It was then I started to improve and since then I had stuck to yoga. Q: What all did you learn in India? A: I went to Kerala and studied Ayurveda. Then I went to Delhi and also Himalayas. I went to several places to study the practice of yoga. Q: Did your family have any apprehensions? A: My family had apprehensions bit I didn’t listen. My health was improving and it was much better than being on chemotherapy. I did face difficulties. My parents were supportive but other relatives were very critical and felt that I was destroying my career. Later they came to my clinic for consultations and training. Q: Are you aware of the fact that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a great promoter of Yoga? A: Yes. His initiative in the last two years has created a huge campaign for awareness as Indian Missions are celebrating the Yoga Day. In Jeddah, we have received huge support from the Indian Mission. This is the reason why yoga is getting more and more popular across the world. Q: What was the response you received when you came back to Saudi Arabia? A: Saudis didn't know anything about yoga. They thought it was a Buddhist practice like meditation. But things changed. I’m in the media and I’m also a trained clinical psychologist by profession. So, I could reach out to lot of people. Earlier they would just ask and leave. Saudi society is not an open society. To try a new thing is not easy. I had to conduct lot of awareness campaigns through TV shows. Q: What were the questions that were asked from you? In India too lot of debate took place in the past whether Yoga is associated with religion or not? A: Same questions were put up to me. I explained the positive changes which Yoga makes to your body. I explained them the mental and physical benefits of Yoga. It was very important to explain it scientifically. In Jeddah, today there are more than 8000 yoga followers. Q: You are the first certified Yoga teacher in Saudi Arabia. Is interest same for both genders when it comes to Yoga? A: It was more popular with women and later men caught up. Yoga has worked for both. Q: Is the debate on Yoga and religion alive in Saudi Arabia? A: Honestly, I didn’t hear it. But different Asian nationalities living in Saudi Arabia talk about it. Arabs and Saudis don’t speak about it. Q: Where all has Yoga expanded in Saudi Arabia? A: Yoga is being practiced through Saudi Arabia. Cities like Mecca, Riyadh, Medina and Jeddah have yoga centres and yoga teachers. There is a demand for yoga in Saudi Arabia as people know that yoga makes you healthy. Q: How did Yoga change your life? A: It helped me at physical and psychological level. My joints had lot of problems. I could only do Yoga as a sport activity. Because of my sickness I had to stay away from school also. It impacted me and caused lot of stress. It affected my health too. When I started practicing Yoga, I was able to join each and every class in the university. I passed with great marks because I could manage myself because of Yoga. I teach 40 new people every month and teaching people with different mentalities take lot of tolerance. Q: Is it because Saudi society is slowly opening up? A: Yes, that’s true. It is because of the new leadership everything is changing and has motivated lot of people. Q: Has your family picked Yoga from you? A: My sister has learnt yoga from me.

Was unable to lead normal life till yoga, first certified Saudi teacher tells WION

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address IAS probationers at Mussoorie&#39;s prestigious Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) and give them tips on effective administration tomorrow, officials said.</p>

<p>On the second day of his Uttarakhand visit, Modi will also take part in a yoga session with the probationers and Kendriya Vidyalaya students at the academy, they said.</p>

<p>The prime minister arrived&nbsp;today at Dehradoon to leave for Mussoorie, where he is slated to attend a slew of programmes at the LBSNAA before returning to Delhi in the afternoon tomorrow.</p>

<p>Modi was accorded a warm welcome by Governor K K Paul, Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and senior BJP leaders after he landed at the Jollygrant airport in an Indian Air Force&nbsp;plane.</p>

<p>About ten minutes later, he was in a chopper on way to Mussoorie&#39;s Polo Ground helipad, officials said.</p>

<p>At the Academy in Mussoorie, Modi is expected to garland a statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and then participate in a tree plantation programme, they said.</p>

<p>This is Modi&#39;s second visit to the hill state in less than seven days.</p>

<p>The prime minister, who was in the state on October 20, ahead of the Kedarnath shrine&#39;s closure for the next six months, will address IAS trainees at the Academy and attend cultural programmes organised by them.</p>

<p>He will spend the night at the Kalindi guest house on the Academy campus.</p>

<p>Modi is scheduled to do yoga along with IAS trainees and students of the Kendriya Vidyalaya at the Academy tomorrow besides addressing probationers and giving them tips on effective administration, the officials said.</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address IAS probationers at Mussoorie's prestigious Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) and give them tips on effective administration tomorrow.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address IAS probationers at Mussoorie's prestigious Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) and give them tips on effective administration tomorrow, officials said. On the second day of his Uttarakhand visit, Modi will also take part in a yoga session with the probationers and Kendriya Vidyalaya students at the academy, they said. The prime minister arrived today at Dehradoon to leave for Mussoorie, where he is slated to attend a slew of programmes at the LBSNAA before returning to Delhi in the afternoon tomorrow. Modi was accorded a warm welcome by Governor K K Paul, Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and senior BJP leaders after he landed at the Jollygrant airport in an Indian Air Force plane. About ten minutes later, he was in a chopper on way to Mussoorie's Polo Ground helipad, officials said. At the Academy in Mussoorie, Modi is expected to garland a statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and then participate in a tree plantation programme, they said. This is Modi's second visit to the hill state in less than seven days. The prime minister, who was in the state on October 20, ahead of the Kedarnath shrine's closure for the next six months, will address IAS trainees at the Academy and attend cultural programmes organised by them. He will spend the night at the Kalindi guest house on the Academy campus. Modi is scheduled to do yoga along with IAS trainees and students of the Kendriya Vidyalaya at the Academy tomorrow besides addressing probationers and giving them tips on effective administration, the officials said.

Modi to address IAS probationers, practice Yoga with them tomorrow

<p>Are you in India today?<br />
&nbsp;<br />
If you happened to be out on the streets in the morning hours, chances were that you would have walked right into a collective gathering of people performing yoga asanas as part of celebrations of the third UN International Yoga Day today.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
While almost all cities had organised yoga sessions in public areas, Lucknow, the capital city of India&rsquo;s largest state Uttar Pradesh witnessed a massive gathering of 51,000 people and more to celebrate the day.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
And this time there weren&rsquo;t just Hindus, but Muslims too.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Apart from individual participants ranging from different professional backgrounds and students from largely Muslim schools and colleges in Uttar Pradesh, Muslim Rashtriya Manch of UP took up an active role at the event.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Speaking on the occasion, Mahiraj Dhwaj Singh, national co-convenor (organisation) of Muslim Rashtriya Manch for UP and Uttarakhand said, &ldquo;More than 1,000 Muslims had contacted us about participating in the International Yoga Day celebrations, but at least 300 have confirmed their participation. Most of the participants will be observing roza, while performing yoga. In fact, most of them are likely to arrive at the programme venue after Sehri (pre-dawn meal).&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<h5>More than 1,000 Muslims had contacted us about participating in the International Yoga Day celebrations, but at least 300 have confirmed their participation. Most of the participants will be observing roza, while performing yoga.</h5>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>This narrative, however, breaks from the usually accepted discourse of yoga belonging to Hinduism. The ancient Indian tradition known for bringing harmony between man and nature and instilling a great form of restraint and fulfilment is now seeking supporters within religious minority factions too. Shripad Naik, Minister of State, (independent charge) Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) believes that yoga has the ability to change our perspectives of life. He said, &ldquo;It brings through a renewed sense of health&nbsp;and wellbeing among other health benefits.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Syed Yaser Ali Jeelani, national spokesperson, in charge and convener of Muslim Rashtriya Manch Delhi Pradesh also emphasised on how as a Muslim there is nothing wrong with calling yoga our own and that it is for our benefit to claim yoga and grow with it. He said, &ldquo;Only fanatics and religiously intolerant people have a problem with yoga. Yoga is Indian and we as Indians must embrace it. There is no mention of its being wrong for us Muslims to follow it. As a Muslim, yoga is equal to namaz and I would follow yoga with equal fervour as Sanatan Dharam would follow the essence of Hindustani culture.&rdquo;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
It must be brought to context here that it&rsquo;s the holy month of Ramadan and that Muslims are fasting through the day since the hour of dawn till sunset, going without food or water for 30 days straight. Ramadan started on May 28 and it has been 24 days since the Indian Muslims have been observing fast today.&nbsp;</p>

