Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh Celebrates International Yoga Day

SAN RAMON, CA: On Monday (6/21), Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) Contra Costa celebrated International Yoga Day by hosting a virtual community yoga event. Since 2015, after being recognized by the UN General Assembly, the International Day of Yoga has been celebrated worldwide on June 21st. The event was attended by approximately 150 yoga enthusiasts across 5 cities over Contra Costa County.

The event featured a focused 35 minute guided yoga session led by certified yoga instructor and San Ramon resident Smita Kinhikar. Once the main yoga session had concluded, HSS volunteer Srinivas Badami introduced the chief guest of honor for the event, David Houbert, Alameda County Supervisor. Mr.Houbert shared his thoughts about International Yoga Day and the importance of yoga in the modern world, citing that, “yoga is something that brings everyone together no matter what community, religion or color you are from….yoga is great for staying fit physically, mentally and spiritually.” Attendees received Mr. Houbert’s remarks very enthusiastically.

To conclude the event, HSS volunteer and community yoga enthusiast, Diganth Das, who also has a Masters degree in yoga, provided a short but enlightening talk about the positive impact of yoga on schools, communities, and society. In his talk, Mr.Das emphasized a quote from the Hindu holy scripture the Bhagavad Gita that said, “yoga is an art of doing things and living your life.” He recounted that “the goal of yoga is serving others by staying fit yourself and seeing others as your own.” HSS looks forward to actively engaging in local community services in the future and warmly thanks all participants and honored guests for joining on June 21st for International Yoga Day celebration.

About Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh: Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA (HSS or HSS USA) is a 501(c)(3), voluntary, non-profit, social, educational, and cultural organization. Sangh, as the organization is popularly known, aims to coordinate the Hindu American community to practice, preserve, and advance ideals and values of Hindu Dharma.