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New Indian Express
22-06-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Yoga mandirs to be set up in all district, taluk hospitals in Karnataka
BENGALURU: To expand the reach of yoga and integrate it into mainstream health care, the State Government will soon set up 'yoga mandirs' in all district and taluk hospitals, as well as community health centres, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao announced on Saturday during the 11th International Day of Yoga celebrations held in Vidhana Soudha. Rao also mentioned that Mysuru is being proposed as the country's first 'yoga district', with the goal of ensuring that at least one person in every household regularly practices yoga. 'A proposal to declare Mysuru a yoga district has already been submitted to the Centre. Ashtanga Yoga, which has deep roots in the state, will be given special emphasis,' he said. This year's state-wide Yoga Day celebrations, led by the Ayush department, saw more than five lakh people participate in mass demonstrations held at over 10,000 locations. Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot inaugurated the celebrations at Vidhana Soudha, where over 5,000 people performed yoga alongside other government officials. Various programmes such as 'yoga park', 'yoga dhanush', 'green yoga', 'yoga mahakumbha', and 'yoga sanyoga' were held to mark the day. Under the Yoga Dhanush programme, five lakh people were trained in yoga protocols, and steps are being taken to implement these in 5,000 schools across Karnataka.
Hans India
22-06-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Guv, Health Minister lead Yoga Day celebrations
Bengaluru: A large number of people, including Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, performed Yoga in front of iconic Vidhana Soudha here on Saturday morning, marking the 11th International Yoga Day. They participated in a synchronised mass yoga demonstration held under the Union AYUSH Ministry's 'Yoga Sangam' initiative themed 'Yoga For One Earth, One Health'. Speaking on the occasion, Minister Rao said 'Yoga Mandira's (Centres)' will be established in government hospitals across the state, to make yoga accessible to a wider population. 'We must introduce yoga—which has received global recognition—to more people. The state government is implementing various initiatives in this direction. Yoga centres will be started in all district hospitals, taluk hospitals, and community health centres across the state,' he said. Plans are already underway to designate Mysuru district as a 'Yoga District'. A proposal has been submitted to the central government regarding this. 'The goal is to ensure that at least one person in every household in Mysuru practices yoga. For the first time in the country, a state is moving towards making an entire district dedicated to yoga. The government will also place special emphasis on the traditional Ashtanga Yoga,' he added. The event at the Vidhana Soudha organised by the State's AYUSH Department in collaboration with several organisations, yoga groups, and civil society groups was inaugurated by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot. According to officials, more than 5,000 people practiced yoga on the steps of Vidhana Soudha. The Governor, Health Minister, along with other dignitaries, performed various yoga asanas at the event. Addressing the gathering, the Governor urged citizens to incorporate yoga into their daily lives and collectively strive to build a healthier, more peaceful, and balanced world. 'The practice of yoga guides us towards non-violence, compassion, and peace—values that are essential for sustainable development and the preservation of our planet. Embracing yoga to realise the vision of 'One Earth, One Health' is the need of the hour,' he said. Yoga is an invaluable gift of India's ancient tradition. It is a bridge between body and soul, thought and action, discipline and fulfillment. It fosters self-restraint, balance, and sensitivity towards nature. Rooted in India's cultural ethos, yoga has served humanity's health and well-being for millennia, he said. Highlighting yoga's unifying spirit, the Governor remarked, 'Yoga harmonises the body, mind, and emotions. It is a timeless contribution by our sages and seers and stands today as a beacon of hope for global well-being. The world has acknowledged and embraced its transformative power.' 'As the world greets the sunrise on the longest day of the year, June 21, we awaken the inner light within us through yoga. It helps us transition from stress to balance, anxiety to peace, and disorder to holistic health.' The theme for this year's International Yoga Day, 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health,' emphasises the interconnectedness of all life forms and the environment. 'Yoga is the most effective and simplest path to realize this interconnectedness,' the Governor said. Pointing to current global challenges such as climate change, mental stress, lifestyle diseases, and ecological imbalance, the Governor said yoga not only strengthens individual health but also deepens our relationship with nature. 'One Health' represents the integrated well-being of humans, animals, plants, and the planet. State BJP Chief BY Vijayendra performed yoga with along party members at the BJP office here. The Yoga Mahakumbh held at the Mysore Palace grounds witnessed a large turnout. Parallel events were also organised at district and taluk centres across the state as part of the International Yoga Day celebrations. According to an official statement, the government facilitated yoga practice for more than five lakh people at 10,000 locations across the state. A 45-minute yoga demonstration was conducted as part of the programme. Various events were organised by the Department of AYUSH on this occasion, including 'Yoga Park', 'Yoga Dhanush', 'Green Yoga', 'Yoga Mahakumbha', 'Yoga Samyoga', and 'Yoga Unplugged'. Under the 'Green Yoga' programme, one lakh saplings will be planted. Through the 'Yoga Dhanush' initiative, yoga protocol has been taught to five lakh people across the state, and arrangements have been made to implement yoga protocol in 5,000 schools, it stated. The defence personnel and their families also participated in the Yoga Day celebrations held across the state. In a statement, the Defence PRO said, the Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre celebrated International Yoga Day at Belagavi with a series of thoughtfully curated sessions and activities. More than 460 IAF personnel and families of Air force Station, Jalahalli enthusiastically participated in the International Yoga Day to mark the event as a day to rejuvenate their physical and mental prowess. The Gorkha Amphibians at Banaswadi Military Garrison observed International Yoga Day 2025 with exceptional enthusiasm and military precision, in collaboration with The Art of Living International Foundation, Bengaluru, the statement added.
