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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline JULY 11, 2025 | The Indian Eye 20

Brahma Kumaris and Lotus celebrate

Yoga Day with spiritual focus

Spiritual aspects of the Indian discipline were highlighted at the event cohosted by The Brahma
Kumaris and ALotusInTheMud.com

OUR BUREAU in the 8-limb yoga discipline and led the audience in
doing Brahma Mudra exercise.
Great Neck, NY
Jennifer DeSena, Supervisor of the Town of
n a soulful celebration to rekindle yoga’s spiritu- North Hempstead, thanked Chopra and the Global
al roots, over 200 people came together to cele- Harmony House for hosting a meaningful celebra-
Ibrate the International Day of Yoga. Instead of tion of Yoga Day, adding. “Yoga is not just move-
yoga postures, they were introduced to the higher ment—it’s a journey inward, a practice of stillness in
steps of the discipline that originated in India. The a restless world.”
Spirit of Yoga event on June 22 was co-hosted by Rakesh Bhargava, President of the World Veg-
Parveen Chopra, founder of ALotusInTheMud. an Vision (NY chapter), discussed the vegan life-
com, and the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Or- style and yoga. Dr Anjali Grover danced the story of
ganization. yoga and Andonia Fthenakis presented sound bath
Parveen Chopra played a video of the Lotus meditation.
web magazine he founded three years ago and mod- mala, organized by the Indian embassy there, even Earlier in the day, Steven Weinberg, Mayor of
erated the evening, along with Erik Larson, Direc- though only 100 Indian families live in that city. the Village of Thomaston in Great Neck, dropped
tor of Brahma Kumaris WSO. Sister Anjani Seep- Both BK Mohini Didi, the Brahma Kumaris’ by to present a Proclamation commending the
ersaud, Coordinator of the Global Harmony House Chief Administrative Head, and Sister Gayatri Brahma Kumaris.
venue, introduced them. Naraine, their NGO representative to the United In an expression of India’s call of ‘Vasudhai-
While acknowledging that almost all Yoga Day Nations, spoke of Rajyoga meditation as the path- va Kutumbakam’ (The World is One Family), the
programs and yoga studios focus only on asanas and way to peace and happiness as we connect to the su- speakers and attendees represented diverse reli-
pranayama, Chopra pointed out, “Asana practice preme and remember the eternal qualities of the soul. gions and communities.
will lead many to explore the spiritual side of yoga.” “The light of love is ignited in the heart,” ex- Prominent people at the event included Arvind
India’s Consul General In New York Binaya plained Mohini Didi. “When we connect to the su- Vora, Chair of Shanti Fund and founding trustee
Srikanta Pradhan was the Chief Guest. He was preme, our vibrations touch the hearts of everyone of Lotus, Dr Faroque Khan, Chair of Interfaith In-
represented by Piyush Singh – Consul, Press, In- in the world, so we can have peace.” A recording stitute of Long Island, Paul Chellani, head of the
formation, and Culture. Singh relayed the message of Mohini Didi’s blessings message was screened at Sant Nirankari Mission - New York, Kamlesh Me-
from the Consulate: “We are privileged to support the event. hta - Chairman of The South Asian Times, Prof In-
this inspiring initiative. The energy and intent that “The first quality of Raj Yoga is love,” affirmed drajit Saluja - Editor-Publisher of The Indian Pan-
radiate from this gathering truly reflect the deep- Sister Gayatri. “When you see your true self as love, orama, Mohan Wanchoo, Varinder Bhalla, Mukund
er essence of yoga. Not merely asanas, yoga is a you see everyone as brothers and sisters from your Padmanabhan, Chandra Bhansali, Ashok Vyas, Dr
profound spiritual discipline that harmonizes body, heart, not your mind. She explained that “it is the Urmilesh Arya, Rashmin Master, Jyoti Gupta and
mind, and soul.” practice of Rajyoga meditation by individuals of a yoga teacher Anita Rana.
Piyush Singh was introduced by Prof Indrajit collective coming together that has the greatest im- Guests and volunteers enjoyed delicious vege-
Singh Saluja, who mentioned that he was a witness pact on the world.” tarian and vegan refreshments in the sunny outdoors.
earlier this month to a record 10,000 people attend- Eddie Stern, yoga instructor and founder of the (All pictures by Kripa Ranjan Prasad, courtesy of
ing a yoga session in San Pedro Carcha in Guate- Ganesha Temple in Manhattan, positioned postures Parveen Chopra/ALotusInTheMud.com)

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