Mumbai : The Yoga Institute (TYI) in
Santacruz, Mumbai—the world's oldest organized yoga centre and a pioneer in
holistic health education for over 107 years—celebrated the 12th International
Day of Yoga (IDY) with remarkable scale and enthusiasm. Aligned with this
year's theme, "Yoga for Healthy Ageing," the Institute engaged lakhs
of participants through hundreds of programmes across government institutions,
defence establishments, corporate offices, educational campuses, airports, and
digital platforms globally.
From Mumbai to Chennai, Jaipur to
Bhubaneswar, the celebrations promoted healthy ageing across generations and
professions, highlighting yoga's role in preventive healthcare, resilience, and
conscious living.
On this occasion, Dr. Hansaji
Yogendra shared: "Ageing is a natural process, but decline is not. Through
yoga, we can maintain strength in the body, clarity in the mind, balance in the
emotions, and joy in the heart. Healthy ageing is not about adding years to
life alone; it is about adding vitality, independence, and purpose to every
year of life."
Having touched over 10 crore
lives, trained more than 100,000 certified teachers, and earned the Prime
Minister's Award for Outstanding Contribution to Yoga, The Yoga Institute
continues to advance authentic yoga education worldwide, empowering individuals
to lead healthier and more meaningful lives.
Key Highlights of the Celebration
- 3-Day Online Yoga Festival (19–21 June): Attracting
global participation, the festival featured sessions by ISKCON monk
Gauranga Das Ji, nutritionist Ryan Fernando, holistic health expert Mickey
Mehta, and senior TYI teachers. Participants explored practical approaches
to healthy ageing through meditation, nutrition, stress management, and
sound healing.
- Bandra Reclamation Mega Session: Thousands gathered
for a grand community yoga session under the guidance of Dr. Hansaji
Yogendra, Director of The Yoga Institute. The event was attended by Shri
Ashish Shelar, Cabinet Minister, Government of Maharashtra, and wellness
advocate Terence Lewis.
- Yoga by the Bay (Marine Drive): Organized in
association with The Times of India, Shaina NC, and Mickey Mehta, this
sunrise session drew thousands of participants. Dignitaries including Smt.
Anupriya Patel, Shri Jitin Prasada, and Shri Jayant Chaudhary attended,
reflecting a growing national commitment to public health.
Institutional, Educational, and
Corporate Outreach
The Institute expanded its
outreach with targeted programmes for diverse sectors:
- Public & Defence Sector: Sessions were held at
the Maharashtra Mantralaya, CCRYN, Mumbai International Airport (T1 and
T2), CISF, the Indian Army, and the Indian Air Force to support mental
clarity and physical well-being.
- Educational Institutions: Programmes across BMC
schools and colleges—including Mithibai, NMIMS, Chetana, and Thakur
College—introduced students to yoga for self-development.
- Corporate Wellness: Initiatives were organized for
ONGC, SBI, Bank of Baroda, Mazagon Dock, and Tata Care. A large-scale
partnership with Macleods Pharmaceuticals also enabled yoga programmes
across multiple cities nationwide.
- Community engagement was further strengthened
through sessions at post offices including the General Post Office (GPO),
Mahim, Mumbai Central, and Vile Parle, as well as through programmes
organized with the Chandok Group across Borivali, Andheri, and Chembur,
ensuring that yoga reached diverse sections of society.
For over 107 years, The Yoga Institute has remained at the forefront of authentic Yoga education and community wellness. Having touched more than 10 crore lives, trained over 100,000 certified Yoga teachers, published more than a thousand books, and nurtured a digital community exceeding 10 million+ individuals worldwide, the Institute continues to play a transformative role in making yoga accessible to people from every background. Its extraordinary contribution to the field of Yoga has been nationally recognized through the prestigious Prime Minister's Award for Outstanding Contribution to Yoga, conferred by the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi.