- UN hosts guided meditation led by Deepak Chopra with over 1,200 participants
- PM Modi calls for “Yoga for Humanity 2.0” at mass session in Visakhapatnam
- Experts highlight yoga’s role in boosting mental health for mothers and children
The 11th International Yoga Day was observed globally with the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” reflecting yoga’s increasing significance in addressing both personal well-being and collective planetary health.
In India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a grand celebration on the Visakhapatnam coastline, emphasizing yoga’s universal appeal and its potential to foster inner peace as a global value.
Yoga for One Earth, One Health: A Global Call for Balance and Wellness
At the heart of this year’s International Yoga Day was the belief that personal and planetary wellness are intertwined. The UN event in New York, hosted by India’s Permanent Mission, brought together a diverse group of participants on colorful mats for a peaceful session of mindfulness, highlighting yoga’s power as a diplomatic and cultural connector.
PM Modi’s participation in Andhra Pradesh added political and emotional weight to the celebration. “Yoga is beyond borders and boundaries,” he said, urging the world to embrace inner peace as part of a broader global policy. His speech touched on the growing relevance of yoga amid rising mental health concerns and fast-paced lifestyles.
Yoga’s benefits for specific groups like mothers and children were also spotlighted. Healthcare experts emphasized that simple daily practices can help reduce stress, improve focus, and regulate emotions. For children, yoga strengthens the prefrontal cortex and nurtures resilience — essential tools for today’s digitally distracted generation.
The increasing adoption of yoga worldwide, from New Delhi to Malaysia, reflects India’s success in transforming it into a soft power symbol. What began as a cultural heritage now stands as a tool for global wellness, with the UN’s endorsement further validating its universal value. This transformation underscores how ancient traditions can address modern anxieties.
International Yoga Day 2025 offered not just a moment of collective mindfulness, but a powerful reminder that inner balance can inspire global harmony.
“Yoga is for everyone, beyond boundaries, backgrounds, age or ability.” — PM Narendra Modi
