The 12th International Yoga Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm across the country to raise global awareness about the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of practicing yoga.
Bengaluru, June 21: The 12th International Yoga Day was successfully observed nationwide. Citizens, athletes, educational institutions, and fitness enthusiasts participated enthusiastically at thousands of locations across India.
This event marked another significant milestone in strengthening yoga as a global movement that fosters physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Participants in this special event included Khelo India Centres, Khelo India Centres of Excellence, educational institutions, fitness clubs, resident welfare associations, and yoga practitioners from across the country.
This year, International Yoga Day was observed with the theme “Yoga for Healthy Ageing.” The theme emphasized that yoga is a lifelong practice that supports a healthy and active lifestyle. Through a combination of *asanas* (postures), breathing exercises, and meditation techniques, yoga improves balance, flexibility, strength, mobility, and mental health.
Its suitability for people of all ages and fitness levels makes yoga an effective tool for maintaining holistic health and quality of life. This program was conducted with great success across the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka. Thousands of participants joined in, creating an enthusiastic atmosphere centered on fitness, health, and social engagement.
Key event locations:
Andhra Pradesh: • Visakhapatnam • Kurnool • Eluru • Polavaram • Vijayawada • West Godavari • Chittoor
Telangana: • Hyderabad • Asifabad • Peddapalli • Mancherial • Pebbair
Karnataka: • Bengaluru • Madikeri • Dharwad • Mandya • Gadag • Bidar
Smt. Vijayalakshmi Rajagopal, a 74-year-old yoga instructor and enthusiast, led the event organized by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) at NSSC, Bengaluru. With over 24 years of experience in teaching yoga, she embodied this year’s theme: “Yoga for Healthy Aging.”
Serving as the Vice-President of the Vishwa Viveka Bharati Trust, she actively promotes yoga by conducting free daily classes for people of all ages and has trained over 100 yoga instructors to date. Her inspiring leadership, dedication, and lifelong commitment to yoga practice served as a source of motivation for all participants. The event saw the participation of numerous yoga practitioners, including coaches, staff, athletes, students, and members of the public.
Recognizing the universal significance of yoga, the United Nations declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga on December 11, 2014. This resolution, proposed by India, received support from a record 175 member nations. This reflects the global acknowledgment of yoga as a powerful tool for fostering health, harmony, and well-being.
The successful conduct of this event across the country has further reinforced the integral role yoga plays in a healthy lifestyle. The overwhelming response and participation from people of all ages highlighted the growing awareness regarding the role of yoga in enhancing physical fitness, mental health, emotional resilience, and overall quality of life. These celebrations once again reaffirmed our collective commitment to building a healthier, stronger, and more vibrant society through the consistent practice of yoga.
