HSS reaches 1 million Surya Namaskar!!
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA, Inc. (HSS) concluded its sixth annual “Health for Humanity” Yogathon on January 29th, 2012. During this two-weeks Yogathon, over 13,200 participants energized themselves up with more than one million repetitions of the yoga routine known as the Sun Salutation, or Surya Namaskar. The Yogathon was held at 230 different places from 39 US states and 5 countries in America, Asia, and Africa.
HSS launched the Yogathon, also known as Surya Namaskar Yajna (SNY), first in 2007, to create awareness about yoga as a perfect physical and mental health keeping system. The current year 2012 was the sixth year since the program was launched. This year, besides HSS volunteers, many health-conscious people across the nation participated in the 16-day event regardless of their race, religion, gender, ideology, ethnicity and age. These participants belonged to more than 107 community groups such as yoga institutes, temples, universities, religious and community groups. Furthermore, children from 19 public schools from California to the heartland of America, not only participated in the program, but also are considering surya-namaskar practice as a regular activity.
“Surya Namaskar integrates simple postures with an easy breathing technique to provide health benefits for everyone from beginners to yoga enthusiasts”, said Dr. Bobby Kapur, Director of the Center for Globalization and Associate Chief for Emergency Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, who participated in a Sugar Land, TX event. Dr. Somadatt Mahabir, a renowned scientist in the National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, spoke in the Washington, DC about the importance of Surya Namaskar in keeping good health all year round. He said, “Many diseases like diabetes and cancer can be avoided by practicing Surya Namaskar on a regular basis.” He further added that a daily routine of performing Surya Namaskar can be used as a tool to fight the obesity which has become a worldwide epidemic.Roslyn Earle a yoga instructor from the nonprofit Yoga For Peace said “I highly recommend everyone to learn the sequence of Surya Namskar and discover for themselves the wealth of improved health from a regular practice”. Earle conducted the Sugar Land event with fellow yoga instructors Mallikarjun B Shintri and Daksha Shah. Children who had learned yoga from Shah demonstrated the technique on stage for the participants to follow. “Surya Namaskar can help combat the problem of obesity among school children”, Earle said.
Several Government offices recognized and appreciated HSS’s efforts in spreading awareness of Yoga as a health-restoring system. Mayors of cities like Herndon(VA), Bloomington(IL), Normal(IL), Fremont(CA), Parsippany(NJ), Pearland(TX), San Antanio(TX), Sugar Land(TX), Morrisville(NC), Sunnyvale(CA), Milpitas(CA), Flower Mound(TX), Berkeley(CA), Irvene(CA), White Plains(NY), Springfield(IL), Newark(CA), Austin(TX), Tampa(FL) declared Jan 29th, 2012 as a “Health for Humanity” day and encouraged their constituents to participate in the locally held Yogathons. Famous for his health conscious agenda, Mayor Michael Bloomberg of the City of New York integrated this Yogathon with his “Shape up NYC” program and urged his city employees and residents to participate and receive the health benefits. He was also pleased to have HSS as a partner in his efforts to help New Yorkers to make smart decisions about their bodies. The Governor of the State of Colorado, John Hickenlooper, recognized HSS efforts in preserving ancient Hindu heritage and values. The honorable congressmen, Frank Wolf (10th district of VA) and Rodney Frelinghuysen (11th district of NJ), commended HSS for the leadership role in promoting healthy activities, such as Yoga.
The Yogathon also partnered with “Let’s Move!” a comprehensive initiative, launched by First Lady Michelle Obama, dedicated to solve the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation.
A senior citizen, V. T. Balanarsimha (Troy, OH) did 108 Surya Namaskar daily for 14 days, thus setting a wonderful example for youngsters and adults. Lamitr, a 4th Grader, has been participating in the Surya Namaskar Yajna for last two years. He got an award for highest count in age category (5 to 12 yrs) for two consecutive years. He was happy to receive it from vice-Mayor of the city of Cupertino. He was really excited and said he was looking forward to participate in the program next year too. Gargi, a 8th Grader, got an award for highest count in age category (13 to 19 yrs). She did 1690 Surya Namskars in 15 days. She is looking forward to join the program next year as well. Sadasiva, who works with Visa, did 10 sets of Surya Namaskar every day. He began his day at 5:30 am in the morning with the daily dose of Surya Namaskar to keep himself fit and energized for the whole day.
All in all, the SNY-2012 was a huge success. Praveen Dhir, the national coordinator, summed it up by stating, “It is a real accomplishment of this project that many participants continue this exercise year round and spread the message to stay fit and get in shape with their friends, family and the society”. We, the organizers of the Yogathon, thank all the participants, community groups and citizens for their support and promotion of this event. We wish them great health through sun salutations until the next Yogathon!!
