Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 5 CITY VIEWS June 12, 2026 S olstice in Times Square: Mind Over Madness Yoga will return on June 21, 2026! Experienced yogis and first-timers alike are invited to join us for one of the free yoga classes taking place throughout the day on the Broadway pedestrian plazas, finding calm once again within the chaos of life in New York City. 2026 Full Schedule Can’t make it on the day of the event? Join us as we stream live with ASL interpretation on Youtube, Twitter & Face- book Live. Time Instructor Description 7:30am – 8:30am Ruchika Lal, presented by Consulate General of India, NY A sunrise practice presented by the Consulate General of India and led by the Art of Living Foundation. The session blends gentle asanas, guided breathwork, and meditation — a complete reset for body and mind as we step into the longest day of the year. Open to all levels. 9:30am – 10:30Am Riva Gdanski, presented by Gaiam A feel-good yoga flow that will get you out of your head & into your whole body. Prepare to bend, twist, & balance your way through this stimulating sequence. You’ll synchronize dynamic movements with mindful breath, creating a flow that cultivates the perfect balance of strength, mobility, intention, & grace. 11:30am – 12:30Pm Erica Stanzione Erica’s soulful vinyasa classes are spiri- tual, thought-provoking, and are always set to carefully curated, high-energy playlists that will leave you feeling joyous, invigorated, and truly empowered! 1:30pm – 2:30pm Divya Balakrishnan In this class Divya leads us through en- ergizing breath work, a flow including sun salutations, standing postures and balanc- es, and closes with a centering medita- tion. This practice will use the solstice as an invitation to find stillness within effort and deep presence at the turning point of the year. All levels welcome. 3:30pm – 4:30pm Patrick Franco Join Patrick in a class that will move with rhythm, precision, and curiosity… balancing strong flow with moments to slow down, explore, and be present. Expect clear direction, purposeful move- ment, and room to wander and play… equal parts rhythmic movement, effort- less breathing, and threading the needle between effort and ease. 5:30pm – 6:30pm Rodney Yee & Colleen Saidman Yee Come together with a wonderfully designed yoga sequence that will cultivate a “be here now” ability, so we can fully absorb the union of being in the heart of NYC on the solstice. It will be fun, ap- proachable, challenging but most of all exhilarating and full of joy. 7:30pm – 8:30pm Douglass Stewart Douglass leads an All Levels slow flow yoga class, designed to ground, invigorate and inspire. The flow incorporates modi- fications and allows for advanced expres- sions of the poses throughout. Yoga In Times Square 2026 Hundreds of New Yorkers gathered at Times Square June 20, 2025, for the 11th International Day of Yoga. PHOTO:X @INDIAINNEWYORK By timessquarenyc.org all walks of life. I look forward to participating in the vari- ous programs organized during this visit and to further advancing the message of health, harmony, and inner peace through yoga.” In a recent communication, Dr. N. K. Manjunath, Vice Chancellor of S-VYASA University, commended Prem Bhandari’s decade-long contribution to promoting yoga in the United States. He noted Bhandari’s role in organiz- ing yoga programs at the United Nations, bringing Dr. Nagendra to NewYork in 2018, facilitating the participa- tion of leading spiritual personalities in major Yoga Day events, and supporting international yoga education and research initiatives. Prem Bhandari expressed his gratitude to Dr. Nagendra and S-VYASA University for their continued guidance and support. “Yoga is India’s timeless gift to humanity. The global recognition of yoga received a historic boost through the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, whose initiative at the United Nations led to the declaration of June 21 as the International Day of Yoga. Today, yoga is celebrated across the world and has become a powerful symbol of peace, wellness, and harmony. For more than a decade, I have been privileged to work with community organizations, Indian diplomatic mis- sions, and yoga institutions to promote yoga across the United States. We are deeply honored to welcome Padma Shri Dr. H. R. Nagendra and Dr. N. K. Manjunath to New York. Their visit will inspire thousands of people and further strengthen yoga education, research, wellness initiatives, and cultural ties between India and the United States. Renowned Yog Guru Dr. H. R. Nagendra To Visit New York For International Day Of Yoga Celebrations Capitol Hill, Washington_ Dr. H. R. Nagendra, former Foreign Secretary and then Ambassador of India Harsh Vardhan Shringla, D. R. Mehta, Prem Bhandari, and other distinguished guests. PHOTOS:ORGANIZERS - Continued From Page 4