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Miami Herald
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Wai Lana's ‘Namaste' Music Video Explodes to Over 15 Million Views as Her Unity Message Attracts New Audiences
A Timeless Yoga Anthem is Blowing Up on TikTok - Showing That Meaningful Messages Can Light Up the Internet CALIFORNIA CITY, CALIFORNIA / ACCESS Newswire / July 1, 2025 / Originally released 10 years ago and recently re-released, this highly resonant and relevant music video is proving that authentic spiritual content can thrive on TikTok. Wai Lana's "Namaste" was originally created in honor of the first International Yoga Day in 2015. At the time, it was broadcast at the United Nations Yoga Day celebration and featured at Times Square where thousands of people gathered to celebrate. Now in 2025, it has exploded to over 15 million views on TikTok in about one week, demonstrating the platform's power to inspire people of all ages with the timeless wisdom of yoga. The phenomenon began when the video hit one million TikTok views in 24 hours following its anniversary re-release, but what started as a milestone has transformed into something deeper. Unlike typical viral content with short lifespans, "Namaste" has maintained steady growth throughout the week as viewers continue showing overwhelming support with their likes, comments, and shares. The song's message that the choices we make as individuals can create meaningful change has proven prophetic in this digital age. "We can be little lights / Together shining bright / Lighting up the world," Wai Lana sings, and that's exactly what's happening as viewers enthusiastically spread the message. Each like and share represents someone choosing to be a "little light" - proving that small individual actions can indeed illuminate the world when multiplied across a global platform. This organic spread comes at a particularly significant time. As mental health concerns reach critical levels and global tensions escalate, the message of interconnectedness in "Namaste" is resonating with people wanting peace and authentic connection. "What fascinates me is seeing people of all ages embracing a message I humbly introduced a decade ago," says Wai Lana. "That so many people are being touched by this authentic and uplifting message shows they are hungry for wisdom, not just entertainment." The "Namaste" music video is available at TikTok, and other online platforms. About Wai Lana: Wai Lana has been at the forefront of bringing authentic yoga wisdom to mainstream audiences for over four decades. As creator and host of "Wai Lana Yoga," the longest-running fitness series on public television, she was a major pioneer in making the Eastern practices of yoga and meditation accessible in the West. Her approach emphasizes yoga as a complete lifestyle rather than merely physical exercise, offering a gentle and effective approach to improving physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. With content now spanning traditional television, streaming platforms, and social media, Wai Lana continues to adapt ancient wisdom for contemporary seekers of all ages with her music videos and new Wai Lana Insights series. Wai Lana - Official Sites: Official Website - - - - Related Video SOURCE: Wai Lana press release
News18
20-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
Yoga As India's Soft Power: PM Modi's Vision And The Global Embrace Of Indian Culture
Last Updated: Through yoga, India has not only enhanced its global influence but also inspired millions to connect with its timeless wisdom Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, yoga has transcended its ancient roots to become one of India's most potent instruments of soft power, fostering global goodwill, igniting interest in Indian culture and spirituality, and uniting millions across borders. Since 2014, Modi's unwavering advocacy for yoga has transformed it into a universal practice, celebrated worldwide as a pathway to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Through initiatives like the establishment of International Yoga Day, the creation of the Ministry of AYUSH, and high-profile events such as the 2023 United Nations Yoga Day celebration, PM Modi has positioned yoga as a cultural ambassador, showcasing India as a benign, inclusive, and well-intentioned global player. The Rise of Yoga as India's Soft Power Yoga, derived from the Sanskrit word 'yuj", meaning to unite, embodies the harmony of mind, body, and spirit—a philosophy rooted in India's ancient civilisation. While yoga has long been a global practice, PM Modi's leadership has given it unprecedented visibility, transforming it into a tool of public diplomacy. In his 2014 address to the United Nations General