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IOL News
3 days ago
- Health
- IOL News
International Day of Yoga: celebrating unity and wellness in Durban
International Day of Yoga will be observed on Saturday. Image: Supplied The 11th annual International Day of Yoga, set to take place at the Durban Amphitheatre on Saturday, has received a wave of goodwill messages from across South Africa's political, diplomatic, and civic leadership. Prince Ishwar Ramlutchman Mabheka Zulu, the President of the Sivananda World Peace Foundation and chief organiser of the event, said: "High-profile endorsements include those from His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini; KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli; the Speaker of the KZN Legislature; national and provincial health leaders; and South Africa High Commissioner to India, Bangladesh and Nepal, Professor Anil Sooklal." He added that His Majesty King Makhosonke Mabhena and Her Royal Highness Queen Sekuthali Mabhena from the Amandebele Kingdom had confirmed their attendance yesterday. Ramlutchman Mabheka Zulu said the event was expected to draw more than 5 000 yoga practitioners under the theme 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health, and Oneness'. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading "The annual observance will showcase how yoga has grown from a once-niche pursuit into a mainstream lifestyle, embraced across race, culture, and generation in post-apartheid South Africa. "Clad in white, yellow, and green shirts to symbolise peace, energy, and the environment, participants from schools, universities, temples, mosques, churches, community and private studios will create a collective canvas of wellness and mindfulness on Saturday. "It is going to be a scenario of children, youth and elders practising side-by-side. Healthcare workers, local yoga instructors, diplomats, and township-based wellness advocates will all move to the same breath, symbolising unity amid diversity - an echo of South Africa's constitutional promise and rainbowism." He said this year's event promised to be more than an exercise in yoga. "It will be a strategic convergence of identity, diplomacy, and development. Yoga is not Indian, Zulu, Christian or Hindu - it is universal. It is a spiritual and health gift to all humanity. International Day of Yoga is becoming a living statement of intent, that wellness is not a privilege but a right, that health is a collective effort, and that cultural diversity can be a source of harmony rather than division." The event, which is free, will be held from 9am until noon. THE POST
The Citizen
14-06-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Durban is getting into position to host International Day of Yoga
Durban is getting into position to host International Day of Yoga THE city of Durban is getting into final position to host its biggest International Day of Yoga (IDY) celebration on Saturday, June 21, at the Amphitheatre in North Beach. The annual event, hosted by the Sivananda World Peace Foundation, draws scores of novices and yogis from across eThekwini who find balance and peace in the practise of yoga. Prince Ishwar Ramlutchman Mabheka Zulu, a philanthropist and head of the organisation, said this year's 11th celebration of Yoga Day will be their most vibrant one yet. He said, 'It's all systems go for a colourfully grand celebration of yoga on Saturday, June 21. This event will declare Durban as South Africa's official venue for the annual yoga milestones as the legacy project continues.' The organisers are expecting a crowd of over 3000 participants at this year's Yoga Day celebrations, surpassing last year's 2500 attendees. Community-based organisations and outreach initiatives have also been mobilised to ensure inclusive participation. Also Read: The rise of yoga and meditation in urban spaces 'We are reaching out to all communities to embrace yoga as a universal quest for balance and wellness. It reminds us of our interconnectedness, even in moments of personal mindfulness. The serenity of yoga blends seamlessly with our diverse cultures, symbolising unity and wellness,' said Ramlutchman. The International Day of Yoga was established by the United Nations in 2014 to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practising yoga. Yoga, an ancient physical, mental, and spiritual practice that originated in India, symbolises the union of body and consciousness. The annual observance on June 21 emphasises yoga's role in promoting holistic health and well-being, according to the UN's World Health Organization. Over the past decade, Yoga Day in Durban has received strong backing from provincial and local governments, and the national Department of Health. The eThekwini Municipality has helped to establish this event as a major cultural and wellness initiative. The upcoming event is expected to feature yoga demonstrations by experts, musical and dance performances, and talks highlighting the benefits of yoga for individual and societal well-being. For more information on the initiative or International Day of Yoga launch, email: sivanandaworldpeace@ or WhatsApp 083 357 8747. For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Star
12-06-2025
- Health
- The Star
Yoga for unity: Durban gears up for the 11th International Yoga Day
Post Reporter | Published 8 hours ago Next Saturday, the amphitheatre along Durban's beachfront will play host to the 11th International Yoga Day, a much-anticipated event that aims to bridge cultural divides through the practice of yoga. More than 3 000 practitioners are expected to come together under the auspices of the Sivananda World Peace Foundation, highlighting the global and inclusive nature of this ancient discipline. This year's theme, 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health, and Oneness,' encapsulates a vision of collective wellness that transcends racial, cultural, and generational boundaries. 'It is going to be a scenario of children, youth, and elders practising side by side,' said Prince Ishwar Ramlutchman Mabheka Zulu, president of the Sivananda World Peace Foundation. 'Healthcare workers, local yoga instructors, diplomats, and township-based wellness advocates will all move to the same breath, symbolising unity amid diversity — an echo of South Africa's constitutional promise and rainbowism.' The event promises to be a significant gathering, attended by a host of dignitaries, including KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli, Health Minister Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, local councillors, Hindu religious leaders, and Zulu cultural ambassadors. 'This year's event promises to be more than an exercise in yoga," Mabheka Zulu added. "It will be a strategic convergence of identity, diplomacy, and development. Yoga is not Indian, Zulu, Christian, or Hindu. It is universal. It is a spiritual and health gift to all humanity.' Participants can look forward to a morning of peace and unity, as the event will run from 8am to noon. For further details about International Yoga Day, interested readers can visit THE POST
