Over two thousand yoga enthusiasts gathered in Tokyo on Saturday to celebrate the 11th International Day of Yoga at the historic Tsukiji Hongwanji Buddhist Temple.
Yoshiko Ishiba, wife of Japan’s PM, opened the event, highlighting wellness and cross-cultural unity.
Indian Ambassador to Japan Sibi George addressed the large crowd, emphasising yoga’s unifying power.
Dignitaries, including Satoko Iwaya, Tsukiji Hongwanji reverends, diplomats, and senior officials, also joined the celebration.
A day earlier, the International Day of Yoga was also celebrated at the Osaka Expo 2025.
Ambassador Sibi George and Vice Governor of Osaka Prefecture Shigeki Watanabe jointly inaugurated the event and participated in a mass yoga session, joined by thousands of participants.
This year’s theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” underscores the intrinsic link between personal wellness and planetary well-being.
The message reflects India’s holistic vision of health, rooted in ancient tradition and global responsibility.
UK celebrates Yoga Day with enthusiastic public participation
In the UK, the Indian diaspora and locals gathered across cities to celebrate the 11th International Yoga Day.
From London landmarks to Oxford and Cambridge, people of all ages came together to practice yoga in harmony.
The Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, noted the scale and inclusiveness of this year’s celebrations.
“Under India’s special theme for this year, our cultural centre aimed to bring yoga to as many places as possible,” he said. “We collaborated with partners in cities like Oxford, Cambridge, and Southampton to host events.”
In central London, a large public yoga session brought together a diverse crowd against a backdrop of historic architecture.
Participants called the experience uplifting and inclusive.
One London resident said, “It’s truly a privilege to be part of this celebration. Practising yoga in such a setting is magical, and it reminds us of the power of coming together for inner peace.”
The Indian High Commission partnered with local studios, communities, and schools to take Yoga Day beyond major cities.
Global significance of International Day of Yoga
Now in its 11th year, the International Day of Yoga has become a powerful symbol of India’s cultural diplomacy and global soft power.
Celebrated across continents, the day continues to promote mindfulness, discipline, and sustainable living.
PM Narendra Modi, in a message to the international community on Saturday, highlighted yoga’s role in a troubled world.
“Yoga gives the world the direction of peace at a time when it is witnessing conflicts, unrest and instability,” he stated.
He called for “Yoga for Humanity 2.0,” making inner peace a pillar of global policy.
As nations like Japan and the UK embrace Yoga Day, yoga continues to unite the world in health and harmony.
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