Assembly, PM Modi proposed June 21 as International Yoga Day, a resolution that garnered overwhelming support from 177 nations and was unanimously adopted on December 11, 2014. This historic move, backed by spiritual leaders like Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who noted that state patronage was essential for yoga's survival, marked the beginning of yoga's journey as a global cultural phenomenon. PM Modi's vision framed yoga as a universal gift, free from copyrights or religious exclusivity, making it accessible to people of all ages, faiths, and backgrounds. The 2023 UN Yoga Day: A Global Milestone The 9th International Yoga Day on June 21, 2023, was a landmark event, with PM Modi leading a historic yoga session at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Held at the North Lawn, the event drew thousands of participants from over 135 nationalities, setting a Guinness World Record for the most diverse yoga session. The theme, 'Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (One Earth, One Family, One Future), encapsulated PM Modi's vision of yoga as a unifying force. Joined by UN officials, diplomats, and cultural figures, PM Modi emphasised yoga's role in fostering peace and eliminating contradictions, stating, 'Yoga connects us with that consciousness which makes us feel the unity of the living being." The event, attended by UNGA President Csaba Korosi and New York Mayor Eric Adams, highlighted yoga's global acceptance and India's leadership in promoting it. This high-profile celebration was more than a yoga session; it was a diplomatic triumph. PM Modi's presence at the UN, coinciding with his state visit to the United States, underscored yoga's role as an icebreaker in global dialogues. He noted that nearly every world leader he meets discusses yoga, with many requesting literature or sharing their own practice. The event's scale—250 million participants worldwide—demonstrated yoga's universal appeal, with sessions held in cities like New York, Paris, Beijing, and Kuala Lumpur. In India, events like the one at Surat set another Guinness World Record, with over 21,000 participants, while tribal artisans contributed 34,000 yoga mats, blending cultural promotion with socio-economic development. Igniting Global Interest in Indian Culture and Spirituality PM Modi's advocacy has sparked a global curiosity about Indian culture and spirituality, positioning yoga as a gateway to India's philosophical heritage. The practice's emphasis on mindfulness, meditation, and ethical values has drawn millions to explore texts like the Bhagavad Gita and concepts like Karmayoga. In the West, where one in three Americans has tried yoga, the practice has penetrated influential demographics—politicians, diplomats, and corporate leaders—creating a positive image of India as a healer. Saudi Arabia's decision to introduce yoga in universities and recognise it as a sport reflects PM Modi's success in projecting yoga as India's civilisational-spiritual gift to the world while at the same time keeping it unencumbered from religious exclusivity. The Modi government's initiatives have amplified this cultural outreach. The establishment of the Ministry of AYUSH in November 2014 elevated traditional systems like yoga to a national priority, with its budget rising to Rs 3,647.50 crore by 2023–24. The ministry's digital efforts, such as the 'Namaste Yoga" app launched in 2021, have made yoga accessible globally, offering classes and tracking features. Deploying certified yoga teachers to Indian missions abroad has further internationalised the practice, with events during India's G20 presidency in 2023 showcasing yoga's efficacy in global healthcare. The National Health Policy 2017's inclusion of yoga in schools and workplaces has rooted it in India's domestic fabric, reinforcing its global projection. A Lasting Legacy PM Modi's proud espousal of yoga has cemented its place as India's strongest soft power asset, fostering unity, health, and cultural pride. The 2023 UN Yoga Day event, alongside initiatives like the Ministry of AYUSH and PM Yoga Awards, has globalised yoga while igniting interest in India's spiritual and cultural heritage. With themes like 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health" for 2025, Modi continues to champion yoga as a bridge across cultures, embodying India's ethos of harmony and inclusivity. top videos View all As Defence Minister Rajnath Singh noted, yoga's global celebration reflects the world's embrace of India's rich culture, a testament to PM Modi's vision of a united, healthier world. Through yoga, India has not only enhanced its global influence but also inspired millions to connect with its timeless wisdom. First Published: June 20, 2025, 21:33 IST