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<h5>Only fanatics and religiously intolerant people have a problem with yoga. Yoga is Indian and we as Indians must embrace it.</h5>
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<p>&nbsp;It&rsquo;s pertinent to mention Ramadan in lieu of Muslims participating at the event, as it throws light on the dedication and eagerness to perform yoga that drove the fasting Muslims to continue practising in the scorching heat.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Kaushal Raj from the organising committee of the International Yoga Day celebrations in Lucknow said, &ldquo;We started training from May 9 as they (participants) &nbsp;had to be trained in different asanas according to the Common Yoga Protocol. It was a prerequisite to being a part of the event. The event was to be performed in the presence of PM Modi, CM Yogi, AYUSH minister, Police, Patanjali, Army and other important people.&rdquo;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Trained according to the Protocol in 25 different asanas for the celebrations, those participating were motivated by a singular sentiment of adopting yoga in their daily lives as an intrinsically Indian cultural symbol, love for which stems from avid nationalism.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
In a build up to the mass congregation today, organisations such as Muslim Rashtriya Manch, Shriram Mandir Nirman Muslim Karsevak Manch, and others who describe themselves as &ldquo;secular Muslim organisations&rdquo; have gone all out in the support of yoga, which has an Indian identity rather than a religious one.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Azam Khan, the national president of Shriram Mandir Nirman Muslim Karsevak Manch, was fasting while being present for the event. Before it started he said, &ldquo;I will be participating in the third International Yoga Day celebrations and performing various yoga asanas (postures).&rdquo; He had requested for a separate section for the rozedaars (those fasting) on the venue with provisions of a shade as they would not be able to have water even after physical excursions for the entire day till sunset.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
With more number of Muslims associating themselves with the practice of yoga, it is important to note how the physical art has found its new haven within political circles. Every political party wants to claim yoga and promote it to gain political numbers.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Yoga has become the new &lsquo;magic&rsquo; factor in crunching numbers--in appeasing all factions of the society. Vote bank politics has a new competition in the garb of yoga diplomacy.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
When Mohsin Raza, minister of state for Muslim Waqf and Haj, was contacted, he said, &ldquo;I will also participate and perform yoga while observing roza. Both yoga and roza are good for one&rsquo;s health.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<h5>Yoga does not have a religious identity, it is not Hindu or Muslim, it is Indian and we as Indians owe it to the land of Sanatan Dharam to respect the sentiments of the land.</h5>
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<p>Yaser Ali Jeelani adds, &ldquo;Yoga is a part of our Hindustani routine. It is the coming together of kriya, vilom, discipline, love. It does not have a religious identity. It is not Hindu or Muslim, it is Indian and we as Indians owe it to the land of Sanatan Dharam to respect the sentiments of the land.&rdquo;&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
What works in favour of yoga is its universal nature without any religious, identity or ideological barrier, as claimed by all secular organisations who worked to make Yoga Day celebration a success.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Yoga is easy to do, fun to watch, and offers an easily propagated discourse. The fact that roza and yoga are being spoken in the same length and is being accepted by some factions of the minority community, is a battle half won.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
The sentiment was first fanned when Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi made comparisons between namaz (Muslim way of prayer) and Surya Namaskar (a prominent asana of yoga). He had said, &ldquo;All asanas (postures) in Surya Namaskar, Pranayama activities are similar to the way namaz is done by our Muslim brothers, but nobody has ever tried to bring them together because few people are interested only in &lsquo;bhoga&rsquo;, not yoga.&rdquo;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
He went on to say that &ldquo;up until 2014, even talking about yoga was considered communal but things changed after PM Modi took steps to make yoga popular across the world&rdquo;.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Government ministries are now working overtime to market yoga as a religion-neutral exercise and ensure maximum participation nationwide. To put things in perspective, the Union AYUSH Ministry released a book called &quot;Yoga and Islam&quot;, on its universal appeal and acceptance. To appease the Muslims, the Ministry also decided to drop the words Om and Surya Namaskar.</p>

<p>He said, &ldquo;Denouncing the celebration on the ground of opposing certain hymns or celebrating it on Sunday only echo our fractured mindset and all the more highlight the need for a yogic life. Even Surya Namaskar is not a form of worship but well known as a capsule form of yoga which anyone can practise in a short span of time. If leading a healthy life is a human right, then it should be available to all human beings, irrespective of religion.&rdquo;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
But this does not go down well with everyone. Some elements in RSS feel that these compromises make yoga lose its essence and that Muslims cannot have a way out of it if they claim to be Indian, in every sense of the word.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
(WION)&nbsp;</p>


"Yoga is Indian and we as Indians must embrace it. There is no mention of its being wrong for us Muslims to follow it", says national spokesperson of Muslim Rashtriya Manch

