Om All Over Belize For International Day of Yoga

June 21st is the longest day of the year AND, officially, International Day of Yoga.  Small groups…groups as large as 50,000…gather around the world to…take it down a level.

Yoga is many things.  It’s an ancient tradition, it’s about unity of the mind and body, it can be a work out regime.  The word “yoga” means “to yoke” or “to unite” in Sanskrit.  (Rebecca means the same thing in Hebrew!)

The point is that it is many things.  You don’t need to be able to touch your toes to enjoy it.  You don’t need to consider yourself spiritual to get something out of it.  You don’t need to wear tie-dyed stretchy clothes or do wheatgrass shots to fit in.

To me, it’s about slowing the hamster wheel in my head for just a few minutes.  People around the world have known the benefits of this for decades…centuries…I’m very slowly catching on.

Sunday morning, groups gathered around Belize to learn a bit about the history of yoga and to try some of the basic poses.  And just be together – to unite.  Thursday, the official day, there will be a few more sessions.

Here are a few pictures from San Pedro at Ak’Bol Eco Resort and Yoga Retreat – a good sized group.  It was the first time I’ve done yoga will 50 people!  And some other spots around the country.

Hazy and windy but still the most beautiful spot to just sit and empty your mind.

Belmopan, Belize’s Capital – I love that they can still focus with basketball being played right next to them!

Down at GORGEOUS NAIA Resort and Spa in Placencia, Belize.  If you haven’t read about my visit there, take a look.  It’s a special spot.

Orange Walk aka Sugar City in the north.

And in Belize City.  Another big group.

In Belize City, the class warmed up with a new instructor.  She recently gained her International Yoga Certification while at the Kolbe Foundation at Belize City Prison from Rhythm of Change – a non profit organization here in Belize that teaches classes to those in need.  They teach meditation and yoga to those in prison and at-risk kids at Belize Youth Hostel.

It’s hard to think of more important work.

So amazing.  I love it.  The 4th Annual International Day of Yoga in Belize.

Slowing it down a bit.  Taking a pause before action.  Take a deep breath.  Observe rather than act.

We aren’t even close to the 55,000+ that broke the world record last year in India for last year’s IYD.  That was just ONE gathering in Mysuru, India.

But for a tiny country over 9000 miles away from the birth place of yoga?  I think Belize did amazing.