Our Bureau
Naperville, IL
The 11th International Yoga Day celebration in Chicagoland was a resounding success, radiating peace, prana, and purpose through every breath and posture. The event held on Jun 14, 2025 was led by Mindful Meditation Yoga under the dynamic leadership of President & Certified Yoga Guru Ms. Anu Malhotra, and FIA-Chicago under the visionary guidance of Chairman Mr. Sunil Shah. Together, they orchestrated a landmark celebration of unity, wellness, and spiritual elevation. Over 1000+ hearts gathered at The Matrix Club in Naperville to participate in Chicagoland’s largest International Yoga Day celebration — a powerful testament to the growing collective consciousness and commitment to holistic well-being.
The event was proudly sponsored by Mindful Meditation Yoga with FIA-Chicago, in collaboration with the Consulate General of India, Chicago, GSA Global Eye Magazine, American Multi Ethnic Commission USA, United Punjabis Of America, Indian American Medical Association, American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, Dr. Prakash Shah & Ketki Shah, Dr. Ashok Mehta, Dr. Nitin Malhotra & Dr. Neil Malhotra of Expert Pain Physicians & SKN Institute.
This grand celebration was graced by esteemed dignitaries, including: Congressman Bill Foster, Consul General of India Chicago Somnath Ghosh, Consul Sanjeev Kumar Pal, Honorable First Lady Lynda Wehrli, Naperville Councilman Ashfaq Hussain Syed, City of Aurora CIO Ram Tyagi, along with respected heads of community organizations and cultural leaders.
The program began with strict adherence to punctuality, setting the tone with spiritually uplifting solo and group yoga songs by talented singers and musicians of Chicagoland. More than 70 dedicated volunteers supported the event under the vibrant guidance of Yoga Guru Anu Malhotra, who led participants through a transformative practice of asanas, pranayama, and meditation, all while deepening awareness and inner alignment.
Celebrity emcee Simran Ahuja warmly welcomed Anu Malhotra to the stage, who delivered a brief yet powerful address and invited FIA Chairman Sunil Shah. Mr. Shah delivered a compelling message on the relevance of Yoga today and lauded Anu Malhotra for living and sharing the essence of Yogic wisdom with authenticity and compassion. Congressman Foster and Consul General Ghosh followed with inspirational messages, emphasizing how Yoga fosters balance, resilience, and well-being in everyday life.
A sacred Lamp Lighting Ceremony was performed by all dignitaries, Guest of Honors, sponsor organization heads to include Sunil Shah FIA – Chairman, Anu Malhotra, President Mindful Meditation Yoga, past FIA Presidents, Pratibha Jairath, Vinita Gulabani, Hitesh Gandhi and other respected leaders across Chicagoland’s diverse communities.
The event beautifully lived up to the principle that “Yoga is discipline and unity in motion.” It was seamlessly executed by 70 plus volunteers from Mindful Meditation Yoga, FIA-Chicago, and Sewa International, who ensured every element—from flow to logistics—was handled with devotion and precision. Renowned musician Navneet Malhotra accompanied the yoga session with soul-stirring live music, elevating the collective practice into a state of meditative bliss. The entire event was wrapped around melodious Yoga Geets performed by the renowned singers & musicians of Chicagoland which added blissful energy to it.
A highlight of the event was the deeply moving meditation session by Anu Malhotra, which transcended physical alignment to touch emotional clarity and spiritual grounding. Participants shared experiences of deep inner peace, alignment, and connection—hallmarks of a true Yogic journey. The celebration concluded with a seamless distribution of Prasadam and a collective clean-up effort, embracing the principle of Karma Yoga (selfless service).
This mega event was made possible by the generous support of various community organizations, including, Sant Nirankari Mission, Arya Samaj of Chicagoland, A3N Media, Sewa International, Hindu Satsang. The final vote of gratitude honored all volunteers, partners, sponsors, and supporters whose dedication made the event a shining success.
This year’s celebration was not just an event—it was a movement. A living example of what’s possible when hearts unite for a higher purpose. Rooted in ancient wisdom, it was a celebration of mind, body, and spirit that showcased Chicagoland’s growing embrace of conscious living, cultural unity, and global wellness.
