JAKARTA, 21 June 2024 – Today, at the initiative of the Indian Mission to ASEAN, the ASEAN Secretariat celebrated the International Day of Yoga (IDY) with a yoga session participated by its staff and other stakeholders. Last year, the IDY celebration was also observed at the ASEAN Headquarters.
On behalf of the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs Nararya Soeprapto kicked off the occasion with his welcome remarks, highlighting yoga’s importance as a holistic approach to health and well-being.
Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. The word ‘yoga’ derives from Sanskrit language and means to join or to unite, symbolising the union of body and consciousness. Recognising that yoga provides a holistic approach to health and well-being, it is practiced in various forms around the world beyond India, especially in the ASEAN Member States, and continues to grow in popularity.
Considering its universal appeal and potential benefits for the health of the world population, on 11 December 2014, the United Nations proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of Yoga. Since 2015, this day has been observed to create awareness about the benefits of yoga by highlighting its importance and contributions to public health.
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