Times Square Celebrates First International Yoga Day
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- On a soggy Sunday morning, thousands ushered in the summer solstice in Times Square by taking part in an all-day yoga event.
As WCBS 880's Marla Diamond reported, amid the construction fences, rumbling buses and the occasional honking taxi, thousands in Spandex filled Times Squares' pedestrian plazas Sunday morning for moments of serenity.
PHOTOS: International Day Of Yoga In Times Square
"It's great," said Vivian Buoy, of Brooklyn. "You're in the middle of New York City -- the crossroads of the world -- and it's almost serene, like a second of sereneness."
The event, sponsored by Athleta, is the centerpiece of the United Nations' first International Day of Yoga. Many believe that yoga, the ancient form of exercise, is the best way to calm the mind and the best form of exercice for the body.
Some said they didn't mind that the sunrise salutation was a bit damp.
First International Day Of Yoga Celebrated In Times Square
"Doesn't matter," said Nicole, who came from Germany. "It had a good energy. It was even more interesting that so many people came."
One woman, however, admitted it wasn't exactly a zen place.
While Sunday is the inaugural International Day of Yoga, it's the 13th consecutive year Times Square has hosted a mass yoga session on the year's longest day.
Meanwhile Sunday, Rajashree Choudhury, founder of the U.S. Yoga Federation and author of "Rajashree's Pregnancy Yoga," stopped by the CBS2 studios to lead a mini yoga session with a few moms-to-be.
"If you can start yoga when you're pregnant, then you don't have to worry about it (stress) when they're born ... because mental health is very important," Choudhury told CBS2's Elise Finch.
To watch the interview and session, click on the video player above.
For more information on Choudhury's book, visit rajashree.com.
