I am excited to celebrate this year, the International Day of Yoga at Sira’s Yoga Centre in London. The 2026 theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” highlights the significance of yoga for individuals of all ages. Yoga is highly effective for promoting healthy living.
This year marks the 12th International Day of Yoga with the theme “ Yoga for Healthy Ageing”, which emphasizes the importance of Yoga for all ages. Yoga can be a valuable practice for healthy aging because it supports many of the abilities that help people stay active, independent, and engaged as they grow older. By combining gentle movement, stretching, breathing exercises, and mindfulness, yoga can help improve balance, flexibility, strength, and mobility, while also supporting mental well-being and stress management. Because yoga can be adapted to different fitness levels and health conditions, it offers an accessible way for many older adults to maintain their physical and emotional health. These benefits support several goals of the WHO Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030), including promoting independence, reducing fall risk, enhancing quality of life, and encouraging person-centered approaches to health and well-being.
Yoga fosters healthy ageing by integrating physical postures, breathwork, and mindfulness to combat age-related decline. It improves balance, mobility, bone and muscle strength, reduces joint stiffness, lowers stress, supports cardiovascular health and cognitive function, helping individuals maintain vitality and independence. You are never too old to practise yoga, and regular practice can help older adults retain their independence and navigate the physical and mental changes that accompany ageing.
We can all incorporate yoga into our lives based on our own level of consciousness and awareness, as well as how we wish to engage with it—spiritually, physically, or mentally. Many people who want to begin practising yoga and meditation often ask me how to determine which path is right for them. It’s not about identifying a right or wrong direction; rather, it’s about exploring how deeply you want to engage with yoga, how often you would like to practice, and what resonates with you personally.
What is Yoga and why do we celebrate it?
Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. The word ‘yoga’ derives from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness.
Today it is practiced in various forms around the world and continues to grow in popularity.
Recognizing its universal appeal, on 11 December 2014, the United Nations proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of Yoga by resolution 69/131.
The International Day of Yoga aims to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practicing yoga.
The draft resolution establishing the International Day of Yoga was proposed by India and endorsed by a record 175 member states. The proposal was first introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address during the opening of the 69th session of the General Assembly, in which he said: “Yoga is an invaluable gift from our ancient tradition. Yoga embodies unity of mind and body, thought and action … a holistic approach [that] is valuable to our health and our well-being. Yoga is not just about exercise; it is a way to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature.”
The resolution notes “the importance of individuals and populations making healthier choices and following lifestyle patterns that foster good health.” In this regard, the World Health Organization has also urged its member states to help their citizens reduce physical inactivity, which is among the top ten leading causes of death worldwide, and a key risk factor for non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes.
Whatever practice you choose, it’s crucial to make yourself available for it. Consider various factors, such as your physical capacity, your life circumstances, and your motivation for starting yoga and meditation. Remember, these practices should help alleviate stress rather than add to it. Yoga and meditation should coexist harmoniously in your life.
Joint in Person
Date: 21 June 2026
Location: Sira’s Yoga Centre in London
Practice: Open to all levels
Price: Free
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