Set against the majestic backdrop of the NYC skyline along the Hudson River, Hoboken is gearing up for a special celebration on Pier A Lawn. The first International Day of Yoga Hoboken is happening on Friday, June 21st from 4PM to 9PM. The event honors the timeless tradition of yoga that originated in India and has now evolved into a worldwide practice. Designed to cultivate a positive mindset, inner peace, and connection — the event will feature soulful om chants on the pier, open-level vinyasa flows, a soothing sound bath for deep relaxation, and a rhythmic kirtan ceremony to close out the evening. Whether you are a seasoned yogi or just starting out on the mat, the event is open to all. Read on to learn more about the International Day of Yoga, and how to be a part of this first-of-a-kind celebration happening in Hoboken, New Jersey.
^ YogaRenew’s Fitness in the Park class
How International Day of Yoga Came to Be
The initiative for IDOY was originally proposed by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the United Nations in 2014 to promote global awareness about the benefits of yoga and encourage people across the world to make it a holistic way of living. The UN General Assembly passed a resolution that same year, declaring June 21st as the official day to recognize and celebrate this ancient practice. The date holds spiritual importance as it marks the time around Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, which is considered an auspicious period across many cultures to celebrate the start of something new.
“People come together from all over to celebrate this day, with events like Times Square’s annual Summer Solstice celebration. Inspired by this global spirit, we wanted to bring the magic across the Hudson to our community in Hoboken, and create a local connection for this international movement,” Radha said.
Read More: A Guide to Hoboken Yoga Studios
Radha Devi Om is the visionary behind the event and is co-hosting IDOY-Hoboken with Urban Souls Yoga Studio. The team has partnered with other local yoga studios such as Yoga Renew and Surya Yoga to run the event and is supported by generous local sponsors from the area. This year marks the 10th year of celebration of the International Day of Yoga and the theme is “Yoga for Self and Society”.
“Yoga has been a transformative practice that has brought me immense peace and joy, and the IDOY-Hoboken is a perfect way to spread peace and love with yoga studios and local businesses coming together, setting aside competition, to give back to the community” says Brendon Gibbons, co-founder of Urban Souls Yoga Studio.
The event brings together all forms of yoga — Karma Yoga (selfless service) with numerous volunteers working behind the scenes, Bhakti Yoga (devotional chanting), Pranayama (Meditation & Breathwork), and Physical postures (asanas).
Registration + Event Details
Registrations are mandatory to attend the event. All registrations are free, with an option to make a voluntary donation at checkout. People can attend a single session or multiple sessions with a single registration. All proceeds from the event will go towards StevensThon — a philanthropic organization dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children and families at Children’s Specialized Hospital, our local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. The goal is to ensure that all children, regardless of their financial situation, have access to the life-changing care they deserve.
The event begins at 4PM with a Rolling Om chanting led by Radha Devi Om, Brendon Gibbons, and Allie Vespa from Urban Souls Yoga Studio. With hundreds of participants joining this iconic celebration, the chanting aims to send positive vibrations around the Pier and align everyone into the divine frequency of the present moment before diving into the physical practice.
Next, there will be four distinct asana classes led by seasoned instructors, each one of them bringing in a unique intention and creativity to provide an enriching experience to everyone.
- Pranayama followed by Surya Namaskars A and B with Radha Devi Om from Radha Om Yoga | 4:30PM to 5PM
- Vinyasa Flow + Live Music with Kate Lombardo + Patrick Franco from Yoga Renew Studio | 5:15PM to 5:45PM
- Surya Namaskar — An inspired ladder flow connecting breath and movement with Allie Vespa from Urban Souls Yoga Studio | 6PM to 6:30PM
- Chanting Om, Chanting Guru Mantra, Moon Salutation, Surya Namaskar A and B + Class Emphasizing Back Bending with Jeff Scios from Surya Yoga Studio | 6:45PM to 7:15PM
Following this, there will be a 30-minute sound bath session from 7:30PM to 8PM led by Brendan Gibbons + Leigh Higgins from Urban Souls Yoga Studio and Roger Ansanelli, Ordained Minister. The use of various sound instruments creates powerful sound vibrations allowing people to enter a deep state of relaxation.
To wrap up the event, there is a spiritual kirtan jam led by Radha Devi Om. Kirtan is a collective singing group coming together to chant mantras — providing the chance to release, reconnect, and renew our energy.
There are currently 350+ registrations, and local businesses have joined forces to raffle off goodies worth $5000, giving every attendee a chance to win some amazing prizes. Additionally, participants can explore the ‘Yoga Village’ — a market-style setup on the pier where sponsors will display their services, while providing free samples and items for sale.
Additional Details + Reminders:
- Registrations are necessary if you wish to attend and can be done up to the day of the event.
- Email confirmations, either via mobile device or a printed copy must be shown upon entry.
- This is a BYOM (Bring Your Own Mat) and BYOW (Bring Your Own Water) event.
- There are no public restrooms at the site.
- The event will go on rain or shine. Stay tuned for the latest updates by following on Instagram.
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There is something absolutely wonderful about experiencing this global event making its way to Hoboken for the first time. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, International Day of Yoga-Hoboken is a celebration of the power of yoga to cultivate inner peace and balance in our fast-paced lives while bringing people together to foster a sense of community and well-being.
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