US: Congressional resolution commemorates inaugural International Yoga Day

Washington: A Congressional resolution introduced in the US House of Representatives by Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard in Washington commemorated the inaugural International Yoga Day.

"As a longtime yoga practitioner myself, I experienced firsthand the positive impacts of yoga on my own life and I'm honoured to be introducing this resolution today and share with others the true meaning of yoga," Gabbard said on Thursday on the House floor before introducing the resolution.

Recognising adoption of June 21 as International Yoga Day by United Nations, the resolution co sponsored by several eminent lawmakers quotes Prime Minister's address to the United Nations General Assembly in 2014 regarding importance of Yoga.

Commemorating the inaugural International Yoga Day the resolution, supports the ideals that the event represents and encourages all individuals to participate on June 21.

Other co-sponsors of the resolution are Congressman Michael, Steve Israel, John Lewis, Tim Ryan, Rick Larsen, Jim McDermott, Joe Crowley and Adam Smith, who is Ranking Member of House Armed Services Committee.

Congressman Lewis is the only living "Big Six" leader of the African-American Civil Rights Movement and spoke alongside Dr Martin Luther King when he delivered the 'I have a Dream' speech.

Introducing the resolution, Gabbard said June 21 has been designated by the UN with over 177 countries in support as the International Yoga Day.

"Over 24 million Americans and 250 million people around the world practice some form of yoga and on Sunday people all around the world will be celebrating the benefits of living a yoga lifestyle," she said.

"India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the UN General Assembly on September 27, 2014, stating yoga is an invaluable gift of India's ancient tradition," she said.

"It embodies unity of mind and body, thought and action, restraint and fulfillment, harmony between man and nature, a holistic approach to health and well-being. It's not about exercise but rather it's about discovering the sense of oneness within yourself, the world and nature," Modi had said.