Latest news with #InternationalDayofYoga
Deccan Herald
3 days ago
- General
- Deccan Herald
DPS Mysore celebrates Yoga Day with community spirit
Delhi Public School, Mysore, marked the International Day of Yoga with enthusiastic participation across all grades. While nursery children performed asanas in the turf area, students of Grades 1 and 2 joined guided sessions in the bus bay. Grades 3–12 took part in a coordinated yoga session on the school ground. A group of students and staff also participated in a mass yoga event at Mysore Palace.
Korea Herald
08-07-2025
- Health
- Korea Herald
India marks Yoga Day in Seoul
The Indian Embassy in Seoul celebrated the 11th International Day of Yoga on June 21. The United Nations General Assembly designated June 21 as the International Day of Yoga in 2014, with the support of 175 member states. This year's theme, 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health,' emphasized the interconnectedness between personal well-being and the health of the planet. According to the embassy, yoga's origins trace back approximately 3,000 years, with its principles codified in the "Yoga Sutras" by Hindu sage Patanjali around 200 BC. Patanjali, known as the father of modern yoga, wrote the "Yoga Sutras," a collection of Sanskrit aphorisms on the theory and practices of ancient yoga. Speaking at the event, Indian Ambassador to Korea Amit Kumar said that Yoga teaches us that we are not isolated individuals but integral parts of nature. The health of every entity on Earth is interconnected. Yoga transitions us from "Me to We," Kumar said, echoing the words of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sharing a press release with The Korea Herald after the event, the embassy highlighted partnerships with Wonkwang Digital University and Busan University of Foreign Studies, which offer advanced academic programs in yoga and wellness, and degrees up to doctoral level. The event was attended by more than 700 yoga enthusiasts, comprising Koreans, embassy officials and members of the Indian community and diplomatic corps. sanjaykumar@
The Star
01-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Yoga in a tavern is the latest mental health outreach in Zimbabwe
It is before sunrise on a Saturday and a small group has gathered at Socialite Bar in on the outskirts of Zimbabwe's capital. Instead of nursing hangovers, they sit with eyes closed and bodies in meditative poses on the bare floor. It's an unlikely setting for a yoga class. In Zimbabwe, the practice is rare and mostly found in the wealthy suburbs. Yet it is quietly taking root here in a beer tavern in Chitungwiza, a low-income town 30km outside the capital, Harare. The initiative is led by Actions Winya, a yoga instructor who saw how economic hardship and social pressures were damaging the mental health of people in his hometown. "Yoga is expensive... but we also got humans in the ghetto. They need mental wellness,' said Winya, who usually teaches in affluent areas charging between US$30 (RM127) and US$100 (RM425) a month. That's an impossible cost for most, especially in a country where many survive through informal 2023, Winya has been offering free weekend classes to some of those hardest hit by Zimbabwe's economic problems. The sessions have become a source of relief for people navigating relentless challenges. Authorities acknowledge a growing societal crisis worsened by drug abuse, domestic violence and poverty, compounded by a shortage of public health services and therapists. "I am a coach, so they bring the stuff that they face within families (to me). This is where we come in and say, 'Guys, come and try yoga, it can help, somehow',' Winya said. Winya (left) assisting a man in perfecting his pose during a yoga class. Yoga, an ancient Indian practice, has become a multibillion-dollar industry and a daily ritual for millions around the world. The United Nations over a decade ago designated June 21 as International Day of Yoga. In Africa, other countries like Kenya and South Africa are introducing yoga to poorer communities, with the Indian government promoting its spread across the continent. Inside the tavern in Zimbabwe, mellow music played as about a dozen participants moved through poses. They had no mats, just a cold brick floor, but plenty of determination for inner peace. One mother tried to stay focused as her toddler dashed around, disrupting her poses. For 47-year-old John Mahwaya, the practice has been transforming. A father of four, he also supports relatives in the countryside, a responsibility he said once weighed heavily on his mental health. "My head was always spinning. I thought I was losing my mind, and the stress started causing back pains,' he said. "Yoga helps me relax and clear my mind. I sleep peacefully these days.' He said many Zimbabwean men bottle up their emotions, afraid to show weakness in a highly patriarchal society that prizes toughness. "We focus on physical fitness, forgetting the mind,' he said. "We suffer slowly, but what suffers first is the mind, and from there, it becomes a slow death.' In Africa, some countries are introducing yoga to poorer communities. Edinah Makosa, 24, joined the class earlier this year and said it gave her hope. "I used to be depressed a lot. You know, for people my age, our main stressors are unemployment and relationships,' she said."Yoga changed my mindset. I used to think negatively all the time. Now I have started selling beauty products to earn a living. As for romance, well if it works, it works; if it doesn't, it doesn't. I no longer stress about men. I go with the flow.' As they practised, the sounds of township life seeped in. Taxi drivers shouted for passengers. Vendors pushed carts, calling out to potential customers. "We need a proper environment and studio. But we are trying,' Winya said. For participants like Mahwaya, the location didn't matter nearly as much as the healing. "We need to promote yoga in the communities because everyone has a mind. And fitness of the mind is the responsibility of everyone, regardless of where you live,' he said. – AP
