CHENNAI : The Yoga Institute (TYI) in Santacruz, Mumbai, celebrated the 12th International Day of Yoga (IDY) with remarkable scale and enthusiasm, marking over 107 years as the world’s oldest organized yoga centre and a pioneer in holistic health education. Aligned with this year’s global theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” the Institute successfully engaged lakhs of participants through hundreds of specially curated programmes spanning government institutions, defence establishments, corporate offices, educational campuses, airports, and digital platforms across the globe. From major urban centres like Mumbai and Chennai to Jaipur and Bhubaneswar, the expansive celebrations promoted healthy ageing across all generations and professions, strongly reinforcing yoga’s pivotal role in preventive healthcare, mental resilience, and conscious living.
Reflecting on the deeper significance of the milestone, Dr. Hansaji Yogendra, Director of The Yoga Institute, shared an inspiring message on the occasion, noting that while ageing is a natural process, decline is entirely preventable. She emphasized that through the regular practice of yoga, individuals can successfully maintain physical strength, mental clarity, emotional balance, and a joyful heart. Dr. Hansaji further highlighted that healthy ageing is not merely about adding years to life, but rather about adding vital energy, independence, and a deep sense of purpose to every single year. Having already touched over 10 crore lives and trained more than 100,000 certified teachers worldwide, the Institute continues to advance authentic yoga education to empower global citizens toward meaningful living.
A major cornerstone of this year’s celebrations was a dynamic three-day Online Yoga Festival held from June 19 to 21, which attracted massive global participation. The virtual festival featured highly enriching sessions led by prominent figures, including ISKCON monk Gauranga Das Ji, celebrated nutritionist Ryan Fernando, holistic health expert Mickey Mehta, alongside senior faculty from the Institute. Together, they guided participants through practical, everyday approaches to graceful and healthy ageing, focusing on essential wellness pillars such as deep meditation, targeted nutrition, active stress management, and therapeutic sound healing.
On the ground, massive community sessions brought thousands together across iconic locations in Mumbai. A grand flagship session took place at the Bandra Reclamation under the personal guidance of Dr. Hansaji Yogendra, which saw high-profile attendance from Shri Ashish Shelar, Cabinet Minister, Government of Maharashtra, and popular wellness advocate Terence Lewis. Simultaneously, the popular ‘Yoga by the Bay’ sunrise session at Marine Drive—organized in close association with The Times of India, Shaina NC, and Mickey Mehta—drew thousands of early-morning practitioners. This scenic coastal gathering was attended by several central dignitaries, including Smt. Anupriya Patel, Shri Jitin Prasada, and Shri Jayant Chaudhary, reflecting a robust national and institutional commitment to public health.
The Yoga Institute also significantly expanded its institutional and corporate outreach to ensure the wellness message reached diverse working professionals and students alike. Special wellness modules were conducted for the public and defence sectors, including interactive sessions at the Maharashtra Mantralaya, CCRYN, Mumbai International Airport (T1 and T2), the CISF, the Indian Army, and the Indian Air Force to enhance physical stamina and mental clarity. Educational initiatives blanketed various BMC schools and prominent colleges such as Mithibai, NMIMS, Chetana, and Thakur College, introducing youth to self-development through yoga. In the corporate arena, major wellness drives were successfully executed for ONGC, SBI, Bank of Baroda, Mazagon Dock, and Tata Care, complemented by a nationwide multi-city partnership with Macleods Pharmaceuticals.
Grassroots community engagement remained a core focus of the mega-drive, with unique yoga camps held across busy public hubs. Sessions were seamlessly rolled out at key post offices, including the Mumbai General Post Office (GPO), Mahim, Mumbai Central, and Vile Parle. Furthermore, widespread neighborhood programmes were organized in collaboration with the Chandok Group across Borivali, Andheri, and Chembur, successfully democratizing yoga for everyday citizens. This expansive outreach reaffirms why The Yoga Institute remains at the forefront of global wellness—a golden legacy officially recognized by the Government of India through the prestigious Prime Minister’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Yoga, presented by the Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi.