Are you in India today? If you happened to be out on the streets in the morning hours, chances were that you would have walked right into a collective gathering of people performing yoga asanas as part of celebrations of the third UN International Yoga Day today. While almost all cities had organised yoga sessions in public areas, Lucknow, the capital city of India’s largest state Uttar Pradesh witnessed a massive gathering of 51,000 people and more to celebrate the day. And this time there weren’t just Hindus, but Muslims too. Apart from individual participants ranging from different professional backgrounds and students from largely Muslim schools and colleges in Uttar Pradesh, Muslim Rashtriya Manch of UP took up an active role at the event. Speaking on the occasion, Mahiraj Dhwaj Singh, national co-convenor (organisation) of Muslim Rashtriya Manch for UP and Uttarakhand said, “More than 1,000 Muslims had contacted us about participating in the International Yoga Day celebrations, but at least 300 have confirmed their participation. Most of the participants will be observing roza, while performing yoga. In fact, most of them are likely to arrive at the programme venue after Sehri (pre-dawn meal).” More than 1,000 Muslims had contacted us about participating in the International Yoga Day celebrations, but at least 300 have confirmed their participation. Most of the participants will be observing roza, while performing yoga. × This narrative, however, breaks from the usually accepted discourse of yoga belonging to Hinduism. The ancient Indian tradition known for bringing harmony between man and nature and instilling a great form of restraint and fulfilment is now seeking supporters within religious minority factions too. Shripad Naik, Minister of State, (independent charge) Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) believes that yoga has the ability to change our perspectives of life. He said, “It brings through a renewed sense of health and wellbeing among other health benefits.” Syed Yaser Ali Jeelani, national spokesperson, in charge and convener of Muslim Rashtriya Manch Delhi Pradesh also emphasised on how as a Muslim there is nothing wrong with calling yoga our own and that it is for our benefit to claim yoga and grow with it. He said, “Only fanatics and religiously intolerant people have a problem with yoga. Yoga is Indian and we as Indians must embrace it. There is no mention of its being wrong for us Muslims to follow it. As a Muslim, yoga is equal to namaz and I would follow yoga with equal fervour as Sanatan Dharam would follow the essence of Hindustani culture.” It must be brought to context here that it’s the holy month of Ramadan and that Muslims are fasting through the day since the hour of dawn till sunset, going without food or water for 30 days straight. Ramadan started on May 28 and it has been 24 days since the Indian Muslims have been observing fast today. Only fanatics and religiously intolerant people have a problem with yoga. Yoga is Indian and we as Indians must embrace it. × It’s pertinent to mention Ramadan in lieu of Muslims participating at the event, as it throws light on the dedication and eagerness to perform yoga that drove the fasting Muslims to continue practising in the scorching heat. Kaushal Raj from the organising committee of the International Yoga Day celebrations in Lucknow said, “We started training from May 9 as they (participants) had to be trained in different asanas according to the Common Yoga Protocol. It was a prerequisite to being a part of the event. The event was to be performed in the presence of PM Modi, CM Yogi, AYUSH minister, Police, Patanjali, Army and other important people.” Trained according to the Protocol in 25 different asanas for the celebrations, those participating were motivated by a singular sentiment of adopting yoga in their daily lives as an intrinsically Indian cultural symbol, love for which stems from avid nationalism. In a build up to the mass congregation today, organisations such as Muslim Rashtriya Manch, Shriram Mandir Nirman Muslim Karsevak Manch, and others who describe themselves as “secular Muslim organisations” have gone all out in the support of yoga, which has an Indian identity rather than a religious one. Azam Khan, the national president of Shriram Mandir Nirman Muslim Karsevak Manch, was fasting while being present for the event. Before it started he said, “I will be participating in the third International Yoga Day celebrations and performing various yoga asanas (postures).” He had requested for a separate section for the rozedaars (those fasting) on the venue with provisions of a shade as they would not be able to have water even after physical excursions for the entire day till sunset. With more number of Muslims associating themselves with the practice of yoga, it is important to note how the physical art has found its new haven within political circles. Every political party wants to claim yoga and promote it to gain political numbers. Yoga has become the new ‘magic’ factor in crunching numbers--in appeasing all factions of the society. Vote bank politics has a new competition in the garb of yoga diplomacy. When Mohsin Raza, minister of state for Muslim Waqf and Haj, was contacted, he said, “I will also participate and perform yoga while observing roza. Both yoga and roza are good for one’s health.” Yoga does not have a religious identity, it is not Hindu or Muslim, it is Indian and we as Indians owe it to the land of Sanatan Dharam to respect the sentiments of the land. × Yaser Ali Jeelani adds, “Yoga is a part of our Hindustani routine. It is the coming together of kriya, vilom, discipline, love. It does not have a religious identity. It is not Hindu or Muslim, it is Indian and we as Indians owe it to the land of Sanatan Dharam to respect the sentiments of the land.” What works in favour of yoga is its universal nature without any religious, identity or ideological barrier, as claimed by all secular organisations who worked to make Yoga Day celebration a success. Yoga is easy to do, fun to watch, and offers an easily propagated discourse. The fact that roza and yoga are being spoken in the same length and is being accepted by some factions of the minority community, is a battle half won. The sentiment was first fanned when Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi made comparisons between namaz (Muslim way of prayer) and Surya Namaskar (a prominent asana of yoga). He had said, “All asanas (postures) in Surya Namaskar, Pranayama activities are similar to the way namaz is done by our Muslim brothers, but nobody has ever tried to bring them together because few people are interested only in ‘bhoga’, not yoga.” He went on to say that “up until 2014, even talking about yoga was considered communal but things changed after PM Modi took steps to make yoga popular across the world”. Government ministries are now working overtime to market yoga as a religion-neutral exercise and ensure maximum participation nationwide. To put things in perspective, the Union AYUSH Ministry released a book called "Yoga and Islam", on its universal appeal and acceptance. To appease the Muslims, the Ministry also decided to drop the words Om and Surya Namaskar. He said, “Denouncing the celebration on the ground of opposing certain hymns or celebrating it on Sunday only echo our fractured mindset and all the more highlight the need for a yogic life. Even Surya Namaskar is not a form of worship but well known as a capsule form of yoga which anyone can practise in a short span of time. If leading a healthy life is a human right, then it should be available to all human beings, irrespective of religion.” But this does not go down well with everyone. Some elements in RSS feel that these compromises make yoga lose its essence and that Muslims cannot have a way out of it if they claim to be Indian, in every sense of the word. (WION)

Secular Muslims celebrate International Yoga Day

<p>Yoga is back, and it is considered cool. The whole world, particularly, the West embraces it with open arms.</p>

<p>Taking cognisance of the momentum building up around yoga, India is all poised to use it in the international arena both as a soft tool of diplomacy and to claim cultural leadership. With news pouring in from all over the world on the grand scale at which yoga is being celebrated, it is clear that the Indian state has been successful in making yoga the new face of India. The country has strike back with a new image of its own that, hopefully, will replace the earlier ones of poverty and hunger.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Yoga&#39;s multifarious use in recent times ensured that it is now a commodity. Yoga&nbsp;has its own Day, unofficial but hugely popular brand ambassadors, such as Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Baba Ramdev and Shilpa Shetty, it has logos, mats and spas to serve a growing clientele across the globe. The commodification of yoga has made it very different from its &quot;classical&quot; usages when it was, primarily, showcased as a technique to achieve &quot;inner&quot; spiritual and &quot;outer&quot; physical ascent. No matter how strongly the proponents of yoga like to articulate to the world the uninterrupted lineage that yoga enjoyed through the ages, in reality, however, neither the meaning nor the practices of yoga have been consistent across space and time.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is only very recently, under the tutelage of the Indian government that there has been a consistent effort to codify, localise and placate yoga as an &quot;Indian&quot; contribution to the world. Yoga is fast emerging as India&#39;s soft tool of diplomacy to garner a prominent place in international affairs. This came out clearly when India&#39;s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his speech to the UN, successfully persuaded the international body to adopt a day as the International Day of Yoga when there was already a World Day of Yoga in existence. This was like pouring old wine into a new bottle. But the announcement&nbsp;served few very important purposes: it made sure that world knew that yoga belongs to India - it is India&#39;s gift to the world; it also made sure that yoga gets the attention of nation-states, and does not remain restricted to the confines of spas run by health enthusiasts or practised by culturally fringe elements like the hippies.</p>

