The US House of Representatives has given official recognition to the “Surya Namaskar Yajna” or “Health for Humanity Yogathon”, on the occasion of its 10th anniversary. Providing his confirmation to the House on Wednesday, Congressman Bill Foster from Illinois said, “Mr Speaker, I rise today to recognize Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh’s (HSS) tenth annual “Health for Humanity Yogathon” or “Surya Namaskar Yajna.”
Providing details about the Yajna, Foster said, “Surya Namaskar integrates simple yoga postures in ten steps that along with teaching easy breathing techniques, can provide immense health benefits to both the body and the mind.”
“Each year, Hindus worldwide celebrate January 14th as Makar Sankranti–a day that marks the change of season as the sun enters the sign of Capricorn or Makar. To mark this occasion, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh has organized the “Yoga for Health, Health for Humanity Yogathon” from January 14 to January 29,” Foster said.
The Surya Namaskar Yajna will be a 16-day event and will seek to spread awareness about yoga and its effectiveness in helping people achieve a healthy body, mind and spirit. This health initiative was launched in 2006. Since its inception, the program has witnessed increased participation from people in more than 40 states. People with diverse individual faiths and beliefs have come to take part in this health initiative and have collectively performed more than 4 million Surya Namaskars till date.