NEW DELHI, India. Tens of thousands of people across India gathered in public parks, beaches, and even icy mountain passes on Saturday to mark the 11th International Day of Yoga, showcasing the ancient practice as a tool for physical and mental well-being.
Mass yoga sessions were held across various Indian states, where participants performed breathing exercises and a variety of poses. In the Himalayas, Indian military personnel took part in yoga activities at the freezing heights of the Siachen Glacier, while naval forces joined in from ships docked in the Bay of Bengal.
The celebration extended beyond India, with similar yoga sessions held in countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia, drawing yoga enthusiasts and first-time practitioners alike.
“I feel that yoga keeps us spiritually fit, mentally fit and helps us manage stress. That’s why I feel people should take out at least 30 minutes every day for yoga to keep themselves fit,” said Rajiv Ranjan, who participated in an event in New Delhi.
Yoga, one of India’s most prominent cultural exports after Bollywood, has also become a form of cultural diplomacy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Since persuading the United Nations to declare June 21 as the International Day of Yoga in 2014, Modi has used the practice to promote India’s global presence.
This year’s theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” emphasized unity and holistic well-being. Modi joined a seaside yoga session in Visakhapatnam, performing breathing exercises and poses alongside hundreds of others.
“Yoga leads us on a journey towards oneness with the world,” Modi said. “Let this Yoga Day mark the beginning of yoga for humanity 2.0, where inner peace becomes global policy.”
Indian ministers, government officials, and military personnel also shared photos and videos of themselves participating in yoga on social media platforms.
In New Delhi’s Lodhi Gardens, participants of all ages followed an instructor on stage. “Yoga for me is like balancing between the inner world and outer world,” said Siddharth Maheshwari, a startup manager attending the event.
In Malaysia, over a thousand people gathered at the iconic Batu Caves, exercising near a towering golden statue of a Hindu god and the colorful temple steps. The session was organized by the Indian High Commission.
“It has been really good and relaxing for the mind, body, and soul,” said Lee Ann, one of the participants.
On Indonesia’s Bali island, yoga mats lined a park near Nusa Dua Beach at sunset. The event, hosted by the Indian consulate and a local tourism agency, attracted tourists, students, and locals alike.
“Yoga brings amazing benefits, especially to restore balance and calm a busy mind. This ancient tradition needs to be preserved because it has a positive impact on the wider society,” said Ayu Sangjiwani, a participant.
Other yoga celebrations also took place in Jakarta, Makassar, and Yogyakarta, reaffirming yoga’s growing influence as a global wellness movement.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
