Here we are, for the 2nd celebration of International Yoga Day. Many nations have already started their preparations for this celebration and newskarnataka.com spoke to a few dignitaries of Karnataka at UAE to know their views on IYD. Let’s see what our leaders say about it.

James Mendonca

Managing Director – Reliable Fabricators, Dubai
                                                                              James Mendonca 

These days’ people are generally health conscious and are trying various forms of exercise. But Yoga is considered to be one of the best forms of holistic exercise. It is said practicing yoga is connecting with your higher self. Originating from India it is now popular worldwide. The popularity of yoga is evident in the celebration of the 2nd International yoga day and I am glad that the UAE is also encouraging and supporting yoga. One will find yoga studios everywhere. It is a powerful yet calming form of exercise. I have myself tried yoga and practiced it for a while. I felt that the results are not just physical but mental too. I believe that yoga should be encouraged from an early age. If children were encouraged to practice yoga as a part of their school program it could help in building better mind and body.

Sudhir Kumar Shetty

President – UAE Exchange
                                                                           Sudhir Kumar Shetty

The word Yoga means union. The science of yoga is a perfect panacea for physical, psychological and spiritual well-being of an individual. The right practice can have a positive impact on health, career and relationships, enhancing positivity and improving lifestyle.

This science, originated in India centuries ago, has caught the fancy of the entire world, resulting in a special day dedicated to it – the International Yoga Day. This special day is observed worldwide including the UAE. The first time it was observed here, it was a huge success with many practitioners and enthusiasts coming together. Since then it has become a movement of sorts and is fast catching up with the younger generation too across communities. In today’s stress-filled living far away from the homeland, Yoga is a great way to stay rooted, happy and healthy.

I wish this movement to spread farther, wider and deeper into the cultures of every community and strengthen the society with good health, well-being and happiness. I wish the 2nd International Yoga Day all success.

Praveen Shetty

Director – Fortune Group of Hotels
                                                                                Praveen Shetty

In a modernized world, people are more conscious about their health and good living habits. Spending time in a gym and doing heavy workouts was an unhappy choice for people to stay fit. But Yoga has created such a great alternative way to stay healthy and fit with its easy and less effort oriented moves. A self-motivated and trained person can perform different asanas at ones home without spending huge money at a gym or health centers.

So initiation of International Yoga day is an inspiration to thousands of people who want to live happy life without any health problems. I congratulate organizers and participants for this wonderful program. Let’s make Yoga as a part of our daily routine so that we can build healthy body and healthy nation.

Deepak Paladka

Actor (Nirel, Dhand & Ek Aslyar Ek Na fame)
                                                                               Deepak Paladka

Yoga in daily life is a system of practice which consists eight levels of development in the areas of physical, mental, social and spiritual health.When the body is physically healthy, the mind is clear, focused and stress is under control.

Now a days many nations practice yoga.So celebrating international yoga day is very important as it highlights importance of yoga in our day today life regardless of any nation we belong to. I have already enrooted Yoga in my daily life and it has helped me to understand my internal strength and it reflects in my external activities. I become more energetic and self-motivated and hope everybody has experienced the same.

Let us all be a part of the International yoga day.

Prabhakar Ambalthere

President – Marga Deepa Samskrathika Samithi, Dubai
                                                                          Prabhakar Ambalthere

Yoga rejuvenates and refreshes our mind, body and soul. It brings peace and tranquility into entire society and the whole world. It is a path towards world peace and harmony. My hearty wishes to all participants on this memorable day.

Raghuram Shetty

Director – India House Restaurant, Ajman
                                                                              Raghuram Shetty

Yoga is a powerful tool for a positive change in lifestyle. It will bring changes in physical strength and it boosts internal power as well. These changes will inspire to believe our own true strengths and potentials which will create miracles in life. I am inspired with Yoga and happy to be a part of International yoga Day.

