Yoga offers path to sustainability: WHO regional director Saima Wazed

Synopsis Saima Wazed, WHO South-East Asia Regional Director, highlights yoga's role in promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility on International Day of Yoga. She emphasizes that yoga fosters mindful consumption and respect for nature, reducing our ecological impact. Studies reveal yoga's benefits, including increased strength, reduced inflammation, and improved mental health, reinforcing its holistic value for individuals and the planet. In a world facing environmental challenges, yoga offers a path to sustainability by encouraging people to live simply, consume mindfully, and respect the natural world, WHO South-East Asia Regional Director Saima Wazed said on the eve of International Day of Yoga.
ADVERTISEMENT "In embracing yoga, we can reduce our ecological footprint and contribute to a healthier planet," she said in a statement on Friday.
The International Day of Yoga, marked annually on 21 June, celebrates this timeless practice that nurtures body and soul, she said.
It was first proposed by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the United Nations General Assembly in 2014. Recognizing yoga's universal appeal, he suggested the Summer Solstice - 21 June - as a symbolic date, Wazed said.With 177 UN member states co-sponsoring the resolution, the proposal received overwhelming support, and the day was first celebrated in 2015, starting a global wellness movement, she said.This year's theme, "Yoga for One Earth, One Health," reminds us of the deep connection between our well-being and the health of our planet, she added.
ADVERTISEMENT "Yoga is more than just physical exercise. It is a journey towards inner peace and harmony, and teaches us to listen to our bodies and to live mindfully. As we practice yoga, we become more aware of our surroundings, and more attunes to the rhythm of nature," Wazed stated."In a world facing environmental challenges, yoga offers a path to sustainability by encouraging us to live simply, consume mindfully, and respect the natural world. In embracing yoga, we can reduce our ecological footprint and contribute to a healthier planet," she said.
ADVERTISEMENT Clean air, pure water, and fertile soil are essential for our well-being. Yoga encourages us to protect these vital resources and ensure a thriving planet for future generations, Wazed said.The benefits of yoga are well-documented, she said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Studies have shown that 77 per cent of people report feeling physically stronger after practising yoga regularly. 82 per cent of patients with chronic inflammation experienced a nearly 50 per cent reduction in inflammation after just six weeks of daily yoga. Yoga can also help mental health, she added.
A study by Harvard Medical School found that 60 per cent of participants with depression experienced a significant reduction in symptoms after practising yoga twice a week for eight weeks, Wazed said. PTI
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
(Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.)
Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates.
NEXT STORY

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

United News of India

43 minutes ago

• United News of India

ASI waives off monument fees for Yoga Day participation

New Delhi, Jun 21 (UNI) In order to ensure maximum participation of people on International Day of Yoga on June 21, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under the Union Ministry of Culture has waived off the entry fee at all its centrally protected monuments across the country. While the main event at Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh will be led by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, the Union Cabinet Ministers will join Yoga enthusiasts at various historical sites where the ASI in collaboration with Union Ministry of Ayush, has planned to host yoga sessions. At least 81 centrally protected monuments have been identified for the session including historical sites such as Purana Qila (Delhi), Gol Gumbaz (Karnataka), Konark Sun Temple (Odisha), Chittorgarh Fort (Rajasthan), Elephanta Caves (Maharashtra) and 76 other historical places under ASI. The celebrations will witness the presence of the Union Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah at Adalaj Vav, Ahmedabad; Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri at Safdarjung Tomb, Delhi; Union Minister of Commerce and Industries Piyush Goyal at Kanheri Caves, Mumbai. Likewise, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi will join yoga enthusiasts at Group of temples at Pattadakal along with other key dignitaries across different locations. 'These sessions will underscore the importance of holistic health and environmental consciousness deeply rooted in yogic philosophy,' said ASI in a statement here. Welcoming the initiative, Dr (Prof) Daljit Singh, a neurosurgeon and former Head of Department of Neurosurgery at GB Pant Hospital, Delhi said that 'waiving off the entry fees to ASI-protected monuments on International Day of Yoga is an excellent way to encourage more people to connect with the cultural heritage of India while celebrating yoga. 'Monuments and heritage sites are often places of serenity, which can complement the peaceful and meditative nature of yoga,' he added. Aligned with this year's theme of 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health'- this grand yoga festival aims to promote the timeless connection between India's cultural heritage and ancient wellness practices. UNI AJ RKM

