Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA, Inc. (HSS) concluded its eighth annual “Surya Namaskar Yajna” (SNY) also known as “Health for Humanity Yogathon”. HSS organizes this event annually during Hindu festival of Makar Samkranti that marks the Sun’s northward movement. Despite extreme weather conditions in many places, thousands of participants across the United States participated in daily repetitions of the yoga routine known as the Sun Salutation, or Surya Namaskar. Several places also conducted a Yogathon where many participants completed several repetitions Suryanamaskar Yoga.
The Surya Namaskar yoga routine integrates simple postures of well-balanced movements in ten steps with an easy breathing technique to provide immense benefits to body, mind and spirit for everyone, from beginners to yoga enthusiasts.
Over the years SNY has not only gained popularity among people regardless of race, gender, faith, age etc. but also has encouraged or motivated to perform Surya Namaskar regularly on a daily basis. Focus of this year’s program was to invite as large number of people as possible for one specific weekend and to collectively participate, learn and practice. Over 10,000 individuals in response, participated at over 100 different locations all across the United States. Participants in New York, Pennsylvania, Dallas and New Jersey performed a Yogathon for 3,6,12 and 24 hours performing total 20,000; 13,000; 11000; and 5000 Surya Namaskar.
More than 3000 students from 30 schools participated in SNY. Individual events were also held at 70 libraries, parks and several yoga studios across the US. SNY project received acknowledgement from 36 Mayors from various cities across the US and Governors of Illinois and Ohio who proclaimed SNY day and asked their residents to participate in this health initiatives that reflected rising awareness of Yoga and its integral benefits.
The national coordinator for SNY, Mr. Gaurav Singhal, while appreciating SNY team and all participants for enthusiastic response said, “Awareness generated by SNY effort will help practicing participants to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It will also help to generate enthusiasm in participation in the ‘International Yoga Day’ scheduled globally on June 21st, 2015.”