CHICAGO, IL – The Consulate General of India in Chicago led the vibrant celebration of the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY 2025) with a landmark event at Navy Pier’s Polk Bros Park on Saturday, June 21, drawing over 400 yoga enthusiasts from across the region. Themed “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” this year’s celebration reaffirmed yoga’s role as a unifying global practice for individual and planetary wellness.
Consul General Somnath Ghosh inaugurated the flagship event with inspiring opening remarks, calling yoga “India’s timeless gift to the world,” and emphasizing its spiritual and ecological relevance in today’s global landscape. “Yoga transcends borders and faiths—it is a holistic way of living that fosters inner balance and universal harmony,” said the Consul General.
Set against the iconic backdrop of Lake Michigan, participants performed the Common Yoga Protocol, guided by acclaimed instructors Ms. Anu Malhotra, Ms. Vimi Shukla, Ms. Parna Mazumdar, Ms. Pam Brockman, and Ms. Saba Haider. The event was energized by clear blue skies, lush lawns, and the vibrant rhythm of breath and movement.
Supported by State Bank of India, Chicago, and in partnership with over 20 community organizations, the event underscored Chicago’s deep-rooted ties to India’s spiritual traditions. Key collaborators included Art of Living – Chicago, Sewa International USA, Isha Foundation, Brahma Kumaris, Heartfulness, Sahaja Yoga, Yogapathic, FIA-Chicago, Indian Community Niles Township, United Senior Pariwar, and TV Asia, among many others.
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Community Yoga Celebrations Across Chicagoland
In addition to the Navy Pier gathering, the celebrations continued on Sunday, June 22, at Gurukul Swaminarayan Temple in Arlington Heights. The session—led by yoga instructors Jignesh and Hina Dixit—was co-organized by FIA-Chicago, ICNT, USPC, and Gurukul Swaminarayan, with the support of the Consulate General. The temple’s serene ambiance provided a perfect setting for practicing asanas and fostering community connection.
The event also featured a powerful gesture of unity when both FIA groups came together to receive a certificate of appreciation from the Consulate General—a symbolic moment that celebrated collaboration and cultural solidarity.
A dedicated team from Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) led the yoga session with focused discipline and devotion, enhancing the spiritual depth of the day’s practice.
Yoga’s Reach Expands Across the Midwest
Beyond the central Chicago events, IDY 2025 celebrations rippled across the Midwest. With active support from the Consulate, additional yoga sessions were organized in: Niles Township, IL – Led by Mindful Meditation and United Senior Pariwar,University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL – Yoga on the historic Main Quad,St. Louis, MO – Hosted by the St. Louis Indian Cultural Association, Indiana – Organized by Chinmaya Mission, Pewaukee, WI – Sanskriti’s regional celebration, Michigan – Multiple cities including Troy, Novi, Canton, and Farmington Hills, Iowa – Indo American Association of Iowa in Johnston
These diverse events—held in temples, universities, parks, and wellness centers—reflected yoga’s universal appeal and its growing integration into American mainstream culture.