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<h5>Now, yoga opens up an entire plethora of opportunity for the Indian state to give to the rest of the world a template on how to live harmoniously, embracing a healthier life choice</h5>
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<p>Endorsing Prime Minister Modi&#39;s global vision about yoga, even Ban-Ki-moon, the then UN General Secretary made a public statement endorsing the crucial role of yoga in the well-being of the world population. He was categorical in his statement that through the celebration of the International Yoga Day, the world will be a &quot;healthier&quot; place and, more importantly, it will facilitate a more unified existence where people can live in harmony irrespective of their ethnicity, faith, age, gender identity or sexual orientation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the course of modern history, it has been the West which had been providing to the rest of the world with a civilisational standard and a model of development. Now, yoga opens up an entire plethora of opportunity for the Indian state to give to the rest of the world a template on how to live harmoniously, embracing a healthier life choice. Imperceptively but very effectively yoga is shifting the locus of cultural authority in favour of India. And the Indian government is well aware of the political benefits of this shift. Hence, the resources devoted to celebrating the Day knows no bound.</p>

<p>Yoga&#39;s aggressive cultural promotion both within and outside India syncs all too well with the global aspiration of the country&#39;s growing middle-class. With rising affluence, this section of the Indian population is increasingly tired of India&#39;s image of a poverty-ridden, hunger-stricken country. Globalisation has benefitted Indian middle-class the most and now they want to see India as a global power, both economically and culturally. Yoga provides them with an alternative image of India with which it can identify. Yoga practises come laden with messages of power, discipline, masculinity and specialised knowledge. Speaking metaphorically, the asanas have been indeed therapeutic for the Indian middle-class.</p>

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<p>The myriad benefits that Indians are set to receive from yoga getting influential are so huge that they have aggressively come out against any commercial appropriation of yoga by any private individuals. All yogic asanas and formulations are now getting codified within the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) that the government has set up with an unflinching wellness message attached to it. This categoric effort to indigenise yoga as an Indian invention can be seen as part of Modi&#39;s broader agenda to promote the &quot;Make in India&quot; goal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;Under the new system, yoga is no more the fluid set of ideas open to interpretation and appropriation by anyone who takes interest in it but more of a coda of &quot;traditional&quot; knowledge that is protected by law from foreign and illegal infringement. The Government of India has placed TKDL under the supervision of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research which implies that officially the spiritual aspect of yoga is about to get downplayed while it gains in stature as a set of scientific-medical practise. As an officially recognised healing tool for the body, yoga now shares same legal protection as any medicine or scientific invention. Consequently, TKDL&nbsp;codification will be allowing the Indian government to have a bigger say on how yoga is used, who uses it and for what purposes.</p>

<p>What was purely an individual pursuit learned from the &quot;gurus&quot;, courtesy Yoga&#39;s newly emerging clinical nature, it is turning into more of a nationalist project which is under the control of the nation-state. This makes yoga very much politicised. As the government is responsible for the physical well-being of the citizen, yoga, in contributing to that scheme of wellness, becomes very much a political subject too.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>While it is easier to comprehend why patenting yogic asanas by any individual party should be forbidden, the Indian government&#39;s political cooptation of the traditional knowledge has also raised serious controversy in recent times. Prime Minister Modi in trying to reclaim yoga as an Indian art form is taking the help of Hindu spiritual leaders, such as Ravishankar and Ramdev. Historically, this would mean discounting the important role yoga played in Buddhism and Jainism but, more importantly, such associations make&nbsp;yoga so much less a pan-Indian thing. Other religious communities in India and abroad have raised serious concern about yoga being used as a Hindutva tool.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Operating between the twilight zone between the secular appeal of yoga and its religious roots, the Indian government is all set to seize the opportunity to revitalise India as a &quot;Vishwa Guru&quot;, or guru of the world. Modi believes that &ldquo;We have to emerge as vishwa guru, not only to give new direction to the world, but also to protect our own heritage.&rdquo; Through the reclamation of yoga, Modi is attempting to rebrand India&rsquo;s international image by emphasising the bond between its ancient and contemporary cultures. But building a &quot;national&quot; culture is a contentious issue and in a sociologically diversified country like India, it can create the perception that the majority community is culturally imposing yoga on the others.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Thus, as we celebrate the International Yoga Day, Indians, as well as the Indian nation-state, need to realise that yogic practises can keep the citizens healthy but when used as a political theology it can be a disruptive force.</p>


Yoga's aggressive cultural promotion syncs all too well with the global aspiration of the country's growing middle-class

