Fourth Annual Speech Contest for International Day of Yoga

Icon Shakti is happy to announce the fourth annual speech contest for kids and adults on the occasion of the 12th International Day of Yoga (#IDY2026).Date & Time: Sunday, June 14, 2026, 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.If you want to sponsor prizes for this contest, please reach out to us.We are thankful to our contest prize sponsors - VYAYAM (vyayam.com), Balodyan (balodyan.com), and VYANJAN (vyanjan.us), & Best Brains of Buffalo Grove (bestbrains.com/buffalo-grove) .Please sign up here by June 10 for the Free Speech Contest: https://forms.gle/UAofWyJiUuFmyRydA .Click to check out our Yoga for Wisdom, Wellness, and World Peace Poster Contest. ( https://tinyurl.com/idy26poster )Click to check out our Yoga for Wisdom, Wellness, and World Peace Yogasana Contest. ( https://tinyurl.com/idy26yogasana )Click to sign up for the free Community Yoga Practice event.( https://tinyurl.com/IDY26 )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 Wisdom, Wellness, and World Peace3) 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 20.4) 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.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 20 at the 12th 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: https://forms.gle/r4mYgxLQ4hVVB84u7 (event is free, registration is mandatory).14) For more information, please write to [email protected] or call 1-847-537-4710 (landline).15) Guidelines for the Content of the Speech :1. Clearly Address All Three Dimensions -Wisdom → Inner awareness, clarity, mindful decision-makingWellness → Physical health, emotional balance, mental resilienceWorld Peace → Harmony, compassion, unity beyond differencesStrong speeches will interlink all three, not treat them separately.2. Explain “Yoga” Holistically - Go beyond just postures (asanas), include breathwork (pranayama), meditation, and mindfulness. Highlight yoga as a way of life and philosophy. Emphasize inner transformation, not just physical fitness.3. Show the Journey From Self to Society -Self-awareness (Wisdom) → leads to personal balance (Wellness) → which contributes to collective harmony (World Peace)4. Use Real-Life Connections - personal experiences with yoga, observations from daily life , examples of balance, unity, and / or healing, stories of personal transformation.5. 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 and the time limit.

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