International Yoga Day in Moscow attracted over 7,000 participants across yoga, wellness, and cultural sessions

More than 7,000 participants, including local residents and tourists, gathered in Moscow to mark the 11th International Yoga Day. Organised in partnership with the Embassy of India in Russia, the event formed part of the city’s seasonal ‘Summer in Moscow’ programme.

The main activities were held near Michurinsky Garden and at VDNH, where over 100 open sessions took place. The programme included yoga demonstrations, expert lectures, wellness workshops, and cultural performances.

India’s Ambassador to Russia, Vinay Kumar, opened the event alongside Bulat Nurmukhanov, Deputy Chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee. In his address, Ambassador Kumar congratulated attendees on the occasion and highlighted this year’s official theme: “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.” He also presented a yoga magazine published by the Embassy and awarded winners of contests held in connection with the day, including a logo design competition, an asana photo challenge, and an essay competition.

Dr. Brijesh Gupta, yoga teacher at the Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre, introduced attendees to the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP), the standard set of practices developed by India’s Ministry of AYUSH for global mass yoga sessions.

Throughout the day, instructors from over 15 Moscow yoga schools led sessions in various forms of yoga, including Hatha yoga, Vinyasa, yoga for women, and sessions adapted for children and individuals with disabilities.

One of the notable participants was Russian zoologist and broadcaster Nikolai Drozdov, who addressed the gathering and reflected on yoga’s personal significance: “Yoga has been a vital part of my life. Certain asanas, when practised regularly, truly contribute to longevity,” he said.

The event also featured lectures by yoga and wellness practitioners from both India and Russia. Topics included Ayurvedic approaches for sustaining energy in urban environments, the role of meditation in post-stroke and cardiac recovery, and the use of Preksha and Shamahada meditation techniques for emotional balance.

Complementary workshops were held throughout the venue, including mandala painting, aromatic sachet-making, and DIY crafts. Alongside were sessions such as face yoga, yoga on balance boards, and prenatal yoga.

In addition to the wellness activities, attendees were treated to live performances, including a presentation by singer Peruquois, known for her vocal yoga technique, and music by the Harinama group and artists affiliated with the Indian Cultural Centre.

The celebrations formed part of Moscow’s ongoing initiative to incorporate diverse cultural events into its city-wide seasonal programming.

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