Washington, June 10 : As preparations gather pace for the 12th International Day of Yoga across the United States, India's Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra has said yoga has become so deeply embedded in American society that "pretty much in every street" one can find a yoga studio, underscoring the growing global appeal of what he described as "a great treasure of our civilizational heritage".

"If you walk around in Washington, DC, indeed anywhere in the United States it would be a very common site for you to come across a yoga studio pretty much in every street," Kwatra told IANS ahead of nationwide celebrations marking the International Day of Yoga.

From Washington's Lincoln Memorial to New York's Times Square and Chicago's Navy Pier, Indian diplomatic missions across the US are preparing for large-scale public events under the theme "Yoga for Healthy Ageing", highlighting yoga's role in promoting physical mobility, mental well-being and healthy lifestyles.

The Indian Embassy in Washington will host its flagship celebration at the Lincoln Memorial on June 19. Inviting the public to participate, the Embassy said: "Join us for the largest yoga session of the year!"

Kwatra said the annual observance reflects the worldwide acceptance of an ancient Indian tradition that has steadily expanded far beyond its place of origin.

"The International Day of Yoga was decided upon by the UN through a resolution in 2014 whereby they declared 21st of June as the International Day of Yoga. It was a singular initiative driven by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, which was supported by 175 countries who supported the passage of this resolution," he said.

Describing yoga as one of India's enduring contributions to the world, the ambassador said: "Yoga is not just one of the ancient traditions of Bharat. It is also a great treasure of our civilizational heritage."

He added: "Prime Minister Modi himself has said that yoga is an invaluable gift from our ancient tradition."

According to Kwatra, yoga's lasting appeal lies in its ability to connect different dimensions of human life.

"It's a heritage. It's a tradition which has this unique ability to bring together a very harmonious convergence of your body, with your mind, with your thought, and all three, with your soul," he said.