SHIMLA: From the shivering climes of world’s highest battlefield in Siachen Glacier to scorching Mysuru in Karnataka, from The Ridge in Shimla to Dong in Arunachal Pradesh, Nation joined over 170 countries across the world, practicing and celebrating 8th International Yoga Day on June 21.
Apart from the soldiers, Karmayogis of Border Roads Organisation(BRO), who keep our lifelines running in harsh weather in the Himalaya hold a series of Yoga sessions against the stunning backdrop of snowy Himalayas, performing different Assan to join nation in celebration of Yoga Day.
The Art of Living foundation with thousands joining the sessions, practiced yoga together at iconic locations worldwide in over 170 countries.
The theme of this year’s festivity was #PromiseToYoga, an initiative to promote more conscious and healthy lifestyles.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who led the session at Mysuru called Yoga an "invaluable gift of India's ancient tradition" and called for the "harmony between man and nature" in his address.
In Himachal over 250 teachers of the Art of Living - Himachal conducted sessions for more than 50000 people across the state.
High Court Judges, Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan, Justice Vivek Singh Thakur, Justice Chander Bhusan Barowalia and Justice Satyen Vaidya participated in the International Yoga Day Celebrations.
On this occasion, Ashok Sharma, Advocate General, Ajay Kochhar, Chairman, Bar Council of Himachal Pradesh, Lovneesh Kanwar, President Bar Association, H.P. High Court and Balram Sharma, Assistant Solicitor General of India, were also present. Registrar General Shri Virender Singh, other Registrars of the High Court, Central Project Co-ordinator and officers and officials of the Registry, also participated in the event.
The Art of Living organisation in partnership with various ministries conducted Yoga sessions at four iconic venues of Himachal Pradesh.
These were graced by Dharmendra Pradhan, minister of education at ancient fort of Kangra; Anurag Singh Thakur, Minister of Sports, information & broadcasting Katoch palace of Sujanpur; Pankaj Chaudhary, Minister of State(Finance); Nitish Pramanik, Minister of State Sports at Parashar lake at Mandi and Atal tunnel at Rohtang.
“Art of Living faculty members also conducted yoga sessions for government & private schools, universities government offices across the states from Lahaul Spiti and Kinnaur to Chamba", said Kamlesh Barwal, CEO - Art of Living's Yoga wing, Sri Sri Yoga. 
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Global Humanitarian, Spiritual Leader, and Founder of The Art of Living said, “We are going through a very tough time in the world today after two years of the pandemic and then the war and inflation have really taken a toll on human life and the suffering has increased, Yoga is the way to find the inner strength to sail over this tough time and to be more creative and productive in our endowment.”
Events were held by the organization globally in Rwanda - Africa, Azerbaijan, Atlanta, and Beirut - Lebanon. Union Minister of India Hon. Piyush Goyal and Ambassador of Santosh Jha attended the event in Brussels - Belgium. 
Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur who led Yoga session on The Ridge in Shimla said art of practicing yoga helps in controlling an individual's mind, body and soul, besides bringing together physical and mental discipline to achieve a peaceful body and mind.
Jai Ram Thakur said it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who proposed the idea for an International Yoga Day during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly in 2014.
International Yoga Day Function was also organized in collaboration with the Department of AYUSH and Yoga Department of Himachal Pradesh University at Raj Bhavan, Shimla today. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar presided over the function. 
Officials of Raj Bhavan practiced yoga under the supervision of Dr. Satya Prakash, Professor, Yoga Department of HP University. The Governor also performed yoga.
Governor said that yoga was our rich tradition coming before the world today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, through his effective efforts, put this method of practice before the world and they understood that it was not associated with any religion or system of worship.
He said that yoga gives physical and mental peace and strength. It needs to be made a part of your daily routine, he said.
“If we forget our specialties, then how can we become Vishwaguru. We should not give up our traditions”, said the Governor.
Earlier, Dr. Satya Prakash presented a book written by him 'Hat Yog ke Aadhar evm Prayog' to the Governor. He also presented 'Yoga Protocol' and a CD of the Department of AYUSH. The Governor released the first Newsletter of the Yoga Department of HP University. He also released the booklet on Yogic Management for Non-Communicable Diseases.
