Yoga Day: Serenity in New York's Times Square

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Amid the hustle and bustle of New York, some people have been seeking tranquillity. More than 12-thousand New Yorkers took yoga classes in Times Square to celebrate the northern hemisphere's summer solstice. CGTN's Nick Harper joined them.

Honking horns, neon lights, bustling commuters. Trying to find some inner peace at the "Crossroads of the World" is certainly a case of mind over matter.

The Times Square yoga is held every year on June 21st. This is its 16th year and it's still drawing first-timers.

"It's insane, I never expected to do it in front of all these signs, and being able to just sit down and be quiet for at least 30 minutes - it's a good time to be away from my job and give me a nice break."

"It feels pretty cool, because it's such a peaceful thing. Everything around you just continues while you're trying to become at peace with everything."

These free classes stretch the full five blocks of Times square, with about 2,000 people taking part in each session.

Organizer and long-time yogi Douglass Stewart has seen it grow. The first year with just three people - including himself - that took part.

DOUGLASS STEWART TIMES SQUARE YOGA "Is it possible to find that inner stillness with all the distractions that happen in a normal life. This is sort of the metaphor for all of that distraction."

And from above it sounds and seems like that peace might just be possible. Never before has an hour in Times Square been so relaxing.

"To find stillness in chaos is just something that's unexplainable - I feel everybody stood and just experience it."

"I felt at calm, peace, I felt stillness which is weirdness in the midst of all of this commotion and the sirens and everything - it was like I was at the beach."

NICK HARPER NEW YORK "Well, whether you're an expert - or like me a beginner - this is really about coming together and giving it a go. Nick Harper, CGTN, New York."