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Time of India
International Yoga Day 2025: How Yoga can guide people towards sustainable living in a climate crisis
For centuries, many have described Yoga as the union of the body, mind and soul. But in today's context, that union must extend beyond the self. This is the time of climate disruption, when biodiversity is vanishing before our eyes and our generation is burdened by ecological grief, and this is when Yoga might be able to come out as our saviour by transcending its meaning of being a personal practice and instead becoming a planetary ethic. Balance is an important keyword to Yoga, but how balanced really is our world, where glaciers are melting as we practice breathing exercises in an air-conditioned room? The principles of Yoga have always been seamlessly aligned with sustainability, because how do we perform an asana (yogic posture) and forget what we are standing on? This alignment becomes clearer when we return to the foundational philosophy of the practice. Patanjali's eightfold path—Ashtanga Yoga outlines a way of living while being mindful of our current ecological reality. When each limb of Ashtanga Yoga is understood and practiced fully, it serves as a guide for planetary responsibility. In popular practice, the first two limbs - Yama and Niyama- are skipped over, but they are where sustainability actually begins. Yama highlights the relationship with the world, consisting of principles like Ahimsa (non-violence): Does what I choose to buy, eat or use harm another life—human or not? And Aparigraha (non-hoarding) which in a world obsessed with accumulation—of wealth and material feels extremely necessary given the urgency of time we are living in. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo All of these values play out every day in our daily lives, in what we use, what we waste, what we carry, and what we let go of—this is why they are far from abstract. Niyama focuses on the inner self with principles like Shaucha, usually translated as cleanliness. It asks us to keep our surroundings, along with ourselves, pure. Tapas, also known as austerity or self-discipline is extremely important to live consciously in a world immersed in the culture of convenience, and Santosha or contentment, reminds us to be happy in what little we have and push back against the constant desire for more. Next comes Asana, or postures—this is the limb most people are reminded of when they think of Yoga. But these postures themselves are a reflection of nature and not isolated exercises. When we stretch into Vrikshasana, we take inspiration from the vrikshas (trees), standing tall, steady, and rooted. When we do Padmasana, the lotus pose, we are reminded to remain clear and bloom even amidst mud or filth just as a lotus does. This is incredibly ironic. We attempt to shape ourselves into nature's forms while on the mat, but forget what we are becoming the moment we step off of it. If we want to become like the trees, we can't be the ones cutting them down. Another limb is Pranayama. It teaches us to observe energy as a flow. Inhale, pause, exhale, pause—this reflects how nature works. Breath is the most direct link between humans and the environment. Every inhalation draws oxygen from plants, and every exhalation releases carbon dioxide, which plants use to sustain life. Pranayama highlights this cycle, this interdependence between humanity and nature. T hen comes Pratyahara—the withdrawal of the self from external distractions. This means stepping away from noise. The noise of endless consumption. This is the ability to pause and notice what's enough. Dharana and Dhyana—concentration and meditation—train us in attention. Focus is a form of care. Meditation, when rooted in awareness, creates space for empathy—for forests, oceans, and everything we share this planet with. When you truly pay attention, the Earth is impossible to ignore. The final limb is Samadhi or transcendence. This is a union and also losing. Letting of the illusion that separated the self and the world. This means recognizing that the soil we stand on, the air we breathe and the water we drink are extensions of the same material that sustains us. This means, we are one with nature and nature is one with us. The eightfold path is more than ancient wisdom needed to be admired, it serves as a guide for real sustainable living. This Yoga Day, we don't need to stretch further—we need to return closer. To nature. Because if truly understood, Yoga doesn't just align the spine, it aligns us back with the Earth. By: Shubhanshi Chakraborty, Sustainability expert and a young Author One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
The Hindu
21-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Thousands gather at Hyderabad's parks and open grounds to mark International Yoga Day