NDTV

an hour ago

• NDTV

International Yoga Day 2025: Perform These Yoga Poses At Work Today For Better Health

The International Day of Yoga, celebrated every year on June 21st, was declared by the United Nations in 2014 to recognise the global importance of yoga in promoting holistic health. Rooted in ancient Indian tradition, yoga blends physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation to nurture both the body and mind. Its importance lies in encouraging people across the world to embrace a healthy and mindful lifestyle, regardless of age, background, or fitness level even in modern, fast-paced environments like workplaces. Keep reading as we share a list of yoga poses you can try at work for better health. Yoga poses you can perform at work 1. Seated cat-cow stretch (desk cat-cow) Sit on the edge of your chair with feet flat on the floor. Place your hands on your knees. Inhale, arch your back, lift your chest and chin toward the ceiling (Cow Pose). Exhale, round your spine, tuck your chin to your chest and pull your belly in (Cat Pose). Repeat slowly for 5–8 rounds. 2. Seated spinal twist Sit upright with your feet flat on the floor. Place your right hand on the back of your chair and your left hand on your right thigh. Inhale, lengthen your spine. Exhale, gently twist your torso to the right. Hold for 5 breaths, return to centre, and repeat on the other side. 3. Neck rolls Sit tall in your chair with shoulders relaxed. Drop your chin toward your chest. Slowly rotate your head in a clockwise circle. Complete 3 slow rolls, then reverse direction. Be gentle and move with the breath. 4. Chair pigeon pose Sit upright in your chair. Cross your right ankle over your left knee, forming a figure-4. Keep your foot flexed to protect your knee. Gently lean forward to deepen the stretch. Hold for 5–8 breaths, then switch legs. 5. Seated side stretch Sit tall with feet flat and spine straight. Raise your right arm overhead. Gently lean to the left while keeping your hips grounded. Hold for 5 breaths, feeling the stretch along your right side. Come back to centre and repeat on the other side. These office-friendly yoga poses take only a few minutes and can make a big difference in how you feel physically and mentally throughout your workday.

News18

an hour ago

• News18

Yoga At 20,000 Feet: Indian Army Soldiers Mark International Yoga Day At Siachen

Last Updated: According to the Indian Army, troops participated in the yoga practice early Friday morning as part of coordinated celebrations held nationwide. The Indian Army marked the 11th International Day of Yoga by conducting yoga sessions at the Siachen Glacier, including at the base camp and forward posts, braving sub-zero temperatures and one of the most unforgiving terrains on the planet. According to the Indian Army, troops participated in the yoga practice early Friday morning as part of coordinated celebrations held nationwide. The sessions at Siachen, the highest battlefield in the world, were carried out despite extreme weather conditions and high-altitude challenges, reinforcing yoga's relevance in maintaining resilience and endurance among soldiers. Visuals shared by the Army on official social media platforms showed personnel performing Yoga asanas against the snow-covered backdrop of Siachen, which is located at an altitude of over 20,000 feet and considered the highest battlefield in the world. The International Day of Yoga is observed annually on June 21 following a United Nations resolution adopted in 2014. This year's global theme, 'Yoga for Self and Society," emphasises individual wellness and collective harmony. Yoga has been formally integrated into the Indian Army's routine training and wellness programs, particularly for troops deployed in high-stress, high-altitude environments such as Siachen. First Published: June 20, 2025, 21:17 IST