As the countdown to the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) begins, the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C. brought energy and enthusiasm to the iconic Lincoln Memorial with a spirited yoga session on Thursday. Locals, yoga enthusiasts, and members of the Indian diaspora came together in large numbers to celebrate yoga’s global impact and India’s rich civilizational heritage.
India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, welcomed attendees with heartfelt gratitude, describing the event as “a joyful tribute to India’s timeless gift to the world.” He commended the diverse gathering, which included both U.S. citizens and Indian-American families, for honoring this tradition and making yoga a vibrant celebration of unity and wellbeing.
Leading the session was renowned yoga and meditation instructor Acharya Govind Brahmachari, who delved into yoga’s spiritual roots. “Yoga is more than stretching and poses—it’s a path toward inner liberation and oneness with the universe,” he explained. He emphasized that asanas are only one part of a holistic system designed to calm the mind and cultivate mental freedom.
Dr. Smita Patel, a medical professional who joined the event, praised the initiative and highlighted yoga’s vital role in mental and physical health. “I commend Prime Minister Modi for initiating this global movement. Yoga is essential, like air or medicine—it helps with anxiety, focus, and childhood development,” she said, referencing the year’s IDY theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.”
Acharya Madhuvartanand Avdhut from Ananda Marga added historical and philosophical context, stating that the origins of yoga trace back to Lord Shiva. “Yoga is a three-part practice—Asana, Darshan, and Sadhana—and it has the potential to promote global peace and human unity,” he remarked.
This year’s celebrations reflect yoga’s growing recognition as not just a fitness tool but a complete philosophy for healthy living. In India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead a grand beachfront session in Visakhapatnam with over half a million participants. More than 3.5 lakh yoga events are planned nationwide, bolstered by interactive digital campaigns like Yoga with Family and Yoga Unplugged to deepen engagement, especially among youth.
The 2025 theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” reinforces the interconnectedness of personal and planetary wellbeing—a principle anchored in India’s timeless ethos of Sarve Santu Niramaya (“May all be free from disease”). Since the UN’s 2015 adoption of India’s IDY proposal, yoga has blossomed into a global wellness movement that continues to inspire unity and holistic health.
