International Day of Yoga Celebrations, 21 June 2025 in Iceland
Mission celebrated the 11th "International Day of Yoga" (IDY) on 21st June 2025 at Reykjavik City Hall. The Yoga day celebrations was conducted by India based yoga teacher from ICCR in partnership with Reykjavik City Hall and local Yoga Studios. The participants included Icelandic nationals, Indian community members, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Yoga enthusiasts and visitors who were present at the venue during the event. Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) sessions were also organised in other cities in Iceland such as Ísafjörður , Akureyri and Selfoss.
2. The Yoga events raised interest amongst the local population towards the practice of Yoga, meditation and holistic living. Mission received sponsorship from Icelandic companies such as IcelandAir, Lysi and Coripharma for procuring the t-shirts and CYP booklets, which were distributed among the participants. An article was published in the Icelandic Newspaper MBL written by Shri R Ravindra, Ambassador of India to Iceland titled “One Earth, One Health”. For the purpose of publicity, promotion and to reach out to the Icelandic population, Mission translated the CYP Booklet into Icelandic which was unveiled by Ms Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir, Mayor of Reykjavik at the event on 21 June. The event was also graced by Captain Dilip Donde, first Indian solo circumnavigator and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, sailing legend. The program elements for the event on 21 June included a Yoga Asana performance by the children from the Indian Community in Iceland, song performance by Multi Kulti Women’s Choir and meditation. The program was attended by 120 plus people and was covered by the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service, RUV.
3. Mission organised 20 other events leading up to the IDY 2025. The details of other events are as given in table below:
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List of IDY events in Iceland (2025)
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S.No
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City & Venue
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Number of participants
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Details of event
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1
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Reykjavik (Tungata 7)
|
30
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A curtain raiser event to mark 75 days countdown to the 11th IDY.
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|
2
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Reykjavik MH College
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20
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CYP workshop.
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|
3
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University of Akureyri
|
50
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CYP workshop. The workshop was held in the University premises for faculty members and students on summer internship.
|
|
4
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Botanical Garden, Akureyri
|
35
|
CYP workshop
|
|
5
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Reykjavik (Harpa)
|
100
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A curtain raiser event to mark 50 days countdown to the 11th IDY.
|
|
6
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Reykjavik Atlantik DMC
|
30
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CYP workshop. Atlantik is a destination management company and focuses on Cruise Markets.
|
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7
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Reykjavik (Harpa)
|
100
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A curtain raiser event to mark 25 days countdown to the 11th IDY.
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|
8
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City Library, Hafnarhus
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20
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CYP workshop.
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|
9
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City Library, Hafnarfjarðar
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20
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CYP workshop.
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|
10
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City Library, Seltjarnarnes
|
15
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CYP workshop.
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|
11
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City Library, Landsbókasafn
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15
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CYP workshop.
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|
12
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City Library, Grófinn
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20
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CYP workshop.
|
|
13
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City Library, Spöngin
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15
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CYP workshop.
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|
14
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Grund Nursing Home
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30
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CYP workshop. The participants were residents of the Nursing Home.
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|
15
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LA Art Museum, Hveragerði
|
30
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CYP workshop. The event included staff members from the Art Museum, local Yoga enthusiasts and local community members from Hveragerði.
|
|
16
|
Ísafjörður
|
30
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CYP workshop. The invitees included members of the Ísafjörður city council, yoga enthusiasts and tourists present at the venue. It was the first time Mission conducted a Yoga event in Ísafjörður.
|
|
17
|
Reykjavik (Harpa)
|
100
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Pre IDY Event.
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|
18
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Reykjavik (Botanical Garden)
|
50
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11th IDY Event on 22 June.
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|
19
|
Art of Yoga
|
30
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Mission hosted a Yoga wellness workshop on 18 June 2025 in collaboration with Art of Yoga studio.
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|
20
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Ást og Friður
|
30
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Mission in association with Ást og Friður, hosted a Yoga and Ayurveda Wellness Workshop at Reykjavik City Hall on 11 June, 2025.
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4. The Yoga Day events were organised all through out the month of June and were very well received by the locals and tourists alike. Mission will continue the momentum and organise more Yoga outreach programs in the coming months. Pictures of the events are attached in the email.
