Himalayan Saint Yogmata Keiko Aikawa Joins UN’s International Day of Yoga, Sharing Messages of Peace and Meditation — New York Dojo to Reopen This November
The Transformative Power of Stillness
On June 21, 2025—the summer solstice—the United Nations Headquarters in New York hosted its annual International Day of Yoga celebration. Among the distinguished guests was Himalayan Saint Yogmata Keiko Aikawa, who made a special appearance to bless the gathering with meditation and a message of peace.
Recognized as the only female Himalayan Siddha Master officially endorsed by the Indian government, Yogmata Keiko Aikawa is the first woman in history to attain the ultimate state of samadhi (enlightenment). She has published over 80 books, selling more than one million copies worldwide, and continues to share cosmic love and wisdom through lectures and blessings across the globe. She has also previously blessed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the UN Yoga Day, capturing international attention.
The event drew dignitaries including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, spiritual leader and alternative medicine advocate Deepak Chopra, diplomats, UN staff, and yoga enthusiasts from around the world.
The North Lawn, overlooking the East River, was transformed into an open-air yoga studio under clear skies—an unexpected gift after days of rain and clouds.
Amidst the vibrant energy of the day, Aikawa’s presence brought a quiet shift, guiding participants inward.
“Everyone looked so full of life today. Yesterday it rained, but today, on the solstice, the sun came out. This light carries powerful energy,” she reflected after the event. “For beginners, this is the perfect moment to take the first step into meditation, and to expand the consciousness of love and peace.”
She continued with a message that resonated throughout the grounds:
“I offered a meditation blessing (diksha). Yoga is not just physical exercise—it is the path to knowing the true self and ultimately reaching Samadhi. When people remember their essence and live in harmony with heart and body, that is the first step toward peace. Even in times of sorrow or stress, love for oneself and others transforms life gently. Through meditation, I guide people to awaken their inner gifts and live with a fulfilled heart. That is the path toward a better future.”
For Aikawa, peace is not merely the absence of conflict but the blossoming of inner peace—a state born when each individual learns to live with a full and balanced heart. On that day, participants experienced not only yoga in movement but also the stillness that connects body, mind, and soul.
Why the World Needs Yoga
The International Day of Yoga was established in 2014 at the proposal of Prime Minister Modi, coinciding with the solstice when daylight is longest and light energy is at its peak. Since then, the UN celebration has become a tradition, with yoga events held globally on June 21 each year.
Yoga, as Aikawa emphasizes, is not merely exercise. It is a holistic practice that unites body, mind, and spirit, offering a way to restore balance and harmony in an age of stress, division, and uncertainty. In today’s climate—marked by war, pandemic isolation, and economic anxiety—yoga’s role as a tool for inner peace is being rediscovered.
Her teaching centers on meditation, describing it as the essence of yoga and a practice of deep self-observation that can be woven into everyday life.
Silent Prayers in New York
Beyond the UN lawn, Aikawa also visited two symbolic sites in New York: Ground Zero and Strawberry Fields in Central Park, home to the John Lennon “Imagine” mosaic. At both places, she stood in quiet prayer, honoring the victims of tragedy and offering intentions for world peace.
Her silent presence conveyed more than words could—an embodiment of stillness amid chaos, and compassion in a city that thrives on diversity and resilience.
A Life of Spiritual Leadership
Keiko Aikawa is recognized as the first Japanese and first woman in the world to attain the state of Ultimate Samadhi, making her the only living Himalayan Master accessible to the public today.
In 2007, she was honored with the title of Maha Mandaleshwar (Great Master) by the Indian Spiritual Association—an extraordinary recognition rarely granted, and virtually unheard of for a foreign woman.
Her mission is to translate 5,000 years of Himalayan secret teachings into words accessible to the modern world. Her message is simple yet profound: everything one seeks already exists within. Through practical methods of meditation, she guides people to connect with their inner self.
She has spoken at the UN and across Europe and India, appears regularly on TBS Radio in Japan, and has published more than 70 books with over a million copies sold worldwide.
Meditation and the Challenge of Violence
In April 2025, Aikawa was a special guest at a panel hosted by the United Nations Association Film Festival (UNAFF), where the Academy Award-nominated documentary Death By Numbers was screened. The film explores the 2018 Parkland school shooting in Florida and its aftermath.
Speaking alongside survivors, including featured participant Samantha Fuentes, Aikawa emphasized:
“To stop violence, we must break the cycle of suffering and trauma. That begins with calming our own hearts. Meditation is the way.”
She then led the audience in a brief guided meditation, creating a moment of quiet that contrasted with the intensity of the discussions. Participants described the silence as deeply moving, a reminder of the restorative power of meditation.
Richard Gere, Global Recognition, and the Reopening of the NY Dojo
Aikawa’s international presence has continued to grow. In 2023, she met actor Richard Gere at International Yoga Day, further expanding global awareness of her work. Prime Minister Modi’s official Instagram has also featured his meeting with Aikawa, amplifying her visibility.
Against this backdrop of international recognition, Aikawa’s New York Dojo will officially reopen in November 2025, serving as a renewed hub for meditation and learning. An opening ceremony is planned, marking the start of a new chapter in her mission to spread peace and meditation worldwide.
Profile
Keiko Aikawa (Yogmata Keiko Aikawa)
The first woman in history to attain the “Ultimate Samadhi (Enlightenment),” and the only living Himalayan Saint accessible to the public today. A true heir to the secret Himalayan teachings, she was awarded the highest title of Maha Mandaleshwar by the Indian Spiritual Association in 2007. Through speeches at the United Nations, international activities, radio programs, and her writings, she continues to spread messages of meditation and peace around the world. Her published works have sold over one million copies. She is also a regular host on the TBS Radio program Keiko Aikawa: Messages for Happiness.
Links
Official Website: https://science.ne.jp
Official YouTube — Yogmata Keiko Aikawa: Words of the Sun that Illuminate Life: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7688KVTBJhb_gZ9kmDXaIQ
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yogmata45/
