Yoga is universal — it can be practised anywhere, at any time, and by anyone irrespective of age, gender, culture or nationality. Yoga is a powerful tool for individuals, communities and countries to improve both mental and physical health.

Yoga has been shown to have immediate psychological benefits, decreasing anxiety and stress, and increasing feelings of emotional and social well-being. It helps prevent and control noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) — cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes, among others — that are a rising cause of disability and premature death.

Yoga has helped hundreds of millions of people across the world stay healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is consistent with the WHO principle that states, “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”.

Making yoga a part of our daily activities can help countries around the world achieve the NCD target of 15% relative reduction in physical inactivity by 2030. In India, health and frontline workers at Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Centres encourage the community they serve to adopt yoga to promote health, prevent and manage diseases ­— including NCDs — and accelerate recovery from ill-health and injuries.  

On the International Day of Yoga, let’s all celebrate the physical and mental health benefits of yoga and highlight its contributions to lifelong health and well-being for all.