India.com
29-06-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi Hails International Day Of Yoga 2025 As Global Symbol Of Peace And Unity
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday praised the nationwide and global celebrations of the International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025, calling them a grand and meaningful expression of peace, stability, and balance. Addressing the 123rd episode of his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat', PM Modi said Yoga has become an integral part of people's lives, both in India and across the world. "All of you right now must be feeling the energy of Yoga and the memories of the International Day of Yoga. This year, too, on June 21, millions across the country and the world participated in Yoga Day. You must remember that it all began 10 years ago, and every year this tradition is becoming grander than before. This indicates that more and more people are incorporating Yoga into their daily lives," he said. Highlighting some of the most captivating moments from this year's celebrations, the Prime Minister referred to the massive gathering of three lakh people performing Yoga on the beaches of Visakhapatnam. "Another incredible sight from Visakhapatnam, over 2,000 tribal students performed 108 Surya Namaskars for 108 minutes. Imagine how much discipline and dedication they must have had," he remarked. He also praised the unique observances on Indian Naval ships, the participation of over 3,000 specially-abled individuals in Telangana, and the Yoga sessions conducted on the banks of the Yamuna River, which also helped promote the clean Yamuna initiative. "In Jammu and Kashmir, people performed Yoga on the Chenab Bridge, the world's highest railway bridge. Yoga was also performed by ITBP jawans at the snow-covered peaks of the Himalayas, showcasing a powerful blend of courage and spiritual discipline. The people of Gujarat also created a new history. People of Vadnagar set a new record when 2,121 people performed Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose) together," he added. The Prime Minister applauded the global observance of the Yoga Day, noting that cities such as New York, London, Tokyo, and Paris hosted large-scale events. "Every picture of Yoga Day from around the world conveyed a special message of peace, stability and balance," he said. PM Modi also emphasised the significance of this year's theme -- Yoga For One Earth, One Health -- calling it a guiding principle that echoes the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, or "the world is one family". Expressing confidence in the impact of this year's celebrations, the Prime Minister said, "The grandeur of this year's IDY will encourage more and more people to adopt Yoga into their daily lives."
The Hindu
29-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
In Frames: International Yoga Day: Breathe, bend, belong
The United Nations' recognition of June 21 as the International Day of Yoga has brought global attention and a boost to the ancient Indian lifestyle practice that focuses on breathing, flexibility and strength. The origins of yoga can be traced back to thousands of years, and it holds an important place in modern lifestyles. Yoga is one of the six orthodox schools of Indian philosophy and, just as the remaining five, focuses on attaining self-realisation through its unique teachings for the control of mind and body. This year's International Day of Yoga, observed last week, advocated the theme 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health', underlining that personal wellness and the health of the planet are linked. While people all over the country took to their mats in celebration of this wellness routine, the philosophy echoed around the world. The lawns of the United Nations headquarters in New York were lined with colourful mats with over 1,200 practising yoga together. Terming yoga a 'pause button' that the world needs in times of instability and uncertainty, Prime Minister Narendra Modi put forward the idea of yoga for humanity, where inner peace becomes a global policy. Although primarily a practice of health and well-being, the International Day of Yoga also turned a platform for social media spotlight with participants being keen to take their activities online. The UN resolution in 2014 that adopted June 21 as the International Day of Yoga had noted the 'importance of individuals and populations making healthier choices and following lifestyle patterns that foster good health'. The World Health Organization has urged its member states to help their citizens get over physical inactivity, which is a key risk factor for non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes. Recognising the importance of yoga as a tool to battle physical inactivity and encourage mental stimulation as well as relaxation is one of the key missions of the International Day of Yoga and the trend visible across many countries suggests that awareness is catching on. Into the inner mind: Women wearing traditional Nauvari saris perform yoga at the Gateway of India in Mumbai on the occasion of International Day of Yoga on June 21. Geared up: Running late for a session, tribal students from the Paderu area hurry along to the Yogandhra 2025 event in Visakhapatnam. Coming together: An aerial view of the Yoga Day celebrations along Beach Road in Visakhapatnam. Navigating mindfully: About 500 personnel from the Indian Army, Air Force, Navy, and other forces take part in the Yoga Day event at the INS Adyar naval base in Chennai. Quiet moment: Student Police Cadets perform yoga at Government Girls High School in Thripunithura in Kerala. Shoring up energy: The Marine Drive in Mumbai offers a picturesque venue for a yoga session. Fun footwork: The Telangana Chamber of Events Industry members perform zumba as part of Yoga Day celebrations in Hyderabad. Screen distraction: A girl takes a peek at her mobile phone during Yogandhra 2025 celebrations in Visakhapatnam.
