International Yoga Day: A union of body, mind, environment

_______________

The 11th International Day of Yoga on Saturday, June 21, was marked with energy and unity at the High Commission of India in Kampala.

The event attracted Ugandan and Indian yoga enthusiasts, including diplomats, and members of the wider community.

The event was officiated by the Chairperson of the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on India Affairs, Fred Opolot, as the Chief Guest, who applauded the Indian community for sharing yoga with the world.

Participants in a group photo shortly after the yoga session at High Commission of India in Kampala, on Saturday, June 21, 2025. (Photo by Miriam Najjingo)

Acharya Dharam Dev, the Yoga Instructor of the day leading participants during the Yoga session at High Commission of India in Kampala, on Saturday, June 21, 2025. (Photo by Miriam Najjingo)

“Yoga is more than physical stretches and poses; it’s a powerful way to connect the body, mind, and spirit,” said Opolot, highlighting the deepening cultural ties between India and Uganda.

A message from the High Commissioner of India to Uganda, Upender Singh Rawat, delivered by the Second Secretary (Political and Commerce), emphasised the close connection between human health and the environment and the need for humans to protect the environment.

“The health of humanity is inseparable from the health of our environment. Through yoga, we learn to live mindfully and responsibly, fostering well-being not only for ourselves but also for our planet,” the message read.

This year’s celebration ran under the global theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” promoting a holistic view of well-being that integrates personal health with ecological responsibility. Participants engaged in guided yoga and breathing sessions, which emphasised relaxation, mindfulness, and physical vitality.

One of the participants during the yoga session at High Commission of India in Kampala, on Saturday, June 21, 2025. (Photo by Miriam Najjingo)

The event offered a moment of shared reflection and renewal. Many attendees, including first-time participants, expressed appreciation for the opportunity to connect with a practice that is both ancient and profoundly relevant to today’s challenges.

Some of the participants during the yoga session at High Commission of India in Kampala, on Saturday, June 21, 2025. (Photo by Miriam Najjingo)

Declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014, International Yoga Day is celebrated worldwide on June 21, recognising yoga not just as a personal discipline but as a tool for fostering harmony with others and with the Earth.

According to the World Health Organisation, yoga is a practice that can improve both physical and mental well-being. Yoga's benefits, as highlighted by the WHO, include stress reduction, improved mental health, and increased physical activity.