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Peace and Unity in the Cold: 600 Gather for 11th International Day of Yoga at Union Buildings

International Day of Yoga will be observed on Saturday. Image: Supplied Hundreds of people, ranging in age from 3 to 70 and representing diverse communities—including foreigners and diplomats — gathered in the Union Buildings gardens on a chilly morning to practice yoga together. The event united individuals from all walks of life in a shared commitment to wellness, mindfulness, and community spirit. The High Commission of India warmly invited the public to join the celebration of the 11th International Day of Yoga 2025, held at the South Lawns of the Union Buildings in Pretoria. This significant day fosters unity, health, and empowerment through the ancient practice of yoga. The buildup to the event began with the International Day of Yoga Curtain Raiser, organised at India House on 21 May 2025. Attendees included members of the International Diplomatic Spouses Association, representatives of various yoga institutes, and the Indian diaspora. In a conversation about the event, Bev Naude, a passionate yogi from Pretoria, shared her long-standing involvement. 'I have been practising yoga for 60 years in total,' she said. 'I have participated in every International Day of Yoga since its inception in 2015, starting with our first event at the 7th of March Hall in Laudium.' Bev, who serves on the organising committee, is also the founder and coordinator of the Tshwane Yoga Festival, created to complement the International Day of Yoga, which falls in the South African winter. 'Two years ago, I suggested holding the festival in summer or spring to make it more accessible, and that idea was well received,' she explained. Now in its third year, the festival has become very successful, held at the University Campus in the east. Bev works closely with the High Commission of India on International Day of Yoga events, corporate functions, and the Tshwane Yoga Festival. She expressed her honour to be part of this year's celebration, noting her deep connections within Pretoria's yoga community and mentoring younger yogis such as Tamara. After the yoga session, participants were treated to snacks, drinks, and traditional Indian masala tea. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The gathering concluded with a group photo taken against the iconic backdrop of the Union Buildings. Among the sponsors supporting the event were Manzarali, Virgin Active, Taj Cape Town, Tata, and Mahindra Rise, whose contributions helped make the celebration possible. 'As our Prime Minister, Hon. Narendra Modi, said yesterday on the occasion of the International Day of Yoga — 'Yoga is the pause button our humanity needs to breathe, to balance, and to become whole again.'' quoted Prabhat Kumar, High Commissioner of India to South Africa, while addressing hundreds of yoga enthusiasts gathered at the Union Buildings in Pretoria to mark the 11th International Day of Yoga. The High Commissioner emphasised that yoga, which unites body and mind, is now a global practice that fosters compassion, balance, and harmony — qualities that proved especially vital during the Covid-19 pandemic. During that time, India launched the 'Vaccine Maitri' initiative, supplying life-saving vaccines and medicines to 150 countries in the spirit of Vasudev Kutumbakam — the world is one family.'We celebrated the 11th edition of the International Day of Yoga in South Africa, with an enthusiastic crowd of over 600 people gathering in front of the iconic Union Buildings. ''We had a wonderful yoga session, and everyone who participated was deeply engaged and appreciative, especially on this cold winter morning,' said Banu Prakash, Deputy High Commissioner of India in Pretoria. 'Yoga, as you know, is India's gift to the world, and its growing popularity globally is reflected here as well. The fact that this is the 11th consecutive year of celebration in South Africa is a testament to yoga's rising embrace in the country.