Bengaluru's NIMHANS to celebrate International Yoga Day with focus on mental health of older adults
The Department of Integrative Medicine at NIMHANS, Bengaluru, is all set to celebrate the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) on June 21, with a number of programmes dedicated to promoting mental wellbeing through yoga.
This year's celebration at NIMHANS features a unique initiative titled 'Yoga Samavesha – A Yoga-based Mental Health Initiative for Older Adults,' supported by the Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy (CCRYN), Union Ministry of AYUSH. This special programme is aimed at bringing attention to the mental health needs of senior citizens and older adults, particularly those residing in old age homes across Bengaluru, said Hemant Bhargav, Associate Professor of Integrative Medicine, who is leading the initiative.
The day's events will include yoga sangama, mass yoga session for staff and students at Gymkhana grounds, yoga for patients at Ashwini Hall, and yoga samavesha - a dedicated yoga practice session for older adults at the Gymkhana community hall.
Senior citizens from various old age homes across the city will gather for a specially designed yoga session tailored to support their mental health, emotional balance, and physical vitality. This inclusive session will be led by yoga therapists from the Department of Integrative Medicine, and is part of a broader outreach effort to make yoga more accessible to the underprivileged and vulnerable segments of the society, Dr. Bhargav said.
A special panel discussion will follow the yoga samavesha session, where leading experts from NIMHANS will share insights on how yoga and lifestyle practices can support mental wellbeing in older adults, he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
PM Modi to lead 11th International Yoga Day celebrations from Visakhapatnam
New Delhi [India], June 20 (ANI): The stage is set for the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) to be celebrated with grandeur on June 21, with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the national event from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The theme for this year is 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health' echoes India's vision of global wellness. The theme reflects the integrated vision of well-being. It emphasises the interconnectedness of human and planetary health, drawing from the Indian ethos of 'Sarve Santu Niramaya' (May all be free from disease). The Prime Minister will perform the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) with over 3 lakh participants at the Visakhapatnam venue, synchronised with over 10 lakh locations across the country under the 'Yoga Sangam' initiative, Ministry of AYUSH said. The mass demonstration will be held from 6:30 AM to 7:45 AM, and is expected to witness unprecedented participation from all corners of the country. He will be joined by Union Minister of State (IC) Ayush and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, in a massive demonstration of India's global wellness vision. In an unprecedented mobilisation, more than 2 crore people are expected to participate in Yoga sessions at over 1 lakh locations across the state. The Government of Andhra Pradesh is also coordinating a Guinness World Record attempt to mark the occasion. Additionally, over 50 lakh yoga certificates will be awarded to registered participants by the Andhra Pradesh government, making this decadal edition of IDY a truly historic moment in India's health and wellness journey. As part of the celebrations in Visakhapatnam, a remarkable Surya Namaskar programme was organised at Andhra University today, where around 25,000 tribal children performed 108 Surya Namaskars in 108 minutes. This unique initiative highlighted the enthusiastic participation of tribal communities and reflected the deepening reach of yoga at the grassroots level. Delhi, too, is all set to actively participate in the national celebration. On June 21st, yoga events will be held at 109 locations across the capital, including a grand program at the historic Red Fort. Organised by Brahma Kumaris in collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush, and supported by the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga and the Archaeological Survey of India, the Red Fort event will highlight the theme 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health.' To ensure the inclusive reach of yoga's benefits, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has addressed a letter to all Gram Pradhans, noting, 'It is a matter of pride that yoga has positively transformed lives not only in India but across the world.' As in previous editions of IDY, the Prime Minister's message has infused Gram Panchayats with renewed enthusiasm, resulting in a significant rise in yoga-related activities at the grassroots level, particularly in Panchayats, Anganwadis, and