India Advocates Yoga as a Remedy for Aging and Contemporary Stress
India encourages Nigerians to adopt yoga as a means to promote healthier ageing, manage stress, and enhance both physical and mental well-being.
The Indian government on Saturday highlighted yoga as an effective response to the dual issues of ageing and stress in contemporary society, encouraging Nigerians to adopt this ancient practice as a means to achieve healthier and longer lives.
During the 12th International Day of Yoga celebration at the Velodrome of the National Stadium in Abuja, India’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Abhishek Singh, remarked that yoga has become a significant means of preventing age-related ailments while enhancing physical fitness, emotional balance, and mental clarity.
The event, themed “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” drew a diverse audience including diplomats, government officials, students, members of the Indian community, and wellness enthusiasts, highlighting the increasing embrace of yoga beyond its country of origin.
Singh stated that the selection of this year’s theme mirrored worldwide worries regarding increasing health issues linked to aging populations and inactive lifestyles.
He believes that numerous health issues typically linked to aging can be prevented or postponed by engaging in regular yoga practice.
He stated, “The message we wish to convey is that individuals can stay active and youthful even in their later years if they incorporate yoga into their lives.” It is a straightforward yet impactful method for encouraging healthy ageing.
The envoy characterized yoga as a lasting gift from India to the world, noting that its advantages reach far beyond mere physical activity to include mental and emotional health.
In a time marked by constant demands and rapid lifestyles, Singh observed that yoga provides people with a chance to pause, reconnect with their inner selves, and handle stress more efficiently.
He described how a blend of breathing techniques, gentle movements, stretching, and mindfulness exercises contributes to yoga’s ability to enhance balance, flexibility, strength, and mobility, while also fostering mental resilience.
Singh further stated that the practice has developed into a universal language of wellness and peace that surpasses geographical, cultural, and linguistic boundaries.
He remembered that in 2014, the United Nations General Assembly designated June 21 as the International Day of Yoga after a proposal from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a significant step that transformed yoga into a worldwide movement for healthier living.
The High Commissioner noted that the remarkable attendance at the Abuja celebration showcased yoga’s ability to unite people and its growing importance in tackling modern health issues.
He observed that individuals from various nationalities and backgrounds united in the quest for a shared goal—improved health and human well-being.
Singh praised the National Sports Commission, officials of the Indian High Commission, and other partners for their support of the programme. He encouraged Nigerians to incorporate yoga into their daily routines, emphasizing that healthy ageing starts with mindful lifestyle choices and preventive healthcare practices.
