Yoga offers path to sustainability: WHO regional director Saima Wazed

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.

"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.

"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.

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.

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