By Sarafina Christopher
Acting Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms. Vartika Rawat, urged communities to embrace yoga for physical vitality, mental clarity, and environmental harmony.
Speaking at the 11th International Yoga Day in Abuja, themed “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” Rawat highlighted yoga’s holistic power to heal.
The term “Yoga,” derived from the Sanskrit “Yuj,” means “to unite”—symbolising the fusion of body, mind, and environment in one integrated practice.
Rawat said since 2015, Yoga Day has become a global movement, enhancing physical health and nurturing mental resilience across cultures.
This year’s theme, she noted, underlines how personal well-being and planetary health are deeply interconnected and mutually dependent.
“Yoga teaches us balance—not just within, but in how we relate to the Earth,” she said.
In today’s high-pressure world, she said, yoga offers peace, healing, and a vital counter to stress and lifestyle diseases.
“Regular practice boosts flexibility, strength, balance, heart health, and immunity—helping the body thrive,” she added.
Rawat also spotlighted yoga’s success in managing chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension, through mindfulness and breath control.
The high commissioner emphasised the importance of inclusivity in yoga, urging the Nigerian government to ensure that the benefits of this practice are accessible to everyone.
“By democratising yoga, we empower individuals to take charge of their health, which is essential for building a healthy nation,” she said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Nkiru Ifeajuna/Yakubu Uba
