Washington: Governors of key US states and mayors of important cities issued proclamations to mark the first International Day of Yoga as Americans turned up in large numbers in support of the ancient Indian spiritual practice.
America, where First Lady Michelle Obama has generated a new sense of health and fitness consciousness over the past six years, celebrated the day with enthusiasm with nearly a dozen governors of key states and mayors of important cities issuing proclamations to mark the day.
Americans turned up in large numbers across cities and towns in the US expressing their full support to the First International Day of Yoga -- an initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Various wings of the Obama Administration also marked the occasion by issuing proclamations and citations.
"Yoga has been a spiritually, mentally, and physically healing practice for centuries. As the United Nations recently declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga, I encourage all Virginians to participate in this important day. Your commitment to mindfulness and health contributes to the growth of a healthier Virginia, and a healthier nation," Virginia Governor Terence McAuliffe said.
The ancient art of yoga is a discipline of both body and mind, said Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
Teaching strength, flexibility, patience and mindfulness, its surge in popularity worldwide has provided spiritual and physical comfort to countless men and women, he said.
Around 3,500 yoga lovers across Houston performed yoga to mark the first International Day of Yoga.
Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner proclaimed June 21, 2015, as International Day of Yoga in Illinois, for the cultural significance of yoga and to raise awareness about the benefits of the discipline.
"Yoga represents an ancient practice and holistic approach to improving one's quality of life and well-being. The practice of Yoga encourages lifestyle behaviours and habits that foster good health," he said.
Maryland Governor Lawrence Hogan also joined the global yoga day celebrations.
"People of Maryland join together in expressing our great respect, admiration and sincere best wishes for a joys and memorable observance, we are pleased to confer upon you this Governor's Citation," he said.
Mayor of San Jose Sam Liccardo and Mayor of Cambridge David P Maher also issued proclamations to mark the day.
Mayor of the City of Irvine, Steven S Choi said yoga is an ancient process incorporating mental, physical and spiritual practices to help keep the human mind and body in good health.
"The City Council of the City of Irvine does hereby proclaim June 21, 2015 as International Day of Yoga in Irvine and encourages its residents to recognise and celebrate this special day," he said.
Senior officials of the Obama Administration were in attendance early Sunday morning at the National Mall, at the main yoga event organiSed by the Indian Embassy here.
While Nisha Desai Biswal, the Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, brought in greetings on behalf of the Secretary of State, Matt Nosanchuk, Director for Outreach, National Security Council, greeted people on behalf of US President Barack Obama.
Obama, whose presidency has seen introduction of yoga inside the White House was travelling in California. Early Sunday morning Obama went to a local gym.
For the past two years, the White House has been organising yoga sessions during the annual Easter Egg Roll festivities.
"On this International Yoga Day, we recognise all those in the United States, India, and around the world who practice this discipline and wish them all the best," Mark Stroh, spokesman of National Security, said.
Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard introduced a resolution in the Congress in support of the International Day of Yoga.
Indian Embassy presented this event in collaboration with 'Friends of Yoga', a group of organisations which support and promote yoga and community organisations to celebrate the First International Day of Yoga.
The event presented guided Yoga sessions based on 'Common Yoga Protocol' video created by Government of India.
Yoga organisations also presented Yoga-related activities to highlight various facets of the ancient discipline.
Local yoga studios from Washington DC also participated in the event.
Following Indian Government's initiatives and plans for celebration of June 21, 2015 as the 'First?International Day of Yoga', the Indian Embassy here had been organising various yoga related curtain-raiser events to welcome and promote the First?International Day of Yoga.
In late April, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar kick-started this series by a Talk on 'Nurturing Peace Through Meditation'.
The Embassy hosted Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev's Talk on 'Relevance of Yoga in Modern Life'.
The Embassy also collaborated with Yoga organisations in the region to present events at the Capitol Hill, University of Maryland, World Bank, Chinmaya Mission, Durga Temple, Rajdhani Temple and other places.
On the eve of the International Day of Yoga, the Embassy collaborated with other organisations to present yoga events at John Hopkins University in Washington DC and Annapolis in which Mayor of Annapolis Mike Pantelides participated.