Yoga is back, and it is considered cool. The whole world, particularly, the West embraces it with open arms. Taking cognisance of the momentum building up around yoga, India is all poised to use it in the international arena both as a soft tool of diplomacy and to claim cultural leadership. With news pouring in from all over the world on the grand scale at which yoga is being celebrated, it is clear that the Indian state has been successful in making yoga the new face of India. The country has strike back with a new image of its own that, hopefully, will replace the earlier ones of poverty and hunger. Yoga's multifarious use in recent times ensured that it is now a commodity. Yoga has its own Day, unofficial but hugely popular brand ambassadors, such as Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Baba Ramdev and Shilpa Shetty, it has logos, mats and spas to serve a growing clientele across the globe. The commodification of yoga has made it very different from its "classical" usages when it was, primarily, showcased as a technique to achieve "inner" spiritual and "outer" physical ascent. No matter how strongly the proponents of yoga like to articulate to the world the uninterrupted lineage that yoga enjoyed through the ages, in reality, however, neither the meaning nor the practices of yoga have been consistent across space and time. It is only very recently, under the tutelage of the Indian government that there has been a consistent effort to codify, localise and placate yoga as an "Indian" contribution to the world. Yoga is fast emerging as India's soft tool of diplomacy to garner a prominent place in international affairs. This came out clearly when India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his speech to the UN, successfully persuaded the international body to adopt a day as the International Day of Yoga when there was already a World Day of Yoga in existence. This was like pouring old wine into a new bottle. But the announcement served few very important purposes: it made sure that world knew that yoga belongs to India - it is India's gift to the world; it also made sure that yoga gets the attention of nation-states, and does not remain restricted to the confines of spas run by health enthusiasts or practised by culturally fringe elements like the hippies. Now, yoga opens up an entire plethora of opportunity for the Indian state to give to the rest of the world a template on how to live harmoniously, embracing a healthier life choice × Endorsing Prime Minister Modi's global vision about yoga, even Ban-Ki-moon, the then UN General Secretary made a public statement endorsing the crucial role of yoga in the well-being of the world population. He was categorical in his statement that through the celebration of the International Yoga Day, the world will be a "healthier" place and, more importantly, it will facilitate a more unified existence where people can live in harmony irrespective of their ethnicity, faith, age, gender identity or sexual orientation. In the course of modern history, it has been the West which had been providing to the rest of the world with a civilisational standard and a model of development. Now, yoga opens up an entire plethora of opportunity for the Indian state to give to the rest of the world a template on how to live harmoniously, embracing a healthier life choice. Imperceptively but very effectively yoga is shifting the locus of cultural authority in favour of India. And the Indian government is well aware of the political benefits of this shift. Hence, the resources devoted to celebrating the Day knows no bound. Yoga's aggressive cultural promotion both within and outside India syncs all too well with the global aspiration of the country's growing middle-class. With rising affluence, this section of the Indian population is increasingly tired of India's image of a poverty-ridden, hunger-stricken country. Globalisation has benefitted Indian middle-class the most and now they want to see India as a global power, both economically and culturally. Yoga provides them with an alternative image of India with which it can identify. Yoga practises come laden with messages of power, discipline, masculinity and specialised knowledge. Speaking metaphorically, the asanas have been indeed therapeutic for the Indian middle-class. Yoga practises come laden with messages of power, discipline, masculinity and specialised knowledge. × The myriad benefits that Indians are set to receive from yoga getting influential are so huge that they have aggressively come out against any commercial appropriation of yoga by any private individuals. All yogic asanas and formulations are now getting codified within the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) that the government has set up with an unflinching wellness message attached to it. This categoric effort to indigenise yoga as an Indian invention can be seen as part of Modi's broader agenda to promote the "Make in India" goal. Under the new system, yoga is no more the fluid set of ideas open to interpretation and appropriation by anyone who takes interest in it but more of a coda of "traditional" knowledge that is protected by law from foreign and illegal infringement. The Government of India has placed TKDL under the supervision of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research which implies that officially the spiritual aspect of yoga is about to get downplayed while it gains in stature as a set of scientific-medical practise. As an officially recognised healing tool for the body, yoga now shares same legal protection as any medicine or scientific invention. Consequently, TKDL codification will be allowing the Indian government to have a bigger say on how yoga is used, who uses it and for what purposes. What was purely an individual pursuit learned from the "gurus", courtesy Yoga's newly emerging clinical nature, it is turning into more of a nationalist project which is under the control of the nation-state. This makes yoga very much politicised. As the government is responsible for the physical well-being of the citizen, yoga, in contributing to that scheme of wellness, becomes very much a political subject too. Operating between the twilight zone between the secular appeal of yoga and its religious roots, the Indian government is all set to seize the opportunity to revitalise India as a "Vishwa Guru", or guru of the world × While it is easier to comprehend why patenting yogic asanas by any individual party should be forbidden, the Indian government's political cooptation of the traditional knowledge has also raised serious controversy in recent times. Prime Minister Modi in trying to reclaim yoga as an Indian art form is taking the help of Hindu spiritual leaders, such as Ravishankar and Ramdev. Historically, this would mean discounting the important role yoga played in Buddhism and Jainism but, more importantly, such associations make yoga so much less a pan-Indian thing. Other religious communities in India and abroad have raised serious concern about yoga being used as a Hindutva tool. Operating between the twilight zone between the secular appeal of yoga and its religious roots, the Indian government is all set to seize the opportunity to revitalise India as a "Vishwa Guru", or guru of the world. Modi believes that “We have to emerge as vishwa guru, not only to give new direction to the world, but also to protect our own heritage.” Through the reclamation of yoga, Modi is attempting to rebrand India’s international image by emphasising the bond between its ancient and contemporary cultures. But building a "national" culture is a contentious issue and in a sociologically diversified country like India, it can create the perception that the majority community is culturally imposing yoga on the others. Thus, as we celebrate the International Yoga Day, Indians, as well as the Indian nation-state, need to realise that yogic practises can keep the citizens healthy but when used as a political theology it can be a disruptive force.

Yoga: India's new cultural tool of global dominance

<p>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocated the benefits of yoga in Lucknow on the occasion of International Yoga Day in Lucknow.</p>

<p>&quot;Yoga, which connects body, mind and soul, has played a big role in connecting the world too,&quot;&nbsp;Modi said in a heavily-fortified Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan, later adding that yoga was necessary as salt is to life.</p>

<p>The prime minister&#39;s comments comes after people around the world are set to participate&nbsp;in yoga events in India and around the world. In&nbsp;India, alone, there will be some 5,000 events to mark the third edition of the yoga day.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sharing my speech at the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YogaDay2017?src=hash">#YogaDay2017</a> programme in Lucknow. <a href="https://t.co/TWwInTP5I5">https://t.co/TWwInTP5I5</a></p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/877396785211219968">June 21, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Lucknow&nbsp;event, an 80-minute affair, is one of the biggest yoga events in the country and even intermittent rain fail to dampen the spirits of yoga enthusiasts in Lucknow and around the country.</p>

<p>Wearing a white tee and loose trousers, Modi perfomed several asanas with the 51,000-odd&nbsp;people attending the event.</p>

<p>&quot;Earlier, Yoga was only restricted to saints and seers in the Himalayan mountains. Now, it has become part of every person&#39;s life,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>The premier also said how problems of all magnitude could be tackled with if everyone did yoga for about an hour.</p>

<p>&quot;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,&quot; the 66-year-old said.</p>

<p>Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, who is attending the event, also enumerated the merits of practicing yoga.</p>

<p>&quot;Yoga is an ancient Indian practice and all ancient scriptures including the Vedas have accepted the importance of yoga. Yoga is a way of life and helps to unite people,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Huge LED screens were set up at the venue for people to easily follow the sanaas being demonstrated on the stage.</p>

<p>Three years back, the Indian prime minister had persuaded the United Nations to mark June 21 as the International Yoga Day.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Indian missions around the world will hold yoga sessions to propogate the benifts of yoga, which is believed to have started in India some 5,000 years back.</p>

<p>The first two functions of the International Yoga Day were held in New Delhi and Chandigarh. In the inaugural edition, Modi performed yoga with 200 million people across the country.</p>

<p>Hours later, yoga guru Baba Ramdev claimed that nearly three lakh people in Ahmedabad did yoga together -- a world record.</p>

<p>Several high-profile BJP leaders including Amit Shah were also present at the venue.</p>

<p>But some people feel that Narendra Modi&#39;s administration -- perceived to be a nationalist one -- is pushing yoga to forward its Hindu agenda.</p>

<p>A few Muslim leaders&nbsp;have also raised their concern in the past, saying yoga went against Islamic thinking.</p>

<p>But that didn&#39;t deter Pakistan from joining in on the third edition of the yoga day.</p>

<p>Although the celebrations remained largely muted due to Ramadan, some Pakistanis came out to show their support for yoga. Some said they would hold it on a grander scale after Eid.</p>

<p>Yoga enthusiasts performed asanas at major landmarks around the world. From China&#39;s Great Wall to the London Eye, people performed yoga to underscore its benefits.</p>

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is holding a massive show in Lucknow

