The Indian spiritual, physical and mental practice is growing in popularity across Russia, even as Russians adapt the discipline to their living conditions and lifestyles.
It came as a surprise to few when Russia decided to co-sponsor the India-initiated United Nations Resolution to mark June 21 as the International Day of Yoga. Russias most famous practitioner of the Indian spiritual, physical and mental discipline is Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, under whose presidency in 2004-8, yoga gained immense popularity in the country.
The Indian diplomatic missions in Russia are partnering with regional governments, the Yoga Federation of Russia, socio-cultural organisations and Yoga centres to organize events across the country on June 21. The biggest such event is being organized in Moscows historic Sokolniki Park, where over 3000 people are expected to gather for a yoga demonstration.
Other Russian cities are also celebrating the day with enthusiasm. Vladivostok is expected to have more than a thousand participants in its program. The mayor of the Siberian city of Novosibirsk assured Indian Ambassador P.S. Raghavan that special zones would be set up in parks to hold yoga demonstrations.
