Last week, to mark the third annual International Day of Yoga, the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) issued a special event sheet featuring 10 stamps alongside 10 se-tenant labels.
The stamps, which were issued by the UNPA on June 21, have a denomination of $1.15 USD. They’re produced for use at the post office in the United Nations’ headquarters in New York City. The sheet’s selvage features a photograph of the UN’s New York headquarters—located at 405 East 42nd St.—illuminated with the yoga pose known as the downward-facing dog, which is also depicted on the stamp in the bottom-right corner. Altogether, 10 yoga poses are featured on the sheet.
The stamps’ se-tenant labels depict the mantra “om” on coloured backgrounds.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF YOGA
Last June, participants from a record 135 nationalities gathered in front of the iconic UN Secretariat building to commemorate the second International Day of Yoga with General Assembly President Mogens Lykketoft highlighting the importance of yoga in achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Esteemed spiritual leader Sadhguru also led a yoga session during the hour-long ceremony.
In December 2014, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution introduced by India’s Ambassador to the UN Asoke Mukerji with a record number of 177 co-sponsoring member states. The first International Day of Yoga would be celebrated in 2015.
According to the UNPA website, yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. “Yoga” derives from Sanskrit and means “to join” or “to unite,” both of which symbolize the union of body and consciousness. Today, it is practiced in various forms around the world and continues to grow in popularity.
For more information about the UNPA’s recent issue, visit unstamps.org.