Yoga for One Earth, One Health exercise benefits 300 Tanzanians

ARUSHA: OVER 300 participants from Arusha and its suburbs have taken part in the special Yoga Exercises and Meditation to cultivate healthy living and promote personal wellbeing.

Organized by the High Commissioner of India in Tanzania, the event was staged at the ‘Fun Retreat’ hall to mark the 11th International Yoga Day observed annually throughout the globe.

The event was organised by the High Commission of India in association with Kalakendra – Indian Cultural Association to celebrate the International Day of Yoga, held at Fun Retreat Resort in Arusha.

 This year marks the 11th International Day of Yoga with the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.”

This theme highlights the link between personal well-being and planetary health, aligning with global sustainability goals.

The Arusha community celebrated this event by practicing yoga, fostering community spirit, and spreading the message that caring for ourselves goes hand‑in‑hand with caring for our planet.

Speaking during the event, Ajay Singh who is the Head Consular Wing from High Commission of India said that Yoga originated in India as an ancient physical, mental, and spiritual practice and adding that The word ‘yoga’ derives from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness.

“Yoga, a transformative practice, represents the harmony of mind and body, the balance between thought and action, and the unity of restraint and fulfillment. It integrates the body, mind, spirit, and soul, offering a holistic approach to health and well-being that brings peace to our hectic lives. Its power to transform is what we celebrate on this special day,” explains the Singh.

He said the Yoga exercises have been practiced in various forms worldwide and continue to grow in popularity as the aim is to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practicing yoga.

ALSO READ:  Yakubu: Engage in physical exercise, yoga

“Yoga is more than physical activity and cultivates ways of maintaining a balanced attitude in day-to-day life and endows skill in the performance of one’s actions.”

The International Day of Yoga is a day in recognition of Yoga, which is celebrated across the world annually on 21 June, following its adoption by the United Nations in 2014

Whether you are young or old, anyone can practice yoga and live a healthy life by practicing it daily.

The Guest of Honor during the event was  Sotery Flavian Sotery, who is the Superintendent of Police in Arusha. Representing the Arusha Regional Police Commander admitted that Yoga has been beneficial to the Hindi Communities of Arusha and advised the other residents to emulate the practice.

“In today’s Yoga day, I attended the practice with this message ‘Yoga for Harmony and Peace as we move to the General elections this year, we need to strengthen the security and peace of our country,” said Sotery.

One of the Yoga participants, Stumai Nyanguru from The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) said It is important to teach students at a younger age the benefits of yoga and stay healthy.

 ” We intend to conduct several Yoga events to encourage more Tanzanians to undertake the ancient exercise and also benefit from it,” she said.