This International Day of Yoga, New Yorkers will unite in a powerful celebration of healing, connection, and community at UPLIFTNY25, a free, day-long event hosted by Meera Gandhi’s Giving Back Foundation in partnership with NYC Mayor’s Office of Sports, Wellness, and Recreation.
Held on Saturday, June 21 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park, UPLIFTNY25 is expected to draw over 5,000 participants for a vibrant, heart-centered experience featuring guided yoga and meditation, live music, and spiritual discussions. With the theme “How to Uplift Ourselves in a Challenging World?”, this event offers participants practical tools and soulful inspiration to navigate modern life with peace and purpose.
“UPLIFTNY25 is more than just an event – it’s a movement,” says Meera Gandhi, philanthropist and Founder of The Giving Back Foundation. “We are coming together in one of the most iconic parks in the world to restore our spirits, connect through love, and uplift each other in these ever-evolving times.”
Featured performers and wellness guides:
- Bhushan Deodhar
- Darryl Gaines
- Daybreaker
- Inga Benson
- Madame Gandhi
- Miriam Belov
- Tirlok Malik
With a diverse blend of music, movement, and mindful dialogue, UPLIFTNY25 promises to be a transformative experience for individuals and families alike. A light, complimentary vegetarian lunch will be served to all registered guests.
Participants can register at: http://Upliftny25.info/ They are encouraged to bring their yoga mats, wear comfortable clothing, and come with an open heart. The event is open to all ages and backgrounds, emphasizing inclusivity, inner peace, and collective joy.
The International Day of Yoga is celebrated around the world annually on June 21, summer solstice, following its adoption by the United Nations in 2014.
About the Giving Back Foundation
Founded by Meera Gandhi, The Giving Back Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting mental health, spiritual well-being, and community upliftment through compassion-driven initiatives around the world.
Meera Gandhi is the daughter of an Irish mother and an Indian father. As a teenager in India, she met and spent time with Mother Teresa, which proved to be the turning point in her life, culminating in The Giving Back Foundation that she started in 2010 from New York.
Meera Gandhi, author of ‘3 Tips’
Alongside her philanthropic work, Meera Gandhi has turned author. In 2023 she published ‘3 Tips’, offering practical guidance for creating a better situation, attaining peace of mind, and fostering personal growth. She emphasizes acting consciously, fulfilling commitments, and commanding one’s situation. Additionally, she advises seeking genuine happiness, investing in lasting peace, and detaching from external attachments.
In her reflections on hard work, she writes:
“Accomplishment is joy – hard work may be tough, but the joy of creating something meaningful is unmatched. My father taught me this when I was a child living on the Indian Institute of Armament Technology campus in Pune. I watched him transform a simple lakeside into the ‘Naval Experimental Bay’ with nothing but vision and determination. That early experience taught me that if you can think it, you can do it.”
She adds,
“When we recognize that our individual efforts are connected to a greater cosmic flow, we realize we are not alone. The universe is with us, supporting us in visible and invisible ways. Hard work, when approached with love and faith, becomes not just easier – it becomes joyful.”
Her message aligns seamlessly with the spirit of UPLIFTNY25: the interconnection of personal growth, community upliftment, and universal energy.
Contact: info@thegivingbackfoundation.net