IOL News
12-06-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Yoga for unity: Durban gears up for the 11th International Yoga Day
A previous event at the amphitheatre along Durban's beachfront. Image: Supplied Next Saturday, the amphitheatre along Durban's beachfront will play host to the 11th International Yoga Day, a much-anticipated event that aims to bridge cultural divides through the practice of yoga. More than 3 000 practitioners are expected to come together under the auspices of the Sivananda World Peace Foundation, highlighting the global and inclusive nature of this ancient discipline. This year's theme, 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health, and Oneness,' encapsulates a vision of collective wellness that transcends racial, cultural, and generational boundaries. 'It is going to be a scenario of children, youth, and elders practising side by side,' said Prince Ishwar Ramlutchman Mabheka Zulu, president of the Sivananda World Peace Foundation. 'Healthcare workers, local yoga instructors, diplomats, and township-based wellness advocates will all move to the same breath, symbolising unity amid diversity — an echo of South Africa's constitutional promise and rainbowism.' The event promises to be a significant gathering, attended by a host of dignitaries, including KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli, Health Minister Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, local councillors, Hindu religious leaders, and Zulu cultural ambassadors. 'This year's event promises to be more than an exercise in yoga," Mabheka Zulu added. "It will be a strategic convergence of identity, diplomacy, and development. Yoga is not Indian, Zulu, Christian, or Hindu. It is universal. It is a spiritual and health gift to all humanity.' Participants can look forward to a morning of peace and unity, as the event will run from 8am to noon. For further details about International Yoga Day, interested readers can visit THE POST
IOL News
11-06-2025
- Health
- IOL News
International Day of Yoga: Durban's commitment to wellness and cultural harmony
Durban's Amphitheatre will host thousands of yoga lovers on June 21 for the International Day of Yoga, an event focused on unity and wellness. Image: Supplied More than 3,000 yoga practitioners are expected to descend on Durban's Amphitheatre on the International Day of Yoga (IDY) on June 21. The event will be held under the theme 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health, and Oneness'. Sivananda World Peace Foundation President Ishwar Ramlutchman said, clad in white, yellow, and green shirts to symbolise peace, energy, and the environment, participants from schools, universities, temples, mosques, churches, community, and private studios will create a collective canvas of wellness and mindfulness. Participants will move to the same breath, symbolising unity amid diversity—an echo of South Africa's constitutional promise and rainbowism. Ramlutchman said KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli, Health Portfolio Committee chairperson Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, local councillors, Hindu religious leaders, and Zulu cultural ambassadors will be among the participants. 'Beyond the physical postures and serene breathing, the day will reflect a deeper provincial strategy: embedding wellness in public health,' Ramlutchman said. He said this year's event promises to be more than a yoga exercise. Durban, with its unique blend of Zulu heritage and Indian diaspora history, has since become the permanent national host for IDY. Ramlutchman, a bridge-builder between Hindu and Zulu communities, said: 'Yoga is not Indian, Zulu, Christian or Hindu—it is universal. It is a spiritual and healthy gift to all humanity.' He said that at the precursor events at the Congo Ground on June 1 and Giant's Castle on June 5, the universality of yoga was reflected in the programme. The Durban beachfront is set to become a vibrant centre of wellness and unity as the city prepares to host the 11th International Day of Yoga on Saturday, 21 June 2025. Image: Supplied Ramlutchman said IDY also has implications for tourism and branding. 'With the Durban Amphitheatre now globally recognised as a symbolic yoga venue, the event strengthens the multicultural city's image as a destination not just for surfing and sun, but also for mindfulness and eco-conscious tourism,' Ramlutchman said. 'Hospitality sector leaders say there is growing interest in yoga wellness retreats along the North Coast and the Drakensberg, inspired in part by the annual Yoga Day momentum. Events like IDY offer spin-off economic benefits through hospitality, food vendors, local artisans, and fitness entrepreneurs. 'The Durban IDY is also a unique soft-power tool, forging India–South Africa ties through cultural exchange and public diplomacy.' Ramlutchman said that despite growing visibility, yoga in South Africa still battles perceptions of exclusivity, seen by some as urban, elite, or culturally foreign. 'Durban's organisers are consciously decolonising the space, translating instructions into isiZulu, supporting Black instructors, and tailoring content for working-class and rural populations,' Ramlutchman said. 'There's also the risk of commodification. As yoga becomes trendy, its deeper roots—spiritual, ethical, and philosophical—must not be lost to commercialism or superficial branding.'
