In celebration of the first International Day of Yoga on June 21st, world renowned humanitarian, spiritual leader and founder of the Art of Living Foundation, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, will be joined by 5,500 New Yorkers for "Yoga: A New Dimension." Hosted in partnership with Global Citizen Forum and the Indian Consulate General, NY, the event will be held at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall from 7pm – 9:30pm ET, and will highlight the rich heritage and deep values of Yoga through spiritual discussion, dance, music and a guided meditation led by Gurudev. Art of Living Foundation Chapters around the world will also host events in celebration of the International Day of Yoga, with an additional 100,000+ individuals from more than 100 countries expected to gather in locations across the globe to participate in "Yoga: A New Dimension" via live-cast.
As the leading voice of Yoga, Gurudev has also been invited by the United Nations to address world representatives at the celebrations of the first-ever International Day of Yoga at the United Nation's official event earlier in the day on June 21st.
The International Day of Yoga was officially adopted in December 2014 after years of effort by global Yoga leaders including Gurudev. The decision was made following an address to the United Nations by the newly appointed Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, who linked the values of Yoga to overcoming issues like climate change and poverty eradication.
"Yoga is more than just stretches, poses and an elastic body. It provides inner comfort and enables you to access your intuitive ability, which is a necessary ingredient in any field – be it business, arts, science or sports," said Gurudev. "The ancient secrets of Yoga hold the key to open a new dimension in your life beyond body and mind that will unlock your potential and tap into a field of infinite possibilities to live a deeper, more joyous life. Yoga brings good health, sharpness of intellect, creativity, emotional stability and a broad vision."
In the lead up to the International Day of Yoga, Gurudev has met world leaders to discuss the benefits of Yoga. Most recently he addressed the European Parliament in an event called "The Yoga Way." Following the event, Chairman of the European Parliament's Delegation for Relations with India, Geoffrey Van Orden, noted: "Politicians tend to lead very stressful lives. I have no doubt that we have much to learn from Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar." Gurudev also led a guided meditation for Congressional leaders at the Capitol Hill inWashington, DC, and has been invited as a keynote speaker at numerous global forums, including the European Parliament, the United Nations, UNESCO and the World Economic Forum. He has been honored by the United Nations and Governments across the world for his unprecedented and tireless journey in uniting the world in peace, joy and celebration.
Recognized by Forbes India as one of the five most powerful people in India, Gurudev has established nonprofit organizations that recognize a common human identity above the boundaries of race, nationality and religion. He has designed simple and accessible workshops that provide techniques and tools to uplift people using breath and meditation to reduce stress and develop leaders so that human values can flourish in people and communities, ultimately leading to a stress and violence-free world. Research has demonstrated the benefits of Gurudev's Art of Living programs as an effective method in reducing stress, managing depression and improving sense of well-being. In just three decades, his programs and initiatives have touched the lives of over 370 million people in 152 countries, including many areas of conflict and disaster where he has offered stress- and trauma-relief programs, which have been successful in reducing the negative effects of PTSD and curbing violence.
Tickets to "Yoga: A New Dimension" start at $35 and are on sale now at imeditateny.org/yand. All event proceeds will benefit Care for Children, a non-profit organization founded by the Art of Living Foundation that provides holistic education to children in underserved communities. Join the conversation on social media using #YogaNewDimension or visit artofliving.org to learn more about the Art of Living Foundation and its course offerings.
About Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a humanitarian leader, a spiritual teacher, and an ambassador of peace. His vision of a stress-free, violence-free society has united millions of people through service projects and the courses he has developed. Gurudev has rekindled the traditions of Yoga and meditation into a form that works in the 21st century. By reviving ancient wisdom, Gurudev has created new techniques for personal and social transformation, including a powerful technique called Sudarshan Kriya® which has helped millions of people to find relief from stress and discover inner reservoirs of energy and peace in daily life. Gurudev plays a key role in conflict resolution, spreading his vision of non-violence at public forums and gatherings worldwide, and is regarded as a neutral figure with peace as his sole agenda, representing hope to people in conflict. He is credited with bringing hostile parties to the negotiating table inIraq, the Ivory Coast, Kashmir, and Bihar. He has also developed and led programs that provide assistance to people from a wide range of backgrounds—victims of natural disasters, survivors of terror attacks and war, children from marginalized populations, communities in conflict, among others. The power of his message has inspired a wave of service based on spirituality through a huge body of volunteers who drive these projects forward in critical areas around the globe. In just three decades, his programs and initiatives have touched the lives of over 370 million people in 152 countries. Gurudev was named one of the five most powerful people in India by Forbes India, and has been honored by the UN and Governments across the world for his unprecedented and tireless journey in uniting the world in peace, joy and celebration. He has been invited as a keynote speaker at numerous global forums, including the European Parliament, the United Nations, UNESCO and the World Economic Forum. Visit srisriravishankar.org to learn more.
About The Art of Living Foundation:
Operating in 152 countries, The Art of Living Foundation (AOLF) is a non-profit 501(c)(3), educational and humanitarian organization founded in 1981 by the world-renown philanthropist and spiritual leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. All of AOLF's programs are guided by Gurudev's philosophy: "Unless we have a stress-free mind and a violence-free society, we cannot achieve world peace." The AOLF community is diverse and attracts people from all walks of life backgrounds and religious orientations. AOLF offers numerous highly effective educational and self-development programs and tools that facilitate the elimination of stress and foster deep and profound inner peace, happiness and well-being for all individuals. These programs, which include breathing techniques, meditation, Yoga, and practical wisdom for daily living, have helped millions around the world to completely transform their lives. Visit artofliving.org to learn more.
PRESS CONTACTS:
Seema Kalra
The Art of Living Foundation
650-619-8523
Seema.kalra@artofliving.org