May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islanders in the United States. The term Asian Pacific encompasses all of the Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia (New Guinea, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji and the Solomon Islands), Micronesia (Marianas, Guam, Wake Island, Palau, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru and the Federated States of Micronesia) and Polynesia (New Zealand, Hawaiian Islands, Rotuma, Midway Islands, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, French Polynesia and Easter Island).

Virtual yoga session

Yoga is regularly practiced worldwide as an exercise that brings together physical and mental disciplines to achieve a peaceful body and mind. Its origins were developed by the Indus-Sarasvati civilization in Northern India over 5,000 years ago. Yoga helps manage stress and anxiety and keeps you relaxed. It also helps in increasing flexibility, muscle strength and body tone and improves respiration, energy and vitality.

Check out a 10 minute yoga exercise you can do at your desk!

See some other ways to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Awareness:

• Explore the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center.
• Check out this book list featuring books by authors of Asian, East Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander heritage and cultures.
• View a variety of Asian Pacific American recipes you can make at home.

Download this months Teams meeting background on the digital storefront