Yoga Offers Path To Healthy, Youthful Ageing, Indian Envoy Says
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
As concerns over lifestyle-related illnesses and the challenges of ageing continue to grow, the Government of India has called on Nigerians to embrace yoga as a simple yet powerful practice capable of improving health, enhancing mental wellbeing and promoting healthy ageing.
The call was made by the High Commissioner of India to Nigeria, Amb. Abhishek Singh, during the celebration of the International Day of Yoga held at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
The event attracted thousands of participants, including government officials, diplomats, health enthusiasts, students and members of the Indian community, who gathered to mark the annual global celebration through a series of yoga demonstrations and wellness activities.
Speaking on the significance of yoga, the Indian envoy described the ancient practice as a holistic approach to health that benefits both the body and mind.
He noted that regular yoga practice can help prevent premature ageing by improving flexibility, strengthening muscles, reducing stress and enhancing overall wellbeing.
According to him, yoga is not merely a form of exercise but a lifestyle that promotes balance, discipline and inner peace, qualities that are increasingly important in today’s fast-paced world.
“Yoga helps people remain active, healthy and mentally alert as they grow older. It is a natural way to improve quality of life and prevent many health challenges associated with ageing,” he said.
The High Commissioner encouraged Nigerians to incorporate yoga into their daily routines, stressing that the practice requires little equipment and can be performed by people of all ages regardless of their fitness levels.
This year’s celebration, themed “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” highlighted the growing global recognition of the connection between personal wellbeing and a healthier planet.
The theme underscores the role of healthy lifestyles in fostering stronger communities and sustainable development.
Participants at the Abuja event took part in guided yoga sessions led by trained instructors, demonstrating breathing techniques, meditation and physical postures aimed at improving physical and mental health.
Many attendees described the experience as refreshing and enlightening, noting that yoga offers an accessible pathway to healthier living at a time when non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and obesity are on the rise.
Health experts at the event also emphasised that regular physical activity, stress management and mindfulness practices such as yoga can significantly contribute to disease prevention and improved quality of life.
Since the United Nations adopted the International Day of Yoga in 2014, the practice has gained increasing popularity across the world, with millions embracing it as a means of achieving physical fitness, mental clarity and emotional wellbeing.
As participants rolled up their mats at the close of the programme, the message from the Indian mission was clear: healthy ageing is achievable, and yoga remains one of the simplest and most effective tools for attaining it.
For thousands gathered in Abuja, yoga represented more than exercise, it offered a pathway to a healthier, calmer and more balanced future.
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