On June 21, 2018, around ten thousand people worldwide celebrated the fourth International Day of Yoga. In Switzerland, the M.A. Center Foundation in Flaach and the Indian Embassy in Bern organized a festive yoga night at the Ziegelhütte Seminar Center. This event helped to expand authentic yoga in Switzerland.
“Yoga is the path to living a calm, creative, and content life. It can lead the way by dispelling tensions and pointless fears,” said India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Twitter.
At his suggestion, the United Nations proposed the resolution, and 193 countries unanimously passed it. Thus, June 21 was declared the International Day of Yoga.
Visit of the Indian Ambassador in Switzerland — April 2018
Prior to the June 21, 2018, IDY celebrations, the Indian Ambassador in Switzerland, George Sibi, visited the Ziegelhütte. The program included presentations about the center’s activities, the charitable organization Embracing the World and a tour of the 240-year-old building.
Theresa Hadorn, Director of Ziegelhütte, and Werner Iser, President of the M.A. Center Switzerland, greeted Ambassador Sibi and his wife with a bouquet of flowers and introduced some of the volunteers of the seminar center.
“I am happy to be here, and thank you for the wonderful reception,” the Ambassador said.
The Ziegelhütte team gave presentations on M.A. Center Switzerland, the AYUDH youth organization, and the NGO Mata Amritanandamayi Math, whose charitable projects are summarized under the name Embracing the World.
The Ambassador was also impressed that the activities of Ziegelhütte were all being carried out by volunteers, including preparations for Amma’s annual visit to Winterthur.
“I know how challenging it can be to manage volunteer-based projects,” he said, “but I feel that everybody is very motivated and positive.”
**International Day of Yoga at the Ziegelhütte in Flaach **
Three representatives of the Indian Embassy came to the Ziegelhütte especially for this occasion, where they learned about Yoga and Ayurveda. To everyone’s surprise, they also gave away lovely yoga T-shirts. Almost 30 people came to learn more about yoga.
To quote Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma) on the value of yoga: “Yoga is the means to awaken boundless strength within and to realize one’s full potential by training body, mind, and spirit in an appropriate way.”
After an explanation of the history and meaning of yoga, participants had the opportunity to practice yoga under professional guidance through a special yoga sequence.
Afterward, singer Bijayasrii and pianist Bruno Steffen enchanted the visitors with beautiful Indian music. The evening ended with Indian snacks and lively conversations in the peaceful, secluded Ziegelhütte garden.
Those in or near Switzerland who wish to practice yoga are welcome to attend classes every Wednesday night or every two weeks on Thursday night at the Ziegelhütte. More information is available on the Ziegelhütte website.