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocated the benefits of yoga in Lucknow on the occasion of International Yoga Day in Lucknow. "Yoga, which connects body, mind and soul, has played a big role in connecting the world too," Modi said in a heavily-fortified Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan, later adding that yoga was necessary as salt is to life. The prime minister's comments comes after people around the world are set to participate in yoga events in India and around the world. In India, alone, there will be some 5,000 events to mark the third edition of the yoga day. Sharing my speech at the #YogaDay2017 programme in Lucknow. https://t.co/TWwInTP5I5 — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 21, 2017 × The Lucknow event, an 80-minute affair, is one of the biggest yoga events in the country and even intermittent rain fail to dampen the spirits of yoga enthusiasts in Lucknow and around the country. Wearing a white tee and loose trousers, Modi perfomed several asanas with the 51,000-odd people attending the event. "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. The premier also said how problems of all magnitude could be tackled with if everyone did yoga for about an hour. "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," the 66-year-old said. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, who is attending the event, also enumerated the merits of practicing yoga. "Yoga is an ancient Indian practice and all ancient scriptures including the Vedas have accepted the importance of yoga. Yoga is a way of life and helps to unite people," he said. Huge LED screens were set up at the venue for people to easily follow the sanaas being demonstrated on the stage. Three years back, the Indian prime minister had persuaded the United Nations to mark June 21 as the International Yoga Day. The Indian missions around the world will hold yoga sessions to propogate the benifts of yoga, which is believed to have started in India some 5,000 years back. The first two functions of the International Yoga Day were held in New Delhi and Chandigarh. In the inaugural edition, Modi performed yoga with 200 million people across the country. Hours later, yoga guru Baba Ramdev claimed that nearly three lakh people in Ahmedabad did yoga together -- a world record. Several high-profile BJP leaders including Amit Shah were also present at the venue. But some people feel that Narendra Modi's administration -- perceived to be a nationalist one -- is pushing yoga to forward its Hindu agenda. A few Muslim leaders have also raised their concern in the past, saying yoga went against Islamic thinking. But that didn't deter Pakistan from joining in on the third edition of the yoga day. Although the celebrations remained largely muted due to Ramadan, some Pakistanis came out to show their support for yoga. Some said they would hold it on a grander scale after Eid. Yoga enthusiasts performed asanas at major landmarks around the world. From China's Great Wall to the London Eye, people performed yoga to underscore its benefits.

International Yoga Day: Modi kicks off global event, Pakistan joins in

<p>Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath performed yoga with yoga guru Baba Ramdev today at the Raj Bhavan in the state capital.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The practice session was conducted just before the upcoming &#39;Yoga Diwas&#39; or International Day of Yoga which is to be held on June 21.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="in">Lucknow (UP): CM Yogi Adityanath, Governor Ram Naik and Baba Ramdev perform Yoga. <a href="https://t.co/twcFQajQrg">pic.twitter.com/twcFQajQrg</a></p>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/872276489219096576">June 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath are expected to participate in the International Yoga Day event to be held in Lucknow on June 21 along with 50,000 other yoga practitioners.</p>

<p>In his &quot;Mann ki Baat&quot; address last month, the Prime Minister had stressed the importance of yoga to lead a healthy and stress-free life. He had also asserted that yoga has the potential of connecting the entire world.</p>

<p>&quot;June 21 has become one of the known dates across the world. The entire world celebrates International Day of Yoga. In a very short span of time, the message of yoga has spread to every corner of the world. Yoga is integrating the world today. Through yoga, India as a whole has successfully started connecting the world,&quot; the Prime Minister said in his 32nd &#39; Mann Ki Baat&#39; address on May 28.</p>

<p>The world will celebrate the third International Day of Yoga on June 21.</p>

<p>It has been celebrated annually since its inception in 2015. An International Day for Yoga was declared unanimously by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on December 11, 2014.</p>

<p>(ANI)</p>


The practice session was conducted just before the upcoming 'Yoga Diwas' or International Day of Yoga which is to be held on June 21

Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath performed yoga with yoga guru Baba Ramdev today at the Raj Bhavan in the state capital. The practice session was conducted just before the upcoming 'Yoga Diwas' or International Day of Yoga which is to be held on June 21. Lucknow (UP): CM Yogi Adityanath, Governor Ram Naik and Baba Ramdev perform Yoga. pic.twitter.com/twcFQajQrg — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) June 7, 2017 × Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath are expected to participate in the International Yoga Day event to be held in Lucknow on June 21 along with 50,000 other yoga practitioners. In his "Mann ki Baat" address last month, the Prime Minister had stressed the importance of yoga to lead a healthy and stress-free life. He had also asserted that yoga has the potential of connecting the entire world. "June 21 has become one of the known dates across the world. The entire world celebrates International Day of Yoga. In a very short span of time, the message of yoga has spread to every corner of the world. Yoga is integrating the world today. Through yoga, India as a whole has successfully started connecting the world," the Prime Minister said in his 32nd ' Mann Ki Baat' address on May 28. The world will celebrate the third International Day of Yoga on June 21. It has been celebrated annually since its inception in 2015. An International Day for Yoga was declared unanimously by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on December 11, 2014. (ANI)

Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik, CM Adityanath perform yogic 'asana' with Ramdev

<p>There was&nbsp;a&nbsp;curious statement reported recently from the <a href="http://indiaclimatedialogue.net/2014/09/29/combating-climate-change-needs-yoga/">Indian prime minister</a>, suggesting that the Indian lifestyle was the only way to mitigate&nbsp;the&nbsp;crisis of climate change. As expected, the statement is &lsquo;politically&rsquo; targeted at boosting, in a rather&nbsp;machismo&nbsp;way, the spirits of a domestic audience as well as pressing forth the concept of climate justice to the Western powers. The statement is fraught with dangers in both cases which is why negotiations appear protracted and endless.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The West would loath to restrain their populace from all the markers of a good life and the middle-class Indians aspire for all kinds of western goodies, referring to this aspiration as development. However, it would be a mistake to fit either group into independent silos or use globalisation as an analytical tool to unravel the connections between them. I would rather like to seek an area related to life style, namely the practice of yoga that finds equal resonance amongst Indians and westerners.</p>

<p>The practice of yoga has truly become ubiquitous across the world with more styles and schools than flavors of ice cream. The only thing that connects this wide spectrum is, India and its notions of mysticism. Hence, each school vies with the other to prove the authenticity of its Indian roots. Yoga is projected in every case as an alternative lifestyle and this lifestyle is closely associated with what one&nbsp;eats. It is in this context, I wish to enquire into the relationship vegetarianism shares with the practice of yoga.</p>

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<p>The authentic roots of Yoga can be traced back to two principal&nbsp;texts: Yogasutras penned by Patanjali and Hathayoga Pradipika by Swatmaram. The former is reliably dated as a 2<sup>nd</sup>&nbsp;Century CE text and the latter was written around 14<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;Century CE. The former is the Bible for Rajayoga practitioners whereas the latter is favoured by Hathayogis. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Both the texts make detailed suggestions on the kind of lifestyles desired of a practitioner. Some of these suggestions are pretty outlandish; for instance, there is a prescription on what sort of kingdom one needed to live in for practicing yoga:<i>&nbsp;</i></p>

<p><i>&nbsp;The Hatha Yogi should live in a secluded hut free of stones, fires and dampness to a distance of four cubits in a country that is properly governed, virtuous, prosperous, and peaceful&nbsp;</i></p>

