On International Day of Yoga, WHO South-East Asia Regional Director Saima Wazed emphasized yoga’s role in promoting sustainability and well-being in an increasingly challenged environment. In a statement issued on June 20 , she highlighted how yoga promotes simple living, mindful consumption, and respect for nature.
“By integrating yoga into our lives, we can lower our ecological impact and support a healthier world,” she noted.
The International Day of Yoga, celebrated each year on June 21, honors this ancient practice known for harmonizing body and mind. Wazed recalled that India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the idea at the United Nations General Assembly in 2014, suggesting the symbolic date of the Summer Solstice. The resolution, backed by 177 UN member states, led to the inaugural global celebration in 2015 and sparked a worldwide movement for wellness.
This year’s theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” underscores the connection between human health and the planet’s well-being. Wazed described yoga as more than a form of exercise it’s a path to inner harmony and greater awareness of our environment.
“Yoga teaches us to live in tune with nature,” she said, adding that it fosters a mindset of environmental responsibility. “Protecting clean air, water, and fertile land is essential not just for us, but for generations to come.”
Wazed also pointed to the growing body of scientific evidence supporting yoga’s benefits. According to her, 77% of people feel physically stronger after practicing yoga regularly. In addition, 82% of patients dealing with chronic inflammation reported nearly a 50% reduction in symptoms following six weeks of daily practice.
Yoga is also beneficial for mental health. A Harvard Medical School study found that 60% of individuals with depression experienced significant improvement in their symptoms after practicing yoga twice a week for eight weeks.
“Yoga nurtures both physical and emotional health while guiding us to live more consciously and responsibly,” Wazed concluded.
