Table of Contents
- Overview
- TheNakedNYC YouTube Highlights
- TheNakedNYC Instagram Highlights
- Photo Gallery
- The Solstice & Its Global Meaning
- Event Highlights & Features
- Schedule & Instructors
- Sponsors & Partnerships
- Streaming & Digital Participation
- About the Times Square Alliance
- Wrapping Up
Overview
NEW YORK, NY — The 23rd Annual Solstice in Times Square: Mind Over Madness Yoga filled the heart of Manhattan with peace and calm on Friday, June 20. Thousands of yoga enthusiasts gathered at the Crossroads of the World from sunrise to sunset. They came together to celebrate the summer solstice — the longest day of the year.
For over two decades, this event has united people in one of the busiest intersections on Earth. It offers a rare moment of calm in the city that never sleeps. Since its debut in 2003 with only three participants, Solstice in Times Square has grown into a beloved New York tradition. Two of those original attendees — Douglass Stewart and Tim Tompkins — went on to co-found the event. Today, the celebration embodies the meaning of its name: Mind Over Madness. In a place defined by bright lights, energy, and nonstop movement, the event encourages renewal of mind, body, and spirit.
To learn more, visit TSQ.org/Solstice.
TheNakedNYC YouTube Highlights
TheNakedNYC Instagram Highlights
Photo Gallery
The Solstice & Its Global Meaning
The summer solstice, occurring between June 20 and June 22 in the Northern Hemisphere, has been celebrated across the globe for thousands of years. In China, the phenomenon known as Xiazhi marked the sun’s peak position at a celestial longitude of 90°, beginning around June 21 and ending by July 7. In North America, it traditionally marked the start of summer, while in Ireland, the UK, Japan, and China, it was regarded as midsummer. These interpretations reflected each culture’s unique connection to the sun’s cycles, blending science, tradition, and community into one extraordinary moment.
Event Highlights & Features
The 2025 celebration featured seven free yoga sessions between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., set against the towering billboards and bustling streets of Broadway and Seventh Avenue. Attendees enjoyed a Yoga Village between 43rd and 45th Streets, featuring sponsor booths, giveaways, and interactive activities. Registered participants received complimentary Gaiam yoga mats and gift bags from RYZE Superfoods, while supplies lasted.
Schedule & Instructors
The day’s schedule offered something for every level of practitioner:
- 7:30–8:30 a.m. — Aditi Shah (presented by the Consulate General of India in New York)
- 9:30–10:30 a.m. — Phyllicia Victoria (presented by Gaiam)
- 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. — Riva Gdanski
- 1:30–2:30 p.m. — Victoria Gibbs
- 3:30–4:30 p.m. — Eddie Stern
- 5:30–6:30 p.m. — Shayla Quinn
- 7:30–8:30 p.m. — Douglass Stewart, event co-founder
Sponsors & Partnerships
The event was produced by the Times Square Alliance in collaboration with sponsors BetterAlt, Consulate General of India in New York, Gaiam, Lifeway Kefir, Muscle Milk, RYZE Superfoods, and smartwater. Their support helped make the event free and accessible to all, underscoring the importance of wellness in urban life.
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Streaming & Digital Participation
For those unable to attend in person, every session was streamed live at TSq.org/Solstice, on YouTube, and on the Times Square Facebook page. Viewers around the world participated from home, sharing their experiences on social media with the hashtag #SolsticeTSq.
About the Times Square Alliance
Founded in 1992, the Times Square Alliance works to improve and promote Times Square. The organization keeps the neighborhood clean and safe, supports local businesses, manages public space improvements, and produces major annual events including New Year’s Eve, Taste of Times Square, and Solstice in Times Square. For more information, visit www.TSq.org.
Wrapping Up
The 23rd Annual Solstice in Times Square brought thousands together for a day of movement and mindfulness. From the first morning stretch to the final evening pose, the celebration transformed Times Square into a sanctuary of peace. The summer solstice is more than the longest day — it’s a chance for renewal, connection, and joyful presence. Whether on the mat, online, or simply watching, everyone became part of a citywide moment of stillness. That’s the magic of Mind Over Madness Yoga — a feeling that lingers long after the sun sets on Times Square.
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