In a soulful celebration to rekindle yoga’s spiritual roots, over 200 people came together to celebrate the International Day of Yoga on June 22, 2025, in Great Neck, New York. Instead of yoga postures, they were introduced to the higher steps of the discipline that originated in India. 

The Spirit of Yoga event was co-hosted by Parveen Chopra, founder of ALotusInTheMud.com, and the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization.

Chopra played a video of the Lotus web mag he founded three years ago, and moderated the evening along with Erik Larson, Director, Brahma Kumaris WSO. Sister Anjani Seepersaud, Coordinator of the Global Harmony House venue, introduced them. 

While acknowledging that almost all Yoga Day programs and yoga studios focus only on asanas and pranayama, Chopra, in a statement, pointed out, “Asana practice will lead many to explore the spiritual side of yoga.”  

Both Mohini Didi, the Brahma Kumaris’ Chief Administrative Head, and Sister Gayatri Naraine, their NGO representative to the United Nations, spoke of their Raja Yoga meditation as the pathway to peace and happiness as we connect to the supreme and remember the eternal qualities of the soul.

India’s Consul General in New York Binaya Srikanta Pradhan was Chief Guest. He was represented by Piyush Singh – Consul, Press, Information, and Culture. Singh relayed the message from the Consulate: “We are privileged to support this inspiring initiative. The energy and intent that radiate from this gathering truly reflect the deeper essence of yoga. Not merely asanas, yoga is a profound spiritual discipline that harmonizes body, mind, and soul.”

Singh was introduced by Editor-Publisher of The Indian Panorama, Prof. Indrajit Singh Saluja, who mentioned that he was a witness earlier this month to a record 10,000 people attending a yoga session in San Pedro Carcha in Guatemala, organized by the Indian embassy there, even though only 100 Indian families live in that city. 

Eddie Stern, yoga instructor and founder of the Ganesha Temple in Manhattan, positioned postures in the 8-limb yoga discipline and led the audience in doing Brahma Mudra exercise.

Jennifer DeSena, Supervisor of the Town of North Hempstead, thanked Chopra and the Global Harmony House for hosting a meaningful celebration of Yoga Day, adding. “Yoga is not just movement—it’s a journey inward, a practice of stillness in a restless world.”

President of the World Vegan Vision (NY chapter), Rakesh Bhargava, discussed the vegan lifestyle and yoga. Dr Anjali Grover danced the story of yoga and Andonia Fthenakis presented sound bath meditation. 

Prominent people at the event included Prominent people at the event included Arvind Vora,  Chair of Shanti Fund and founding trustee of Lotus, Dr. Faroque Khan, Chair of Interfaith Institute of Long Island, Paul Chellani, head of the Sant Nirankari Mission – New York, Kamlesh Mehta – Chairman of The South Asian Times, Prof Saluja, Mohan Wanchoo, Mukund Padmanabhan, Chandra Bhansali, Rashmin Master, Jyoti Gupta and yoga teacher Anita Rana. 

Guests and volunteers enjoyed delicious vegetarian and vegan refreshments in the sunny outdoors.  

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