HSS Announces 18th Annual “Health for Humanity” Yogathon
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) announces the seventeenth annual “Yoga for Health, Health for Humanity Yogathon” or “Surya Namaskar Yajna” (SNY). This program runs from January 18th to February 2nd, 2025. Participants across all ages, genders, races, ethnicities, nationalities, and faiths are invited to participate in the Yogathon to kickstart the New Year with health awareness and practice.
Surya Namaskar is a yogic practice done in reverence to the sun. Research shows several physiological and psychological benefits from Surya Namaskar when practiced regularly. They are performed as a series of 10 physical postures, flowing in a graceful, continuous sequence. The Surya Namaskar Yajna seeks to promote the practice and its benefits among all Americans aspiring for a fit body and balanced mind.
Since its inception in 2007, participants from 43 states have actively participated in the Yogathon through Yoga centers, community organizations, schools, and colleges, and also as individuals. Regardless of their faith and belief, these participants have performed over four million Surya Namaskars over the past several years. This is a testament to the success of the Yogathon in achieving diversity and inclusion in communities nationwide while promoting public health and well-being equitably.
Acknowledging this, community leaders and elected officials across the nation also appreciate this initiative and encourage their residents to participate in the Health for Humanity Yogathon and benefit from a healthy lifestyle. The Yogathon has received numerous proclamations from American mayors, governors, US Congressmen, and US Senators. It also found recognition in the Congressional records in 2017. The “Let’s Move” initiative of then First Lady Michelle Obama declared HSS as a partner in 2012 in cognizance of the Yogathon.
About Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS):
HSS is a 501(c)(3) voluntary non-profit cultural organization with over 230 chapters across the United States. HSS organizes service activities and community outreach projects to promote discipline, self-confidence, teamwork, and the spirit of selflessness. HSS also fosters a dynamic and flourishing Hindu-American community through civic duty, responsibility, and volunteerism, instilling lasting pride in Hindu heritage among its members. Learn more at www.HSSUS.org.
HSS Announces 18th Annual “Health for Humanity” Yogathon
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Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) announces the seventeenth annual “Yoga for Health, Health for Humanity Yogathon” or “Surya Namaskar Yajna” (SNY). This program runs from January 18th to February 2nd, 2025. Participants across all ages, genders, races, ethnicities, nationalities, and faiths are invited to participate in the Yogathon to kickstart the New Year with health awareness and practice.
Surya Namaskar is a yogic practice done in reverence to the sun. Research shows several physiological and psychological benefits from Surya Namaskar when practiced regularly. They are performed as a series of 10 physical postures, flowing in a graceful, continuous sequence. The Surya Namaskar Yajna seeks to promote the practice and its benefits among all Americans aspiring for a fit body and balanced mind.
Since its inception in 2007, participants from 43 states have actively participated in the Yogathon through Yoga centers, community organizations, schools, and colleges, and also as individuals. Regardless of their faith and belief, these participants have performed over four million Surya Namaskars over the past several years. This is a testament to the success of the Yogathon in achieving diversity and inclusion in communities nationwide while promoting public health and well-being equitably.
Acknowledging this, community leaders and elected officials across the nation also appreciate this initiative and encourage their residents to participate in the Health for Humanity Yogathon and benefit from a healthy lifestyle. The Yogathon has received numerous proclamations from American mayors, governors, US Congressmen, and US Senators. It also found recognition in the Congressional records in 2017. The “Let’s Move” initiative of then First Lady Michelle Obama declared HSS as a partner in 2012 in cognizance of the Yogathon.
About Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS):
HSS is a 501(c)(3) voluntary non-profit cultural organization with over 230 chapters across the United States. HSS organizes service activities and community outreach projects to promote discipline, self-confidence, teamwork, and the spirit of selflessness. HSS also fosters a dynamic and flourishing Hindu-American community through civic duty, responsibility, and volunteerism, instilling lasting pride in Hindu heritage among its members. Learn more at www.HSSUS.org
HSS Announces 17th Annual “Health for Humanity” Yogathon
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) announces the seventeenth annual “Yoga for Health, Health for Humanity Yogathon” or “Surya Namaskar Yajna” (SNY). This program runs from January 13th to January 28th, 2024. Participants across all ages, genders, races, ethnicities, nationalities, and faiths are invited to participate in the Yogathon to kickstart the New Year with health awareness and practice.
