By Sarafina Christopher
The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Amb. Abhishek Singh, has called for wider adoption of yoga as a tool for promoting wellness, mental well-being and healthy ageing.
Singh made the call on Saturday during the celebration of the 12th International Day of Yoga organised by the Indian High Commission in Abuja.
The event, themed “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” brought together government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, the Indian community, students and yoga enthusiasts.
Yoga is an ancient mind-body practice from India that combines physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation.
It is widely practiced for exercise, stress relief, and improving flexibility, strength, and overall well-being.
Scientific evidence supports that regular yoga practice can relieve chronic lower back pain, ease symptoms of arthritis, improve sleep quality and reduce stress as well as boost cardiovascular health and flexibility
Singh said yoga is an ancient practice that offers physical, mental and spiritual benefits, while helping people maintain healthy lifestyles across all age groups.
According to him, yoga promotes harmony between the mind, body and soul, while also fostering balance between humans and nature.
“Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice. It is an invaluable gift to humankind from ancient India.
“It embodies the unison of mind, body and soul and offers a holistic approach to health and well-being,” he said.
Singh also added that in today’s fast-paced world, yoga provides a dedicated space for people to reduce stress, improve mental clarity and build physical strength.
He noted that through stretching, breathing exercises and mindfulness, yoga could improve balance, flexibility, mobility and emotional stability.
“It is a secret superpower. It builds strong bodies and teaches us how to find calm when life gets loud,” he said.
Moreover, he said, yoga had transcended borders, languages and cultures to become a universal language of peace and holistic wellness.
He recalled that the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga in 2014 following a call by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to him, yoga was also inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016.
Singh urged Nigerians to adopt yoga as part of their daily lives to promote healthier living and inner peace.
“Yoga is not just about exercise; it is a way to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and nature,” he said.
Dignitaries includes Babagana Wakil, Chief of Protocol at Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Muhammad Dahiru, Nigeria’s High Commissioner-Designate to India; Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and Bukola Olopade, Director-General NSC.
NAN reports that the International Day of Yoga is observed annually across the world to raise awareness on the physical, mental and spiritual benefits of yoga and encourage healthier lifestyles.(NAN)
Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz