International Day of Yoga brings spotlight on physical exercise: WHO

KOLKATA: Advocating support for the ancient Indian practice ahead of the International Day of Yoga, the World Health Organisation ( WHO) today said it brings attention to the need for physical exercise.

"The day will rightly put the spotlight on physical exercise, much needed in today's world when sedentary lifestyle is becoming a leading cause of illness," Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia, said in a statement.

She said yoga fits in very well with the healthy lifestyle that WHO has been strongly advocating for, throughout the life cycle - from childhood to healthy ageing.

"WHO has been advocating physical exercise as one of the primary preventive measure against non-communicable diseases such as heart diseases, diabetes and respiratory diseases, which are increasingly growing in numbers. Exercise is a must for physical wellbeing," she said.

Describing yoga as a traditional therapeutic system, she said, yoga is believed to offer means for actualisation of human potential to perfection through its three-dimensional approach to health - physical, mental and spiritual.

"Yoga is very much relevant even today - as it is both a physical activity and an effective way of managing stress. We are fortunate that such traditional medical practices have survived over the centuries."

Traditional medicines have played an important role, and continue to contribute to improving and maintaining the well-being of millions of people around the world, she said.

"WHO respects traditional health care practices and has been advocating for integration of best practices and good quality traditional medicines into national health systems, as appropriate," Dr Singh said.