Institutes Across India Celebrate International Yoga Day, Highlighting Yoga's Holistic Benefits For Self And Society

Indian Institute of Management Lucknow celebrated the International Day of Yoga (IDY). The event saw enthusiastic participation from the IIML community, including students, faculty, staff and officials. It aimed to promote physical and mental health, raise awareness about the benefits of yoga, foster cultural understanding, build community spirit, manage stress and enhance global awareness and personal development.

Addressing the participants during the event, Archana Shukla, Director, IIM Lucknow, highlighted, "Originating in India, yoga has captured global attention and devotion. Today, people worldwide practice yoga, acknowledging its profound benefits. Beyond mere exercise, yoga is a holistic lifestyle that harmonises the mind, body and intellect, promoting overall well-being and inner peace."

This year's theme for the International Day of Yoga was "Yoga for Self and Society," emphasising the role of yoga in fostering individual well-being and societal harmony.

Participants, spanning children to adults, showcased poses like Setu Bandh, Gomukha and Hanuman, aiming to balance strength and flexibility. Each category, including men over 18 years, featured asanas requiring 30 seconds to 3 minutes to hold. The event celebrated yoga's benefits for personal wellness and community unity. Shukla honoured top achievers with prizes and certificates. Daily campus yoga sessions from May 15 to June 20 furthered holistic development goals, fostering a healthier, harmonious learning environment at IIML.

IIM Raipur, in its pursuit of promoting holistic well-being and celebrating the essence of yoga, organised a grand event to commemorate the International Day of Yoga. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from the students of the PGP 23-25 batch, esteemed faculty members and dedicated staff members. The vibrant celebration took place in the serene and spacious badminton court in Akhada (sports complex) of IIM Raipur, providing the perfect setting for a rejuvenating morning through everyday yoga sessions by our Yoga Instructor Shri Neeraj Pandey.

The event successfully concluded with a sense of accomplishment and serenity prevailing among the participants. The positive energy and renewed spirits that emanated from the celebration were palpable, leaving a lasting impact on all who attended. As the event came to a close, the attendees carried with them a deeper understanding of yoga's transformative power and its ability to cultivate a balanced and harmonious life. IIM Raipur's dedication to organising such events serves as a testament to its commitment to holistic development and the promotion of a healthy and mindful environment.

Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director IIM Sambalpur, shared, “As we celebrate the 10 edition of International Yoga Day, it’s a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come and how much further we can go. From its unanimous adoption by the UN to its celebration across the globe, Yoga has united the world. By encouraging the practice of yoga, IIM Sambalpur underscores its commitment to a balanced lifestyle, which is crucial for the rigorous academic and professional life of its students and faculty.”

Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) has also celebrated International Day of Yoga. The main function was organised by the Games & Sports Department of the university. The programme started at 7 AM, at Nawab Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi Sports Complex, JMI. Students, faculty members and staff of the university participated in yoga sessions and practised various yoga Asanaas under the guidance of a Yoga Trainer.

"In the digital age, where screens dominate children’s lives, yoga offers a crucial counterbalance," says Alka Kapur, Principal, Modern Public School, Shalimar Bagh. "The allure of digital devices leads to a sedentary lifestyle, posing significant challenges to young individuals' physical and mental well-being. Yoga, with its myriad benefits, provides a holistic approach to nurturing the bodies and minds of children, ensuring they grow up healthy and resilient."
Kapur highlights the concern that prolonged screen time hampers overall development, leading to physical inactivity, stress and reduced social interaction. "Incorporating yoga into children's routines can effectively address these issues, promoting physical fitness, mental clarity and emotional stability."

She notes that yoga enhances flexibility, strength and cardiovascular health, countering the effects of sedentary lifestyles. "Yoga poses or asanas, provide a comprehensive workout, improving posture and body awareness. Dynamic movements in yoga sequences boost cardiovascular health, enhancing circulation and lung capacity."
Pallavi Upadhyaya, Principal, DPS, Raj Nagar Extension, shared the school's enthusiastic involvement. “Our Yoga Day celebration was a resounding success, underscoring yoga's essential role in enhancing both physical fitness and mental well-being. The event brought together students, teachers and parents, fostering a sense of positivity and unity. Moving forward, we aim to integrate regular yoga sessions into our curriculum and organise workshops to further promote health and wellness.”

Amity University celebrated the 10 International Day of Yoga, on the Theme, “Yoga for Self and Society”, with the aim to provide a major fillip to yoga in line with the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India and Ministry of AYUSH to promote health & wellbeing across the globe.

During World Yoga Day celebrations at Amity, Garima Jaiswal, Assistant Professor, Amity Institute of Indian System of Medicine, Umesh Kumar, Program Leader, Amity Institute of Indian System of Medicine and Sandeep Acharya, Yoga Instructor, Amity Institute of Indian System of Medicine, led a yoga session for the faculty of Amity and taught various yoga asanas like Dandasana, Vrakasan, Vrajasana, Shashanak Asana, Manduk Asana, Bhunjagasana, Pawanmuktasana, Nadi Shodhana Pranayama, Kapalbhati Pranayama, Bhramari Pranayama and others.

On the occasion of International Yoga Day, PR Sodani, President, IIHMR University said, “ In today’s digitally-paced world, a healthy lifestyle is trending, though the feeling of loneliness remains a major concern. For our nation’s young-minds, embarking on a journey to build their career, engaging in Yoga will promote stress relief and lead to a more disciplined and patient mind. Embracing modern management studies while practising such traditional legacies, permit the conjunction of mind and body resulting in increased motivation and productivity levels. Especially for students, the pressure and tough emotions that come with high-performance expectations can be regulated through yoga. Yoga offers a sanctuary of peace, mindfulness and balance.”

DPS Indirapuram embraced the holistic benefits of yoga, with Priya John, Principal, DPS Indirapuram, highlighting the significance of the practice. "Yoga is more than just a physical exercise; it is a comprehensive approach to health and empowerment. Our Yoga Day sessions aimed to promote fitness, stress relief and personal excellence among our teachers. This initiative reflects our commitment to fostering a healthy lifestyle and a supportive environment for our faculty.”

Pacific World School also marked the occasion with enthusiastic participation, Pooja Bose, Principal, Pacific World School, expressed, "The celebration of Yoga Day at our school was an incredible journey towards inner peace. Seeing such enthusiastic participation from our learners, staff and parents was heartening. We aim to make yoga an integral part of our school culture and remain committed to promoting a balanced and healthy lifestyle."
Millennium School, Indore, celebrated International Yoga Day with great enthusiasm, fostering a sense of unity and well-being among its students and staff. The event saw active participation from students and teachers, reflecting the school's commitment to promoting a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

"Yoga is a journey that one takes from self to self and through self," encapsulates the essence of the day's activities. The celebration began with warm-up exercises, followed by a demonstration of various yoga asanas by the students. Both sitting and standing asanas were performed, with explanations provided on their significance and benefits for physical and mental health.

On this occasion, Sangeeta Uppal, Principal, The Millennium School, Indore addressed her school, stating “It is a happy moment to see my children and staff actively participating on this occasion. I would like to convey that it is important for everyone to practise yoga on a daily basis to keep oneself fit. It should be integrated in my student’s holistic life”. 

Mayank Badhwar

BW Reporters The reporter works as Senior Correspondent with BW Businessworld