Community Health Centers. The Introduction of 10 Signature events to garner public participation for IDY 2025 has resulted in unprecedented response from across the country and abroad. Against the target of 1 lakh registrations for the 21st June event in the country, more than 11 lakh organizations and groups have registered for the Yoga Sangam event at their respective places through the Yoga portal of the Ministry of Ayush. Rajasthan topped the list by registering 2.25 lakh plus registrations followed by three more states crossing the 1 lakh registration mark. To honour this milestone year, the Ministry of Ayush has conceptualised 10 Signature Events, rolled out over a span of 100 days. These events catered to different sections of society and showcase the evolving landscape of yoga in India and abroad. They include Yoga Sangam, which is mass yoga demonstrations across over 1,00,000 locations alongside the national event--Yoga Bandhan, which includes international collaborations and exchange of yoga delegations, Harit Yoga---the Integration of yoga with environmental actions like tree plantations and cleanliness drives, Yoga Park---which is upgrading of public parks into dedicated yoga spaces. It also includes Yoga Samavesh---which is inclusive yoga outreach with customised protocols for marginalised groups, Yoga Prabhava---which is a comprehensive 10-year impact report on IDY and its societal outcomes, Yoga Connect--- which is a global online yoga summit held on June 14, featuring global experts and policymakers. It also includes Yoga Unplugged---which is youth-centric campaigns combining tech, trends, and traditional yoga, Yoga Maha Kumbh--- a series of large-scale events celebrating yoga's cultural and spiritual dimensions and Samyoga---that showcases integration of yoga evidence with modern healthcare practices. The decadal celebration is being coordinated through a Whole-of-Government approach, involving ministries, departments, state governments, urban local bodies, and Indian Missions abroad. Preparatory activities have been ongoing for weeks, with special drives, yoga camps, and competitions organized by various government bodies. Globally, Indian Embassies and cultural centres are actively conducting yoga demonstrations and awareness campaigns, further strengthening India's cultural diplomacy and leadership in wellness. With its strong foundation over the past ten years and enthusiastic participation from across sectors, IDY 2025 is poised to be a landmark moment in India's wellness journey. The message is clear--Yoga is not only a gift of India to the world, but also a pathway for a healthier, harmonious, and more sustainable future for all. (ANI)
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
Delhi Govt to host Yoga events at 11 locations with about 20,000 participants
New Delhi [India], June 20 (ANI): Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced that the Delhi government will officially celebrate International Yoga Day at 11 locations across the city, marking a significant scale-up in efforts to promote yoga. Approximately 20,000 people are expected to participate in these government-organised events. She criticised the previous government for allegedly politicising yoga and failing to organise official programs. A special yoga song for Delhi, composed by Amit Trivedi, has been introduced for the occasion. 'The Delhi government has decided that Yoga Day will be officially celebrated at 11 places. For the first time, the government is organising big events for Yoga Day on a large scale in Delhi, in which about 20,000 participants will participate in all these government programs. I have received more than 300 invites for Yoga Day, in which the people of Delhi want me to come. The previous government used to see Modi Ji's face in Yoga. So, they had problems adopting yoga, and they never officially organised yoga programs. This time, a very beautiful Yoga song for Delhi has been sung by Amit Trivedi,' she said. Delhi Chief Minister asserted that she will practice Yoga on the banks of the Yamuna on the International Day of Yoga. Speaking to the media ahead of International Yoga Day, she said, 'Tomorrow I will practice Yoga on the banks of Yamuna... Tomorrow will be celebrated like a festival in many places in Delhi... The Delhi government will celebrate this International Yoga Day with great enthusiasm.' Earlier in the day, she said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi made Yoga Day recognised on the world stage so that every country in the world is adopting Yoga with great affection today. Addressing an event at a Yoga, Meditation, and Medical Camp in Delhi's Shalimar Bagh ahead of International Yoga Day tomorrow, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said, 'PM Modi got Yoga recognised on the world stage in such a way that every country in the world is adopting Yoga with great affection today... India will be able to prosper only if it remains healthy.' As India is gearing up to celebrate the 11th International Day of Yoga on June 21, the government is organising a multitude of events nationwide to mark the occasion with 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health' as this year's theme. (ANI)