On Saturday (June 21, 2025) morning, the city of Hyderabad woke to a calm yet spirited scene as thousands of residents made their way to parks and open grounds, with yoga mats in hand and dressed in comfortable attire, to celebrate the International Day of Yoga. From young children to senior citizens, people across all age groups gathered as early as 5 a.m. in neighbourhood parks to perform yoga. The State-level celebration, jointly organised by the AYUSH and Health Departments, was held at the Gachibowli Stadium and drew an enthusiastic crowd of over 5,000 participants. The event served as a focal point for the day's observances, with government officials, students, and others participating in large numbers. Among those in attendance were Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha, Sports Minister Vakiti Srihari, Sports Authority chairman Shiva Sena Reddy, and Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao. All of them joined the participants in performing yoga asanas. Homage to Maharishi Patanjali Speaking at the gathering, the Health Minister described yoga as 'one of India's greatest gifts to the world.' He paid homage to Maharishi Patanjali, whose teachings on Ashtanga Yoga form the basis of contemporary yoga practice. 'Yoga is not merely a form of physical exercise,' he said. 'It is a holistic science that brings balance to the body, mind, and spirit.' The Minister stressed the role of yoga in addressing the modern epidemic of lifestyle-related diseases. 'In today's fast-paced world, ailments like hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and kidney disorders have become alarmingly common. Even the wealthiest individuals are struggling to attain peace of mind. Yoga offers a natural and effective solution to these problems,' he said. The minister also outlined the State government's ongoing efforts to institutionalise and expand the practice of yoga across the State. 'Several initiatives have been launched in the past year, including the appointment of 630 yoga instructors, with recruitment underway for an additional 264. Daily yoga sessions are now being conducted at health sub-centres, and more than five lakh individuals have been trained in yoga during the past year alone. Efforts are also being made to integrate yoga into the education system and higher studies. The government has initiated yoga instruction in schools and colleges, and recently introduced a Postgraduate course in Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences,' he added.
United News of India
21-06-2025
- Health
- United News of India
Telangana celebrates International Yoga Day with grand event at Gachibowli Stadium
Hyderabad, June 21 (UNI) The 11th International Day of Yoga was celebrated in a grand manner at the GMC Balayogi Sports Stadium in Gachibowli on Saturday morning. The event was jointly organised by the Department of AYUSH and the Telangana Medical and Health Department. The programme commenced with a yoga photo exhibition from 0620 to 0630 hours, followed by a virtual address by Prime Minister Narendra Modi broadcast on LED screens from 0630 to 0700 hours. A 45-minute mass yoga session was then held from 0700 to 0745 hours. Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, Health Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha, Sports Minister Vakiti Srihari, Sports Authority Chairman Shivsena Reddy, Chief Secretary Ramakrishna Rao, along with several officials and students, participated in the celebrations. In total, more than 5,000 individuals performed yoga during the event. Speaking on the occasion, Health Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha said that yoga is a profound gift India has offered to the world. He emphasised remembering Maharishi Patanjali, the revered guru who systematised the ancient practice, and highlighted the significance of Ashtanga Yoga, which he described as the foundation of modern yoga. "Yoga is not just a physical exercise—it is a holistic practice that unites the body, mind, and soul," the minister said. "In today's fast-paced world, lifestyle-related ailments like blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, and kidney issues are increasing. Yoga offers the best solution for these problems." He urged everyone to incorporate yoga into their daily lives, stating that all it requires is determination and a good teacher. "Regular yoga practice enhances mental clarity, physical strength, and concentration." Minister Rajanarsimha also outlined the government's efforts under Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy's leadership to promote yoga across the state. These include the appointment of 630 yoga instructors, with another 264 appointments in progress, and the daily conduct of yoga sessions in health sub-centres. "In the past year alone, we have introduced yoga to 5 lakh new individuals. We are also encouraging yoga education in schools and colleges and are launching postgraduate courses in Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences. More initiatives will soon be rolled out to bring yoga closer to the people," he added. UNI VV ARN
