HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2086

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to international yoga day.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that yoga is a gift from Patanjali, the father of yoga, and other Hindu sages to humanity.  Yoga means union of self with the universe and creator and creates a balance at the physical, mental, and spiritual level.  Yoga is not just physical exercise; it is a spiritual path to control the mind and senses and know one's higher self and purpose in life and living in harmony with other human beings and nature.  Yoga is a way of life and can promote, among other things, health and well-being and insight into addressing environmental concerns and facilitating world peace.  More than 250,000,000 people around the world practice some form of yoga.

     According to the 2016 Yoga in America Study, which queried 2,000 members of the general population and 1,700 yoga practitioners in the United States, 36,700,000 people in the United States practice yoga, seventy-four per cent of whom have been practicing for five years or less, which demonstrates the relative newness of the interest in yoga.  The study revealed that yoga practitioners are drawn to yoga for a variety of reasons, including flexibility, stress relief, general fitness, overall health, and physical fitness.  Additionally, yoga provides an economic benefit; Americans spent $16,000,000,000 on yoga instruction, gear, and accessories, including $5,800,000,000 on yoga classes and $4,600,000,000 on clothes to engage in yoga.  The study also found that about thirty-seven per cent of yoga practitioners have children under the age of eighteen who also practice yoga.

     The legislature further finds that the United Nations adopted a resolution on December 11, 2014, proclaiming June 21 as the International Day of Yoga.  One hundred seventy-five countries cosponsored the resolution.  The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, addressed the United Nations General Assembly on September 27, 2014, on the adoption of International Yoga Day, stating, "Yoga is an invaluable gift of India's ancient tradition.  It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being.  It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature."  The legislature finds that yoga provides a holistic approach to health and well-being, and wider dissemination of information about the benefits of practicing yoga would be beneficial for the health of Hawaii's population.  The practice of yoga is beneficial to the people of Hawaii, including children, as it lowers stress, health problems, and health insurance costs, and promotes healthy living and longevity among the elderly population.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish June 21 of each year as International Yoga Day to promote the practice of yoga to increase the health and well-being of the people of Hawaii.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§8-     International Yoga Day.  June 21 of each year shall be known and designated as "International Yoga Day"; provided that this day is not and shall not be construed to be a state holiday."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

International Yoga Day

 

Description:

Designates June 21 of each year as International Yoga Day.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.