<p>The Yogasutra is an eloquent document on ethics and makes nonviolence an imperative. It is possible that this imperative has been derivative of&nbsp;some connections to the principle of Ahimsa of Jaina and Buddhist traditions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The practice of Hathayoga display&nbsp;the same sort of anxieties about violence, particularly because its practice was patronised by those with martial leanings, like the Mysore aristocracy. Hence there is a cherry-picking of scriptures that continues to this date.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, the overwhelming movement towards vegetarianism of recent times has more to do with vegan movements in the West, and the reason for this is not hard to find. Environmental activism, including vegetarianism and veganism as well as popularity of alternative healthcare measures, such as the Ayurveda reflect the desire to find ways to break away from the current trajectory of life and its politics.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As a practitioner of Hathayoga, I do not have a simple response to vegetarianism. On the face of it, I find avoidance of meat to be of obvious benefit to&nbsp;my practice: my joints are more flexible, my levels of energy higher and mind is great deal more relaxed and light. But my preference for vegetarian diet could well be because I was brought up on it at home and my first level of ease is from the familial and&nbsp;familiar. At the psychological level, there could also be an element of guilt that is associated with killing another living being.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Over the time, I have found that yoga&rsquo;s relation with diet can at best provide for anecdotal evidence. The larger question that needs to addressed is, what sort of food choice will be sustainable for the entire planet. Diet today is far too complicated. In the 1970s when I was growing up we understood food only in terms of Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats and Vitamins. If our daily diet had these groups in fair proportion our interest was satiated. The rest of the choice was on personal taste and culture. We did experiment a bit but there was nowhere the sort of scrutiny in the form of calorie counting, subcategory analysis, such as gluten, sugar and cholesterol content that has become the recent reality.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>I suspect all this has to do with a sort of image that is being peddled for&nbsp;popular consumption about the sort of body everybody should have. Paradoxically, it contains the stricture of finding the authentic you! The yoga gurus tap into this prescription and form their cults and, thus, become universal fathers promoting India as the&nbsp;<em>Pitri </em>and <em>Punyabhumi: </em>the land of the forefathers and and the land of the virtuous.</p>

<p>But shouldn&rsquo;t virtue rather rest on seriously resisting unsustainable chemical farming and downright predatory GMO foods? I wonder where GMO lies on the moral divide between vegetarian and non-vegetarian diet. Even if we do wish to find scriptural endorsement, how far should one go on the subject of violence. Vegetarianism has become a pertinent question of the day since the crisis of climate change have come to resemble&nbsp;what&rsquo;s printed on the rear view mirrors of our cars: objects are closer than what are reflected.</p>

<p>In conclusion, perhaps our anxieties have to be addressed through our huts and countries as Swatmaram alluded to in Hathayoga Pradipika. We can rephrase his message&nbsp;like this:</p>

<p><i>Saying no to plastic; taking direct and immediate action on all resources that we tap into, such as air, water and living organisms; we urge the construction of sustainable and nonviolent homes. Last but not the least, we demand from our respective administrations the need to be virtuous, prosperous, just and peaceful.</i></p>


Even if we do wish to find scriptural endorsement, how far should one go on the subject of violence in matters of diet

There was a curious statement reported recently from the Indian prime minister, suggesting that the Indian lifestyle was the only way to mitigate the crisis of climate change. As expected, the statement is ‘politically’ targeted at boosting, in a rather machismo way, the spirits of a domestic audience as well as pressing forth the concept of climate justice to the Western powers. The statement is fraught with dangers in both cases which is why negotiations appear protracted and endless. The West would loath to restrain their populace from all the markers of a good life and the middle-class Indians aspire for all kinds of western goodies, referring to this aspiration as development. However, it would be a mistake to fit either group into independent silos or use globalisation as an analytical tool to unravel the connections between them. I would rather like to seek an area related to life style, namely the practice of yoga that finds equal resonance amongst Indians and westerners. The practice of yoga has truly become ubiquitous across the world with more styles and schools than flavors of ice cream. The only thing that connects this wide spectrum is, India and its notions of mysticism. Hence, each school vies with the other to prove the authenticity of its Indian roots. Yoga is projected in every case as an alternative lifestyle and this lifestyle is closely associated with what one eats. It is in this context, I wish to enquire into the relationship vegetarianism shares with the practice of yoga. Yoga is projected in every case as an alternative lifestyle and this lifestyle is closely associated with what one eats × The authentic roots of Yoga can be traced back to two principal texts: Yogasutras penned by Patanjali and Hathayoga Pradipika by Swatmaram. The former is reliably dated as a 2nd Century CE text and the latter was written around 14th Century CE. The former is the Bible for Rajayoga practitioners whereas the latter is favoured by Hathayogis. Both the texts make detailed suggestions on the kind of lifestyles desired of a practitioner. Some of these suggestions are pretty outlandish; for instance, there is a prescription on what sort of kingdom one needed to live in for practicing yoga: The Hatha Yogi should live in a secluded hut free of stones, fires and dampness to a distance of four cubits in a country that is properly governed, virtuous, prosperous, and peaceful The Yogasutra is an eloquent document on ethics and makes nonviolence an imperative. It is possible that this imperative has been derivative of some connections to the principle of Ahimsa of Jaina and Buddhist traditions. The practice of Hathayoga display the same sort of anxieties about violence, particularly because its practice was patronised by those with martial leanings, like the Mysore aristocracy. Hence there is a cherry-picking of scriptures that continues to this date. However, the overwhelming movement towards vegetarianism of recent times has more to do with vegan movements in the West, and the reason for this is not hard to find. Environmental activism, including vegetarianism and veganism as well as popularity of alternative healthcare measures, such as the Ayurveda reflect the desire to find ways to break away from the current trajectory of life and its politics. As a practitioner of Hathayoga, I do not have a simple response to vegetarianism. On the face of it, I find avoidance of meat to be of obvious benefit to my practice: my joints are more flexible, my levels of energy higher and mind is great deal more relaxed and light. But my preference for vegetarian diet could well be because I was brought up on it at home and my first level of ease is from the familial and familiar. At the psychological level, there could also be an element of guilt that is associated with killing another living being. My preference for vegetarian diet could well be because I was brought up on it at home and my first level of ease is from the familial and familiar × Over the time, I have found that yoga’s relation with diet can at best provide for anecdotal evidence. The larger question that needs to addressed is, what sort of food choice will be sustainable for the entire planet. Diet today is far too complicated. In the 1970s when I was growing up we understood food only in terms of Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats and Vitamins. If our daily diet had these groups in fair proportion our interest was satiated. The rest of the choice was on personal taste and culture. We did experiment a bit but there was nowhere the sort of scrutiny in the form of calorie counting, subcategory analysis, such as gluten, sugar and cholesterol content that has become the recent reality. The larger question that needs to addressed is, what sort of food choice will be sustainable for the entire planet × I suspect all this has to do with a sort of image that is being peddled for popular consumption about the sort of body everybody should have. Paradoxically, it contains the stricture of finding the authentic you! The yoga gurus tap into this prescription and form their cults and, thus, become universal fathers promoting India as the Pitri and Punyabhumi: the land of the forefathers and and the land of the virtuous. But shouldn’t virtue rather rest on seriously resisting unsustainable chemical farming and downright predatory GMO foods? I wonder where GMO lies on the moral divide between vegetarian and non-vegetarian diet. Even if we do wish to find scriptural endorsement, how far should one go on the subject of violence. Vegetarianism has become a pertinent question of the day since the crisis of climate change have come to resemble what’s printed on the rear view mirrors of our cars: objects are closer than what are reflected. In conclusion, perhaps our anxieties have to be addressed through our huts and countries as Swatmaram alluded to in Hathayoga Pradipika. We can rephrase his message like this: Saying no to plastic; taking direct and immediate action on all resources that we tap into, such as air, water and living organisms; we urge the construction of sustainable and nonviolent homes. Last but not the least, we demand from our respective administrations the need to be virtuous, prosperous, just and peaceful.

