On June 21, more than 170 countries around the world are to observe for the first time the International Day of Yoga. On 11 December 2014, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution designating this date. The document is a response to the proposal made by the Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi. The website of the International Yoga Day provides information about hundreds of cities around the world in which various events are organized. Among them are Austria, Germany, France, Italy, USA, and Kenya, to mention but a few. An interesting fact is that the celebration in Bulgaria is one of the largest and undoubtedly covers most aspects of the millennial system of knowledge and practices. On 21 June, when the summer solstice arrives, from 9 am until late evening the National Palace of Culture in Sofia is to open its doors to the ancient teachings of yoga. Representatives of famous classical yoga schools throughout Bulgaria will demonstrate various practices - yoga for kids, yoga for pregnant women, yoga for various health conditions. Scientists will give lectures on topics dealing with the essence of yoga; the holistic science of health “Ayurveda” is to be presented as well. All schools and organizations in Bulgaria are to take part. What makes this ancient practice so popular in today's world? The answer comes from Vera Zaharieva, chairperson of the Bulgarian Yoga Federation.

"This is something that everyone practicing yoga knows very well. We are glad that the world community in the face of the UN has recognized the yoga holistic science that gives people knowledge of the right way of life, which allows people to achieve full physical and moral health. Yoga brings a harmonious fusion of man with nature, with the macrocosm. This method is easily accessible and can be applied by any ordinary person. The first thing to learn is to be good with yourself and with others, to be pure on the inside and outside - this includes your thoughts, feelings, and behavior. It is not necessary to isolate oneself from the world in order to practice yoga. On the contrary, faced with different situations and daily challenges, we learn how to do the right thing, make the right choices. Yoga teaches us to subject our senses to our intelligence, to react with calmness and wisdom. One of the objectives of the people who practice yoga is to work selflessly for others."

Let us add that the entrance to all events is free of charge throughout the day. There will also be stands offering publications of the various yoga schools, small souvenirs, tourist packages for travelling to India and others. The attendees can try Indian vegetarian, continental vegetarian and vegan food. The closing event will start at 7 pm with a musical dance performance of Indian classical Kathak dancer Swati Tiwari and her band. The holiday will be celebrated also in Plovdiv, Burgas, Varna, Ruse, Veliko Tarnovo, Gabrovo, Svilengrad and Pernik.