Surya Namaskar is a yogic practice done in reverence to the sun. Research shows several physiological and psychological benefits from Surya Namaskar when practiced regularly. They are performed as a series of 10 physical postures, flowing in a graceful, continuous sequence. The Surya Namaskar Yajna seeks to promote the practice and its benefits among all Americans aspiring for a fit body and balanced mind.
Since its inception in 2007, participants from 43 states have actively participated in the Yogathon through Yoga centers, community organizations, schools, and colleges, and also as individuals. Regardless of their faith and belief, these participants have performed over four million Surya Namaskars over the past several years. This is a testament to the success of the Yogathon in achieving diversity and inclusion in communities nationwide while promoting public health and well-being equitably.
Acknowledging this, community leaders and elected officials across the nation also appreciate this initiative and encourage their residents to participate in the Health for Humanity Yogathon and benefit from a healthy lifestyle. The Yogathon has received numerous proclamations from American mayors, governors, US Congressmen, and US Senators. It also found recognition in the Congressional records in 2017. The “Let’s Move” initiative of then First Lady Michelle Obama declared HSS as a partner in 2012 in cognizance of the Yogathon.
About Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS):
HSS is a 501(c)(3) voluntary non-profit cultural organization with over 230 chapters across the United States. HSS organizes service activities and community outreach projects to promote discipline, self-confidence, teamwork, and the spirit of selflessness. HSS also fosters a dynamic and flourishing Hindu-American community through civic duty, responsibility, and volunteerism, instilling lasting pride in Hindu heritage among its members. Learn more at www.HSSUS.org.
HSS Announces sixteenth Annual Health for Humanity Yogathon
ROCKAWAY, NJ, USA, January 6, 2023 — Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA (HSS) announces the sixteenth annual “Yoga for Health, Health for Humanity Yogathon” or “Surya Namaskar Yajna” (SNY) event. This event will begin on January 14, 2023, and end on January 29, 2023. It is a nationwide event where participants across genders, races, ethnicities, nationalities, and faiths enthusiastically join, thus making it a truly nationwide Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) event.
Surya Namaskar is typically done to honor the Sun, and it is believed to have a number of physical and mental benefits. Suryanamaskar Yajna is a type of Yogathon involving the practice of Surya Namaskar, a series of 10 physical postures traditionally performed in sequence as a form of yoga. The practice of Surya Namaskar involves moving through a series of poses that flow together in a graceful, continuous sequence.
Since its inception in 2007, participants from 43 states have actively taken part in Yoga centers, community organizations, schools, and colleges. Regardless of individual faiths and beliefs, enthusiasts have participated and collectively performed over four million Surya Namaskars.
Acknowledging this community-wide health awareness program, community leaders and many elected officials across the nation have appreciated this initiative and encouraged their residents to participate and gain the benefits of an overall healthy lifestyle. Health for Humanity Yogathon has received numerous proclamations from American mayors, governors, US Congressmen, and US Senators. It was recognized as a part of Congressional records in 2017. Acknowledging the community benefits of this initiative, the Let’s Move initiative of then First Lady Michelle Obama declared HSS as a partner in 2012.
HSS Announces 15th Annual Health for Humanity Yogathon
ROCKAWAY, NJ. January 12, 2022 – Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA (HSS) announces the fifteenth annual “Yoga for Health, Health for Humanity Yogathon” or “Surya Namaskar Yajna” (SNY). This 16-day event will begin on January 15, 2022, and end on January 30, 2022.
The sun is the source of energy for all life on earth. Surya Namaskar is a combination of yoga postures, called “āsanā(s),” performed in a pre-determined sequence in appreciation of this precious solar energy. Surya Namaskar integrates simple Yoga postures in ten steps that, along with easy breathing techniques, can provide immense health benefits to both the body and the mind.
Since its inception in 2007, participants from 43 states have actively taken part in Yoga centers, community organizations, schools, and colleges. Regardless of individual faiths and beliefs, enthusiasts have participated and collectively performed over four million Surya Namaskars. Community leaders and many elected officials across the nation have appreciated this initiative and encouraged their residents to participate and gain the benefits of an overall healthy lifestyle. Health for Humanity Yogathon has received numerous proclamations from American mayors, governors, US Congressmen, and US Senators. It was recognized as a part of Congressional records in 2017. Acknowledging the community benefits of this initiative, the Let’s Move initiative of the then First Lady Michelle Obama declared HSS as a partner in 2012.
This program is open to all people. For questions or suggestions, please email [email protected].
Details of this event, training resources, and advertising aids to make this project successful are available on the official HSS SNY website: www.hssus.org/sny.