Yoga on veggie fries

<p>Swami Sivananda is a Hindu&nbsp;monk who was born on August 8, 1896, according to his passport. Claiming to be India&#39;s oldest living man, he is now applying to be recognized by&nbsp;Guinness World Records. That honor is currently held by&nbsp;Israel Kristal, who formally entered the books on&nbsp;March 11, 2016, at the age of&nbsp;112 years and 178 days.</p>

<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZSuYyi11K4A?list=PLmWa9ZZLlCjt0Jlg7kN3JBNX4LH1sRsGh" width="970"></iframe></p>

<p>Sivananda hails from the city of Varanasi in India and grew up in extreme poverty. He lost his parents at an early age and chose to become a monk. He credits his long life to his daily routine, which includes daily yoga, celibacy and discipline. Among other things,&nbsp;Sivananda sleeps on a mat on the floor and uses a wooden slab as a pillow. He is unfazed by the technological advancements of the new world, given that he was born in colonial era India without electricity, cars or telephones.&nbsp;</p>


Swami Sivananda is a Hindu monk who was born on August 8, 1896, according to his passport. Claiming to be India's oldest living man, he is now applying to be recognized by Guinness World Records. That honor is currently held by Israel Kristal, who formally entered the books on March 11, 2016, at the age of 112 years and 178 days. Sivananda hails from the city of Varanasi in India and grew up in extreme poverty. He lost his parents at an early age and chose to become a monk. He credits his long life to his daily routine, which includes daily yoga, celibacy and discipline. Among other things, Sivananda sleeps on a mat on the floor and uses a wooden slab as a pillow. He is unfazed by the technological advancements of the new world, given that he was born in colonial era India without electricity, cars or telephones.

Video: India's oldest man does yoga every day to remain young

Following a long-held tradition, thousands of yoga fans gathered in New York`s Times Square on Monday to mark the summer solstice, the longest day of the year.<br />
<br />
During the 14th edition of the annual event, yogis transformed the famous intersection in one of the world`s busiest cities into a huge outdoor yoga lesson surrounded by cars, construction and the hustle and bustle of Manhattan.<br />
<br />
The first lesson began at 5:00 am (0900 GMT), and the last at 7:30 pm. All were free and open to yoga practitioners of all levels.<br />
There was a heavy police presence.<br />
<br />
Thousands of yoga mats were distributed for the get-together, covering crosswalks.<br />
<br />
Last year, during the first international yoga day designated by the United Nations, some 17,000 people participated.<br />
(AFP)

Last year, during the first international yoga day designated by the United Nations, some 17,000 people participated

Following a long-held tradition, thousands of yoga fans gathered in New York`s Times Square on Monday to mark the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. During the 14th edition of the annual event, yogis transformed the famous intersection in one of the world`s busiest cities into a huge outdoor yoga lesson surrounded by cars, construction and the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. The first lesson began at 5:00 am (0900 GMT), and the last at 7:30 pm. All were free and open to yoga practitioners of all levels. There was a heavy police presence. Thousands of yoga mats were distributed for the get-together, covering crosswalks. Last year, during the first international yoga day designated by the United Nations, some 17,000 people participated. (AFP)

Thousands of yoga practitioners hit Times Square to welcome summer

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today joined over 30,000 people here for the second International Yoga Day celebrations as he pitched for treating diseases like diabetes through the ancient spiritual discipline.<br />
<br />
Modi, dressed in a white-coloured t-shirt and trouser along with a scarf, led over 30,000 participants, including defence forces personnel and school children, for the second International Day of Yoga celebrations here at the Capitol Complex amid tight security.<br />
<br />
The Prime Minister, who arrived here last night, participated in a mass demonstration of &#39;Common Yoga Protocol&#39;. A yoga enthusiast himself, he performed yoga &#39;asanas&#39; along with the people at the event.<br />
<br />
Over 30,000 people from all ages -- 10,000 each from Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana -- performed yoga &#39;asanas&#39; on pink and blue coloured mats during the event. Separately, about 10,000 people also performed yoga at over 100 other locations in Chandigarh itself.<br />
Earlier addressing the gathering, Modi pitched for treating diabetes through yoga.<br />
<br />
&quot;I want to request trainers who are associated with yoga, from this public platform. From next year when we celebrate yoga day, in this one year, you continue to do what you do for yoga but focus on one subject and this is my subject -- diabetes -- Diabetes and yoga,&quot; he said.<br />
<br />
&quot;All people belonging to the yoga field, whatever knowledge they have, they must continue with the rest of their yoga activities but this (diabetes) must be the main focus,&quot; Modi said.<br />
<br />
Expressing concern over rising number of patients suffering from diabetes, Modi asked yoga trainers to help in controlling the disease.<br />
&quot;In India, patients suffering from diabetes are rising. We might be able to get rid of this disease or not but with the help of yoga, diabetes can be controlled. Can we start a public campaign to suggest measures in yoga to the common man suffering from diabetes.<br />
<br />
&quot;It will be an achievement if we can help in treating diabetes. From next year, we can take another disease. But I want that for good health, we should address any one disease every year. We should run a public campaign with an aim to address one disease,&quot; he said.<br />
<br />
Yoga is not only a way to get rid of a disease but it also guarantees wellness. For holistic development of lives, yoga is a great way, he said.<br />
<br />
(PTI)

Says it's a great way to treat diseases like diabetes

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today joined over 30,000 people here for the second International Yoga Day celebrations as he pitched for treating diseases like diabetes through the ancient spiritual discipline. Modi, dressed in a white-coloured t-shirt and trouser along with a scarf, led over 30,000 participants, including defence forces personnel and school children, for the second International Day of Yoga celebrations here at the Capitol Complex amid tight security. The Prime Minister, who arrived here last night, participated in a mass demonstration of 'Common Yoga Protocol'. A yoga enthusiast himself, he performed yoga 'asanas' along with the people at the event. Over 30,000 people from all ages -- 10,000 each from Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana -- performed yoga 'asanas' on pink and blue coloured mats during the event. Separately, about 10,000 people also performed yoga at over 100 other locations in Chandigarh itself. Earlier addressing the gathering, Modi pitched for treating diabetes through yoga. "I want to request trainers who are associated with yoga, from this public platform. From next year when we celebrate yoga day, in this one year, you continue to do what you do for yoga but focus on one subject and this is my subject -- diabetes -- Diabetes and yoga," he said. "All people belonging to the yoga field, whatever knowledge they have, they must continue with the rest of their yoga activities but this (diabetes) must be the main focus," Modi said. Expressing concern over rising number of patients suffering from diabetes, Modi asked yoga trainers to help in controlling the disease. "In India, patients suffering from diabetes are rising. We might be able to get rid of this disease or not but with the help of yoga, diabetes can be controlled. Can we start a public campaign to suggest measures in yoga to the common man suffering from diabetes. "It will be an achievement if we can help in treating diabetes. From next year, we can take another disease. But I want that for good health, we should address any one disease every year. We should run a public campaign with an aim to address one disease," he said. Yoga is not only a way to get rid of a disease but it also guarantees wellness. For holistic development of lives, yoga is a great way, he said. (PTI)

Indian PM takes centre stage, leads 2nd International Yoga Day celebrations

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