Prakash Rao Payyar

President – Dhwani Pratishtana, Dubai
                                                                             Prakash Rao Payyar

India is a nation where nature is worshipped as God by naming it in the form of man or woman. In India understanding the nature and following it is a way of life. Yoga is a path through which an individual can discover his sense of oneness with nature. It embodies unity of the mind and the body, thought and action, restraint and fulfillment. According to yoga, each and every matter is throbbing with life energy – that energy is consciousness itself and that consciousness is just a part of the Super Consciousness or God Reality.

Yoga is the way of life in India now accepted by the whole world. United Nation has declared June 21 as ‘Yoga Day’. Being an Indian celebrating Yoga Day is a very happy and proud moment for me and my family. In my opinion all Indian irrespective of caste, religion or creed must support Yoga day. Yoga has nothing to do with religion.

Vinay Kumar Naik

In charge – Namma TV Middle East
                                                                           Vinay Kumar Naik

Yoga is the only form of exercise which can be performed by any gender without any age limit. The varieties of different asanas of Yoga are scientifically proven as the best medicine for various diseases. When it comes to health, there is no difference of any religion or caste in Yoga. Yoga is the best and easy medicine for good health. International Yoga Day made thousands of people to think to stay fit and healthy and they implemented Yoga as their fitness tool. I wish everyone to utilize the richness of Yoga.

Irshad Moodabidri

Poet – Dubai
                                                                              Irshad Moodabidri

The 2nd international Yoga Day, Dubai chapter will be lead by international fame Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev. He has made Yoga art more famous with his presentations. Having a motto of healthy life with yoga, Baba Ramdev has created crores of followers all over the world. His initiation in Dubai also created magical response from the people here and I wish everyone should practice this art for a healthy living.

Gunasheel Shetty

Director – Ace Cranes, Dubai
                                                                              Gunasheel Shetty

I am practicing Yoga from my childhood and I am happy to express my thoughts about it. Yoga is the only activity that can be practiced from age 4 till you are able to perform it. It does not need any gear of contraptions as in other physical fitness activities. Many families are practicing this miracle art together which will enhance family bonding and values. Yoga will teach us the right way of breathing along with providing not just the musculoskeletal workout but in the process massaging and stimulating organs in the body as well.

An ancient Indian practice that has been passed down generations with a view to human’s total well being. It is holistic in nature and enriches the mind and soul. Not just the body. Yoga is the only known activity that cures and curtails diseases like hypertension, diabetes, stomach disorders, spinal disorders, forms of cancer and stress to name a few.

Apart from physical wellness, Yoga involves with spiritual richness which will teaches us tolerance, patience, calmness, enhance the way of life, increases focus, makes you passionate about living, relaxes the mind and opens up positive and creative thinking.

We are fortunate to have a Sister who is a qualified Yoga trainer who assists us with our routines. I have personally gained much from practicing yoga. In order to share the vision of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his initiative that made a World Yoga Day possible, we have decided to offer this form of holistic gain and form in the guise of a school in Dubai, UAE. We are glad to announce the opening of our first Yoga studio at Al Nada in Dubai called Namaste Yoga.

I am happy with initiative of International yoga day and I wish all a healthy future ahead.

Dr Rashmi Nandakishore

Managing Director – Riva Laser Medical Center, Dubai
                                                                         Dr Rashmi Nandakishore

Lack of exercise and sedentary lifestyle has led to various diseases in all age groups. Diseases and disorders affect healthy lifestyle and limit our productivity. Encouraging regular exercise and promoting healthy life style is the prime responsibility of the government and public. Yoga is proved and tested over ages for its immense capacity to discipline mind and body. With regular yoga we can control and treat various disorders like diabetes, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy etc. Group yoga encourages and motivates people to be consistent in their exercise. Regular mass yoga is a great initiative taken by His Highness to promote yoga and in turn promote healthy living. Both kids and adults should be motivated to attend and practice yoga on a regular basis. Hearty congratulations to organizers and participants of International Yoga Day.