On June 21st, the 10th International Yoga Day was celebrated worldwide, including in Tokyo, where the Indian Embassy organized a special event at the Tsukiji Hongwanji temple despite the rainy weather.
Around 1,100 yoga enthusiasts gathered at the temple grounds, undeterred by the rain, to participate in the early morning yoga event. Under the guidance of instructors, participants stretched and practiced yoga breathing techniques, showcasing their dedication by mastering standing yoga poses while holding umbrellas.
The event began under gray skies with rain already falling, yet the spirit of the day remained undampened. Sibi George, the Indian Ambassador to Japan, expressed his gratitude to all attendees, emphasizing the resilience of yoga enthusiasts with his repeated mantra, “Rain or shine, yoga.”
Highlighting the enduring friendship between India and Japan, the ambassador’s words resonated with the crowd as he reiterated, “India, Japan, friendship, rain or shine,” and emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, regardless of the weather.
International Yoga Day, established by the United Nations with the support of 177 member states, aims to strengthen the mind-body connection through yoga, fostering a healthier, happier, and stress-free future for all.
Reflecting on the experience, participants, mostly women, shared their thoughts. One attendee expressed, “I enjoyed it despite the unfortunate weather,” while another remarked, “It was my first time doing yoga with an umbrella, and it felt like my mind was cleansed.”
While my first yoga experience left me soaked, holding my umbrella, I prayed for peace in all our hearts, rain or shine.
