Namaste, Asheville. DYK: There are 20+ yoga studios in Asheville offering styles including restorative, vinyasa, hot power, yin + more? Today is the International Day of Yoga, and we’re celebrating all of them – and all of our local yogis. 🧘

The International Day of Yoga was proclaimed in 2014 by India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and then adopted by the United Nations, who recognized that “yoga provides a holistic approach to health and well-being.” The resolution was endorsed by 175 member states – a record.
It’s the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere – a.k.a. the longest day of the year. In the Hindu tradition, the second full moon after the solstice was when the god (and first yogi) Shiva shared his knowledge of yoga with the world.
This year’s theme, chosen by the United Nations, is Climate Action.

In honor of the day and our yoga-loving community, we asked you to submit a picture of your yoga practice, doing your favorite pose, and tell us why you love yoga.

“This photo expresses the transcendent joy that yoga brings to my life. I became reacquainted with yoga after having a heart attack in January of 2017. I started by doing yoga in a chair in my cardiac-rehab program. That practice, along with a healthy diet, exercise, and tremendous support from my beloved wife Essie, allowed me to fully recover from a near-fatal experience. Later that year I underwent chemotherapy for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Yoga was again, fundamentally important to my health and well-being at that time.

Today I am 50 pounds lighter, and healthier that I've been in years. My yoga practice now includes vinyasa flow classes which continue to build strength and flexibility while bringing a peaceful ease to my life.” – Curt S.

“Fourteen years ago yoga left a footprint that I never thought would have quite an influence on who I was to become. Now after almost five years of teaching I'm still continuously learning and have the utmost rewarding opportunity to share the wisdom of yoga, meeting and watching transformation arise in so many unique individuals. What a beautiful life yoga is!” – Ceiara C.

“Have you seen a downward dog any cuter than this? :) :) It’s my dog Shiva.” – Ariane K.

“This is Hand to Big toe posture!” – Karin K.

“What started as a 30-day yoga challenge on January 1, 2018 has yet to end. A year and I half later, my daily yoga practice remains invaluable; whether it’s 10 minutes at home or an hour and a half class at a studio. To give back to the yoga community, I now volunteer weekly at Asheville Community Yoga’s Zen & Now thrift store.” – Ariane K.

“I call this my ‘sobriety tree pose’ at Oskar Blues Brewery.” – Kevin S.

“Yoga retreat in Fiji, August 2015. Sitting in meditation overlooking the bay in Savusavu on the island of Vanua Levu Bula!” – Joyel O.

“Mark and me in tree pose on Indian Rocks Beach in Florida.” – Susan O.

“I started yoga when I was a 17-year-old high school basketball player. Since then, I have used yoga to not only benefit my physical form, but to bring inner mental and emotional balance through my practice and into my life. Now as a teacher, I strive to share that inner + physical balance with my students. Inhale, exhale, repeat.” – Audra G.

Vasisthasana (side plank) has always been one of my favorite poses. I love the combination of strength and grace that happens naturally when I’m playing with it – even when my balance won’t cooperate! Balance poses have always been my favorite to practice and teach. The feeling of calm they give me and my students is one of the best things ever. Thanks to Rose Photo and Pure Yoga Asheville for this photo!” – Ali M.

“That one time I did aerial yoga, got motion sickness(?!), and decided I prefer my poses on the ground. #namastedownhere.” – Kayla M.

“Dancer pose on Miami Beach! This is my favorite pose because of how many aspects of the body it helps stretch, strengthen, and open.” – Justine P.

“Even the UNC Asheville Men’s Basketball team does yoga. Here they all are relaxing in savasana.” –Audra G.

Poll

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