FINAL 10th Yoga Day 2024

10th Annual International Day of Yoga at Štrbské pleso.
The High Tatras are among the most beautiful places in Slovakia, perhaps even in Europe. On the twenty-second of June 2024, they became the place of celebration of the International Day of Yoga. Yoga is the oldest system of physical and mental development. The most widespread yoga asanas - positions - have entered the teaching of physical education here in the West. We all know tadasana - stand, shirshasana - headstand, shavasana - lying position, head circling, forward bends, back bends, side bends, bridge, or plow, and so on. There are 8,400,000 exercises (asanas). These are psycho-somatic exercises associated with conscious breathing. When opening the chest, while circling the shoulders, we inhale, while contracting the chest, we exhale. At the same time, after each exercise, which is slow, we do not rush, we rest. Relaxation is just as important as body movement.
The celebrations took place in the aesthetically beautiful and comfortable Grand Hotel Kempinski. We practiced under the guidance of Ivan Malek on mats with a view of the High Tatras. Deep relaxation led by psychologist Anka Galovičová focused on this fascinating environment even during Saturday's rain. The founders of the Slovak-Indian Friendship Society, the main organizer of this year's International Day of Yoga at Štrbské Pleso. We thank the Indian Embassy in Slovakia, all co-organizers, followers and yoga practitioners from Liptovský Mikuláš, Poprad, Svit, Košice, Bánoviec nad Bebravou, as well as lecturer Libor from Ostrava, Anna from Bratislava and Daša from Zvolen.
Panel discussion at Kempinski Hotel and Bigbeng
On June 22, 2024, an extraordinary event took place in the hall of the Kempinski Hotel with a beautiful view of the High Tatras - a panel discussion as part of the 10th International Day of Yoga approved by the U.S.N. also a representative of the Slovak Republic. Together with Resolution 69 and 131, the right of every person on this planet to the highest standard of physical, mental, social and spiritual health through yoga. Why yoga? Because it is a millennia-proven functional system of exercises, focused on psycho-somatic bonding. To strengthen physical and mental health. And it was the strengthening of mental health that was the goal of the panel discussion. In the first part, the participants had the opportunity to experience the so-called golden triangle for one and a half hours, as doctors from the Czech Republic called the practice of asanas, breathing and relaxation exercises at the celebrations of the thirtieth year of Yoga in Daily Life on the campus in Brno (21 years ago). Currently, after the KOVID-19 pandemic and during the war in Ukraine, as Engineer Anna Szuhová informed us, up to 46% of people suffer from mental disorders, which is why these days the European Union has included mental health prevention and treatment among its priorities. Lecturer Libor from Ostrava emphasized that it is necessary to start with at least 1 minute of silence in the daily rush and stress. "Quieting the mind is the key to emotional balance. So that we don't succumb to negative thoughts and toxic emotions" - as emphasized by lecturer Dáša Malá Fabšíková, a coach focused on emotional intelligence of all age categories, including the youngest and children in primary and secondary schools. In particular, the present teachers, who have been practicing yoga for a long time and shared rich positive experiences with children, athletes at sports schools, gymnasium in Trenčín, or elementary schools, took part in the discussion. "Today we already know what needs to be done, how to strengthen physical and mental health. It is necessary to act. Start from yourself - that's the Big Bang." emphasized Anka Galovičová. At the same time, as the main organizer of this discussion, she thanked all experienced lecturers, participants, photographer Ivo Zajac and filmmaker Ferko Chudob, also for coming from afar during a strong storm. Many thanks to Mrs. General Director Kathrin Noll for creating the conditions for this type of, perhaps at that time, the most important activities for people in our regions, on the border with Ukraine and in Europe, involved in this war.