International Day of Yoga Speech Contest #IDY2025
Icon Shakti is happy to announce the third annual speech contest for kids and adults on the occasion of the 11th International Day of Yoga (#IDY2025).
Date & Time: Sunday, June 22, 2024, 3 - 5 p.m.
Venue: National India Hub, 930 National Parkway, Schaumburg, 60173.
We are thankful to the Indian Consulate of Chicago and the National India Hub (indiahub.org/) for their help in conducting this contest.
Contest Results:
Balance Group - 1) First Prize - Sharanya Deep, Second Prize - Advik Gupta, Third Prize - Mihiraa Bandekar
Breathe Group - 1) First Prize - Ayati Ojha
Watch the Speech Contest Recap here.
We are thankful to our judges - Savita Karmarkar, Vishal Navalkar, and Swati Kukian for judging the contest and sharing their valuable insights.
We are thankful to our prize sponsors - Sohum Realty (sohumrealty.com) for all three prizes in the adult category, Best Brains of Buffalo Grove (bestbrains.com/buffalo-grove) for the first prizes in the two kids' categories, Vyanjan (vyanjan.us) for the second prize in the 8-12 category, Vyayam (vyayam.com) for the second prize in the13-17 category, Smart Sakhi (smartsakhi.org) for the third prize in the 8-12 category, and Balodyan (balodyan.com) for the third prize in the 13-17 category .
Please sign up here by June 15 for the Free Speech Contest: https://forms.gle/ckLczqNcTZzuvK849 .
Click to check out our Yoga for One Earth, One Health Poster Contest.
Click to sign up for the free Community Yoga Practice event.
Speech Contest Rules:
1) The contest will be held in three age groups - Balance group ages 8-12 years, Breathe group ages 13-17 years, and Bliss group 18+ years.
2) Topic : Yoga for One Earth, One Health
3) Prizes for EACH group - first prize - $50, second prize - $35, third prize - $25, if a minimum of 10 participants are in each group. Only two prizes will be awarded in case of 6 - 9 participants, one prize in case of 3 - 5 participants. In case of less than 3 participants, the participants may be merged with the other nearest age category. Selected few speakers in each age category may be invited to deliver their speeches live at the Community Yoga event on June 28.
4) There is NO entry fee for entering this contest.
5) The contest is open to all participants of the ages specified.
6) All speeches will have to be delivered in person at the contest location.
7) Maximum time per speech is 3 minutes. Speeches beyond this time will be disqualified. Organizers' decision will be final in this regard.
8) Language of speeches should be English only.
9) Hate-inducing, violence-provoking, derogatory, vulgar, and off-the-topic speeches will be disqualified from the contest. Organizers' decision will be final in this respect.
10) Contestants may be required randomly to submit a proof of their birth date (birth certificate or school record).
11) A panel of judges will choose winners in each category based on criteria such as language, content, clarity, memorization, delivery, uniqueness, and effect of the speech. Judges' decision will be final.
12) Winners will be announced on Saturday, June 28 at the 11th International Day of Yoga event at Rotary Village Green (265, N. Buffalo Grove Road, Buffalo Grove, IL, 60089 - 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.).
13) All are invited to join us for the free community yoga practice before the prize distribution. Please sign up for this free event here: (event is free, registration is mandatory).
14) For more information, please write to vidya@vyayam.com or call 1-847-537-4710 (landline).
15) Guidelines for the Content of the Speech :
1. The Connection Between Self-Care and Earth-Care - how yoga cultivates mindfulness; when we’re more aware of ourselves, we become more aware of how our actions affect the planet, and how personal health and planetary health are intertwined: clean air, water, food, and a calm mind.
2. Yoga as a Lifestyle for Sustainable Living - how Yoga's first Yama of Ahimsa (non-violence) promotes vegetarianism, compassion, and eco-friendly choices, and fifth /Yama of Aparigraha (non-possessiveness) encourages minimalism and conscious consumption. Use real-life examples of people who reduced their carbon footprint through yoga-inspired living.
3. Yoga for Global Health - how yoga goes just beyond fitness, and boosts immunity, reduces stress, and helps mental health. A healthier population means fewer healthcare burdens and more capacity to care for the Earth.
4. Yoga as a Path to Inner and Outer Peace - how yoga gives us Inner peace that fosters outer peace, leading to less conflict, more empathy, unity.
5. Cultural Roots and Global Reach - Yoga as India’s gift to the world, and how the global embrace of yoga shows the universal need for harmony and balance. Reflect on how yoga unites people beyond boundaries—different languages, cultures, but one practice.
6. The above are just ideas for interpreting the topic of the contest. You don't need to speak on every single point mentioned above. Please feel free to include less or more content, given the topic of the contest.
