Yoga, Indian classical dances performed at Capitol Hill

Indian classical dances and demonstration of popular yoga asanas on the lawns of magnificent US Congress today kicked off the week-long International Day of Yoga clebrations here.
Yoga enthusiasts and health conscious Americans turned up in large number to enjoy dance forms like Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi and Mohiniattam and flex their muscles under the guidance of trained yoga instructors.
The event was organised by Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh in association with India International School & Cultural Center, with the support of Embassy of India.
This was part of the series of events being held across the country to commemorate the second International Day of Yoga on June 21.

Welcoming yoga enthusiasts, Indian Ambassador to the US, Arun K Singh, referred to the historic speech made by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to a joint session of the Congress in which he had mentioned the important role being played by yoga in cultural connect between people of the two countries.
"Yoga in a way brings together, body, mind and soul to deal with the challenges that we face as individuals as part of the society," Singh said.

"United States is proud to join in International Day of Yoga," said H Das from the National Security Council, the White House, in his remarks on the occasion.

"Yoga for us is a family affair," said Manpreet Singh Anand, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs.
Yoga has not only become global, but is also inclusive.
"You will find people from different faiths, different backgrounds, religion, races all coming together to practice yoga and creating that culture of inclusivity," Singh told the gathering.
The practice of yoga in the US, he said was introduced by Swami Vivekananda some 125 years ago.
Over the course of the last century it has blossomed and today over 30 million Americans practice yoga.
"Perhaps, what I appreciate the most about yoga is how it connects people. In the yogic sense one of the central aspects is....Able to create the physical and spiritual; spiritual and physical connectedness. I think that connection can be so deep and so beneficial, when you are able to combine your body, mind and your soul and connect all three," Singh said.