Daijiworld Media Network - New York
New York, Jun 15: As the world readies for the International Day of Yoga on June 21, a unique event on June 22 aims to shift focus from yoga’s physical trappings back to its spiritual heart. The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization will welcome around 250 in-person participants—and many more online—at the peaceful Global Harmony House in Great Neck, Long Island, for “The Spirit of Yoga,” a gathering designed to explore yoga as a path of inner transformation rather than mere fitness.
In an era when wellness trends often emphasise outward appearance and athletic prowess, organisers intend this programme to rekindle yoga’s deeper purpose. Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, India’s Consul General in New York, will highlight yoga’s heritage as India’s gift to humanity, joined by BK Mohini Didi, the Brahma Kumaris’ Chief Administrative Head, underscoring the event’s blend of tradition and reflection. Set against the serene backdrop of the Global Harmony House—the Brahma Kumaris’ regional centre for the Americas and the Caribbean—the experience will blend talks, guided practices, and contemplative moments.
Gayatri Naraine, representing the Brahma Kumaris at the UN, noted that contemporary wellness culture often sidelines yoga’s spiritual dimension. “True yoga invites us to connect with our highest self and the Supreme through awareness,” she explained, pointing out that asanas are only one facet of a broader inner journey. Parveen Chopra, co-moderating the session, echoed this sentiment: “Following Patanjali’s eight-limbed path, we see asanas as supportive tools, while dhyan remains yoga’s ultimate fulfilment.”
By shifting the conversation from physical achievement to self-realisation and harmony, “The Spirit of Yoga” seeks to remind practitioners—both newcomers and seasoned yogis—of yoga’s timeless invitation: to cultivate inner stillness, clarity, and unity with something beyond the ego. As cities worldwide mark June 21 with mass demonstrations, this Long Island gathering offers an alternative: a quieter, inward-focused celebration of yoga’s essence.