Mayank Joshi | Yoga – vehicle for one earth, one health

On June 21, Hope Botanical Gardens in Kingston came alive as over 350 people gathered in a spirit of serenity, movement, and unity to celebrate the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY). Organised by the High Commission of India in Kingston in collaboration with the Yoga Network in Jamaica, the event welcomed participants of all backgrounds – from seasoned practitioners to first-time explorers.

The chief guest, Kamina Johnson Smith, minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade, shared her insights on the benefits of yoga, its role in promoting wellness and sustainability, and significance as a cultural bridge between India and Jamaica. Awaakaba Drummers, led by Phillip Supersad, paid vibrant tribute to this special 11th edition.

This year, yoga day was celebrated globally as a unifying force for wellness and sustainability with the 2025 theme: ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’. This theme echoes a truth long embedded in Indian philosophy – that health is not just the absence of illness, but the presence of balance between the body, the mind, the spirit, and nature.

The theme connects to India’s broader G20 vision of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’, reminding us that global health and well-being are deeply interwoven with the environment and with each other.

TIMELESS HERITAGE

Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient spiritual tradition and is far more than physical exercise. The Sanskrit word yog comes from yuj, meaning to join or unite – a profound concept symbolising the union of mind and body, of restraint and fulfilment, of self and universe. It is a holistic practice that integrates movement, breath, meditation, and ethical living to promote harmony within and around us.

On December 11, 2014, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga (IDY). The chosen date, June 21, marks the Summer Solstice – the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere and a symbolic moment of light, vitality, and transformation across cultures.

Since the first IDY in 2015, India has spearheaded global celebrations under the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, both in India and abroad. The mass participation and enthusiasm for IDY – even during the COVID-19 pandemic – reflect its deep and growing impact on global health awareness and lifestyle change. The logo of International Day of Yoga reflects harmony and peace for humanity, which is the essence of yoga.

GLOBAL MOVEMENT

Over the past decade, IDY has grown into a worldwide movement for wellness, with participation swelling from 95.9 million in 2018 to an estimated 245.3 million in 2024. In 2025, India marked this momentous 11th edition with 10 signature events that capture the spirit, adaptability, and relevance of yoga across sectors and age groups. At the heart of this celebration has been Yoga Sangam (confluence) a synchronised mass yoga demonstration following the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP), developed by Indian yoga experts and accessible in 22 Indian languages, six UN languages, and nine other foreign languages.

India celebrated the International Day of Yoga with the world’s largest-ever yoga gathering, now etched in the Guinness Book of World Records. Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined thousands of participants in the city of Visakhapatnam, in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh for a historic yoga session by the sea. Extending greetings to people across the world on the occasion, the prime minister said: “Yoga has united the world, beyond borders, backgrounds, or abilities. Yoga is the pause button humanity needs – to breathe, to balance, to become whole again.”

EXPANDING ACCESS

The 10 signature events of IDY 2025 go far beyond traditional yoga practice, offering innovative and inclusive ways to connect yoga with today’s most pressing challenges. Yoga Sangam brought over one million organisations across India. Yoga Bandhan (bond) aimed to promote global exchange by encouraging collaboration between Indian yoga institutions and international partners. Yoga Park aimed to turn everyday parks into accessible wellness zones where people of all ages and backgrounds can practise yoga regularly. To support underserved groups, Yoga Samavesh (inclusiveness) introduced specially designed yoga routines for children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Yoga Prabhav (impact) presented in-depth research on the long-term impact of IDY, offering insights to shape future health policies.

Yoga Connect brought together leading voices in yoga to foster cross-cultural partnerships and strengthen its global relevance. Harit (green) Yoga linked the practice to environmental awareness through activities like tree planting, clean-up drives, and sustainability education. For younger audiences, Yoga Unplugged offered both online and offline experiences – from festivals and music-infused sessions to creative challenges – that make yoga more relatable and engaging. Yoga Maha Kumbh brought yoga into the public square with themed celebrations across 10 Indian cities, focused on youth, inclusivity, and environmental care.

Samyoga explored how yoga can work alongside traditional medical systems such as ayurveda, naturopathy, and homoeopathy, encouraging integrated approaches to holistic health. Together, these events highlight how yoga continues to evolve as a powerful tool for personal, societal, and global well-being – whether practised in a classroom, a clinic, a park, or online.

This year, the prime minister’s Yoga Awards 2025 aim to honour two national and two international individuals or organisations for their outstanding efforts in promoting yoga worldwide.

In Jamaica, the International Day of Yoga is more than a symbolic observance – it reflects the growing cultural and wellness ties between India and Jamaica. Yoga is increasingly practised across the island in schools, community spaces, and retreats, where Jamaicans embrace its benefits for mental calm, physical health, and inner balance.

Yoga has emerged as a key element of strong and deeply rooted India-Jamaica cultural partnership. The High Commission of India also conducts yoga classes every day. The celebration of International Day of Yoga marks shared values and global unity. It is not just a global movement, but a path towards deeper sense of harmony with oneself, others, and our planet Earth.

Mayank Joshi is the high commissioner of India to Jamaica. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com