I must confess—I am in awe of people who regularly practice Yoga. Personally, I’ve always preferred a brisk walk across our beautiful 400-acre university campus or sweating it out in the gym. I’m more of an “aerobics person” than a yogi!
However, yesterday as we celebrated International Yoga Day, I was particularly pleased with this year’s theme: Chair Yoga. It made the ancient practice accessible and inclusive, and to my surprise—I could do it quite well! This positive experience has inspired me to finally take the plunge and include Yoga in my regular exercise schedule.
Having just crossed 60, I’m acutely aware of how beneficial Yoga can be at my age—improving flexibility, balance, mental clarity, and reducing stress. I do wish I had started earlier, but as the saying goes: better late than never.
Yoga is not just a form of physical exercise; it is a deep spiritual and philosophical tradition that originated in India over 5,000 years ago. The earliest references to Yoga can be found in the Rig Veda, and its systematic approach was later compiled by the sage Patanjali in the form of the Yoga Sutras, around the 2nd century BCE. Patanjali laid out the eight limbs of Yoga (Ashtanga Yoga), encompassing ethical disciplines, physical postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), and meditation.
What makes Yoga unique is its integration of body, mind, and spirit. Unlike modern fitness regimes that often isolate muscle groups or focus on external appearance, Yoga promotes inner balance and resilience. Scientific studies today corroborate what our ancestors always knew—Yoga can help manage chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, anxiety, depression, and arthritis.
It is heartening to see the present generation of young people being more health-conscious than ever. However, many are drawn to the gym, Pilates, or trending fitness routines, often overlooking the time-tested, low-impact yet powerful system of Yoga.
We need to rethink how we introduce physical training in schools and colleges. Yoga should not just be reserved for International Yoga Day; it should be woven into the fabric of our education system. Through the Symbiosis Centre for Yoga we encourage our young students to practice Yoga. If children and adolescents are introduced to Yoga early on—through engaging and age-appropriate modules—they are more likely to carry this habit into adulthood, reaping lifelong health benefits. Yoga can also help students manage academic stress and improve concentration.
Interestingly, while Yoga sometimes struggles for attention in its homeland, it has found enthusiastic followers around the world. In the United States, Europe, Japan, and Australia, Yoga studios flourish. It is practiced not just for fitness but as a lifestyle choice and mental health tool. The global Yoga industry today is worth over $100 billion—a testament to its universal appeal. From Hollywood celebrities to Silicon Valley executives, people across cultures have adopted Yoga to achieve physical vitality and inner peace.
Thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative, the United Nations declared June 21 as International Yoga Day in 2014, acknowledging Yoga as a gift from India to the world. Since then, every year, millions of people around the globe participate in Yoga events, reaffirming India’s contribution to global health and wellness.
Yoga is not merely exercise. It is a way of life, a science of inner harmony, and a cultural treasure that India has generously offered to the world. As someone who has only recently embraced it, I can vouch for its inclusive, gentle, and transformative power.
Let us encourage our youth to take pride in this ancient tradition—not as a relic of the past, but as a living, breathing practice that can make their future healthier and happier.
Yoga is India’s timeless gift of health to the world—and it’s one we should all cherish.