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Unity, Wellness, World Records: Andhra Lays Out Welcome Mat For PM Modi-Led Mega Yoga Day Event
Last Updated: With PM Narendra Modi and Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu leading from the front, Visakhapatnam is ready to mark the 11th International Day of Yoga on an unprecedented scale As the first light breaks on June 21, Visakhapatnam's stunning shoreline will transform into a massive open-air yoga stage, stretching over 29 kilometres from Dolphin's Nose to Bhogapuram. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu leading from the front, the city is preparing to mark the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) on an unprecedented scale. The buzz is unmistakable. Hoardings and banners across Visakhapatnam invite citizens to join 'Yogandhra", Andhra Pradesh's own branding of the Yoga Day celebration. This year's theme, 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health", focuses on the connection between personal wellness and holistic planetary health. The coastal route from RK Beach to Bhogapuram is expected to draw an estimated 5.5 lakh participants. From children to senior citizens, from first-timers to dedicated practitioners, all will perform synchronised yoga postures in a coordinated show of unity and wellness. The event is rooted in the ancient Indian ethos—'Sarve Santu Niramaya"—a timeless call for health and freedom from disease for all. According to details accessed by News18, Prime Minister Modi is expected to address the gathering from a dais set up near the Kalimata temple, initially facing north. Once his address concludes, he will turn south to begin the yoga session. Joining him will be CM Naidu, deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, union AYUSH minister Prataprao Jadhav, and other dignitaries in what is shaping up to be a historic moment for Andhra Pradesh. PM Modi has, since 2015, led International Day of Yoga celebrations from symbolic locations—New Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Mysuru, Srinagar, and even the UN Headquarters in New York. This year, it's Visakhapatnam that takes centre stage. At the heart of the celebration is the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP), a 45-minute guided yoga session crafted by the AYUSH ministry to bring structure and consistency to public yoga events. The session will begin promptly at 6.30 am and run until 7.25 am, covering the full 29-kilometre stretch. It starts with a minute-long prayer, followed by six minutes of preparatory loosening exercises. The central 25-minute yogasana segment will feature key postures like Tadasana, Bhadrasana, Vajrasana, Bhujangasana, and will conclude with Savasana for relaxation. The final 12 minutes are reserved for kriyas, pranayama, meditation, and a shared sankalp or vow—for collective peace and health. In one of the most striking lead-up events, 25,000 tribal students from the Alluri Sitarama Raju District gathered at the Andhra University Engineering Grounds to perform the Surya Namaskar in perfect sync—an attempt aimed at breaking a world record. Speaking to News18, 10-year-old Kondamma, one of the participants and a tribal student, shared her excitement: 'I am thrilled to be part of this yoga record-breaking event. I have been practising since August last year. I'm really happy." Another student, Bhagyashree, said, 'I've been waiting for this day. Our school trained us well. I'm excited the Prime Minister is here and we're part of this once-in-a-lifetime event." The scale of the celebration is unmatched. Organisers aim to set 22 world records in a single day—from the largest number of tribal children performing Surya Namaskar, to the longest contiguous stretch of yoga participants, and a statewide synchronised yoga demonstration involving all 5.5 crore residents of Andhra Pradesh. Orchestrating such a massive event involves a formidable logistical effort. The ministry of AYUSH, Visakhapatnam district administration, department of sports, and Andhra University's yoga department are working closely to coordinate operations. Public safety and emergency readiness are top priorities. State authorities confirmed that medical aid stations have been placed every kilometre, supported by 200 ambulances, over 2,000 CCTV cameras, and more than 1,000 police personnel to manage the crowd and ensure smooth execution. As the sun rises over the Bay of Bengal on June 21, Visakhapatnam will not only aim for record books but will also send a powerful message to the world—of collective well-being, unity, and the healing strength of yoga. First Published:
