Sadhguru was at the UN for a 2-day event as part of the International Day of Yoga. A special talk at the UN General Assembly on June 20 was followed by a yoga session on June 21 at the United Nations Secretariat Circle in New York. Here's a recap of the two events.

June 20

Yoga for the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

On June 20, the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations organized a special event on 'Conversation with Yoga Masters - Yoga for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).' Adopted by world leaders and the UN, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) serve as a political vision and a collective blueprint for sustainable development for all countries and people. In an interview with Maxwell Kennedy, Sadhguru explains how yoga is key to finally achieving these long-standing goals.

The discussion was attended by delegates representing 135 nationalities, as well as Indian ambassador to the UN Syed Akbaruddin; Tao-Porchon Lynch, the world’s oldest living yoga teacher; and Yogmata Keiko Aikawa from Japan. Maxwell Kennedy, who conversed with Sadhguru on the topic of yoga for SDGs, shared that he was astonished and filled with hope by how receptive everyone was to Sadhguru's message and by the idea that so many people at the United Nations were taking up yoga and bringing the message to the rest of the UN and inevitably to their home countries.

An excerpt from Sadhguru’s talk at the United Nations on June 20 about its 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Watch the full UN talk at webtv.un.org

Media Coverage of Sadhguru's Talk at UN on June 20

Indian Express - 'Yoga is not Indian', says Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev at United Nations ...

Times of India - Yoga is India's gift to the world, says Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev ...

UN.org - United Nations News Centre - On International Yoga Day, Ban ...

Mathrubhumi - Yoga Day – Sadhguru's talk at United Nations - Jaggi Vasudev

Financial Express - International Yoga day: Spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev ...

EconomicTimes - Yoga is India's gift to the world, says Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev - The ...

Patch.com - Isha Founder Sadhguru to Lead UN Yoga Session on International ...

Ministry of AYUSH, India - LIVE WEBSTREAM of Sadhguru At United Nations | Ministry of Ayush

Rediff.com - Yoga is India's gift to the world, says Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev at UN ...

IndiaTVNews - Yoga is science and science cannot be Indian, Sadhguru tells UN in ...

NewIndianExpress - Seven minutes with the Sadhguru - The New Indian Express

DiyaTVUSA - Sadhguru Vasudev founder of Isha Vidhya says “Yoga is not Indian ...

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June 21

Sadhguru Leads Yoga Session at the United Nations for 2nd International Day of Yoga

Watch Sadhguru leading the Yoga Session at webtv.un.org

On a sunny Tuesday afternoon in New York, 800 enthusiastic participants gathered at the United Nations Secretariat Circle to learn Isha Upa-Yoga from Sadhguru as part of the second International Day of Yoga (IDY) celebrations on June 21. The UN event was preceded on Monday by an In-Conversation event with Sadhguru and author and activist Maxwell Kennedy on the topic 'Yoga for the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals'.

This year, the UN headquarters lit up for the second IDY in more ways than one, with yoga postures projected on the side of the building and events organized by the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations in partnership with the Department of Public Information, United Nations.

IDY on 21st June dawned with clear skies. The front lawn of the UN headquarters was temporarily transformed into an open air yoga studio lined with 800 cobalt blue yoga mats courtesy of the Permanent Mission of India to the UN. The participants were also given complimentary t-shirts and caps embroidered with the words 'Yoga for Peace and Harmony'. There was a palpable sense of excitement as the audience awaited the start of the event, despite a sweltering afternoon sun.

The event began with a soulful invocation rendered by Tanya Wells and the Seven Eyes music group, followed by a welcome note from Indian ambassador to the UN Syed Akbaruddin. Chief Guest for the event, President of the UN Mogens Lykketoft, stated that, given yoga's appeal to people of all backgrounds, strengths and capabilities, it can serve to strengthen our sense of oneness and unity with each other and with nature. Under Secretary General Christina Gallach then delivered a message from the UN Secretary General which urged the global community to celebrate this day and every day as one human family sharing a precious home.

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Sadhguru then led the participants in an Isha Upa-Yoga session, explaining that Upa-Yoga is a simple process which aligns ones energies with the larger aspect of existence. He also said that the practices can be used to reduce rigidity and friction in the system, making the body efficient and a joy to be in. The practices taught to the participants can be accessed at yogayoga.org.

The event ended with a vegetarian lunch provided by Isha Foundation which included a light and refreshing moong salad, lemon poha and a sweet ball made of dates and nuts.

Media Coverage of  Yoga Session Led by Sadhguru at UN on June 21

NDTV - Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev To Lead Yoga Session At UN On Second ...

Business Standard - More than 135 countries participating in Int'l Yoga Day is a record: Syed Akbaruddin

IPSNews - Yoga Unites the UN for Sustainable Development | Inter Press Service

DeccanChronicle - Sadhguru to lead yoga session at UN on 2nd International Yoga Day

IndiaPost - Sadhguru to lead yoga session at UN on 2nd Int'l Yoga Day | IndiaPost

TheHinduBusinessLine - Jaggi Vasudev to lead yoga session at UN on Yoga Day | Business ...

GG2 - Sadhguru leads yoga session at UN with 135 nationalities on 2nd ...

DeshGujarat - Sadhguru to lead yoga session at UN on 2nd International Yoga Day

SavourItAll - sadhguru | Savour It All

WellHotelCertification - Today is International Yoga Day | WellHotel® Certification

UN.org - United Nations News Centre - On International Yoga Day, Ban ...

UNMultimedia - Two billion people practice yoga "because it works" | United Nations ...

PMINewYork - International Day of Yoga celebration on 21 June 2016 @ UN

Jagran - Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev to lead yoga session at UN on 2nd ...

IndianPanorama - International Day of Yoga celebrated at the UN — The Indian ...

NavBharatTimes - Sadhguru to lead yoga session at UN on 2nd International Yoga Day

KhabarIndiaTV - Sadhguru to lead yoga session at UN on 2nd International Yoga ...

XinhuaNet - United Nations celebrates Int'l Yoga Day - Xinhua | English.news.cn

TheHindu - Jaggi's session at UN - IN SCHOOL - The Hindu

EuropaNewsWire - Sadhguru | Europa Newswire

UNLB.org - Privacy Policy

India.com - UN marks International Yoga Day, people from 135 nationalities ...

IndiaTribune - Yoga postures light up UN headquarters ahead of International ...

EasternEye.EU - Eastern Eye International News Magazine | Online World News

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