Visakhapatnam, June 21, 2025 — On the serene shores of Andhra Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation’s 11th International Day of Yoga Day 2025 celebrations, heralding a new era of global harmony through the theme “Yoga for Humanity 2.0.” The event, set against the picturesque backdrop of Visakhapatnam Beach, witnessed over 300,000 participants practicing yoga in unison, reaffirming India’s leadership in promoting holistic wellness worldwide.
This year’s global theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” aligns with India’s ongoing vision of integrating traditional wellness with planetary health, setting a tone for mindful living in an age of global crises.
Yoga unites the world!
Glad to see immense enthusiasm all across the planet for International Day of Yoga.
I took part in a Yoga Day programme in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. People from all walks of life also joined. Here are some glimpses… pic.twitter.com/OcZq0QFrRj
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 21, 2025
Source: Narendra Modi
PM Modi Showcases Yoga as India’s Soft Power
During his address, PM Modi emphasized how yoga is no longer a cultural practice alone but a tool for diplomacy, peace, and unity. He urged the global community to move beyond the mat and embrace the values of yoga in their daily decision-making and international policy frameworks.
“Yoga teaches us to be in harmony with ourselves, others, and nature. Let this be the beginning of Yoga for Humanity 2.0, where inner peace shapes global policy,” said Modi during the early morning session.
His remarks were widely broadcast and have been well-received by international leaders, public health experts, and yoga practitioners across the globe.
Read Also: Yoga Day 2025: Thousands Join Celebrations Across China to Embrace Wellness and Harmony
Source: The Indian Express
Mega Participation Across India and Beyond
The mega event in Visakhapatnam was part of the central government’s Yoga Sangam initiative, connecting over 1 lakh locations and involving more than 2 crore citizens across India. This mass movement included people from diverse age groups and regions—from schoolchildren and professionals to monks and military personnel.
Highlights of Participation:
- Siachen soldiers braved freezing temperatures to perform asanas at the world’s highest battlefield.
- The Indian Navy conducted yoga drills on aircraft carriers and submarines.
- Indian missions abroad organized yoga sessions in Malaysia, Indonesia, France, the US, and Latin America, echoing the “One World, One Health” philosophy.
Yoga Day 2025 Theme: “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”
This year’s theme builds on India’s Ayushman Bharat and LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) missions, promoting yoga not just for individual well-being, but also for sustainable lifestyles and climate consciousness.
By emphasizing integrated health, the initiative targets:
Mental health resilience
Cardiac and neurological wellness
Reproductive health support
Environmental mindfulness
According to the Ministry of AYUSH, the government has been investing in evidence-based research to scientifically validate yoga’s efficacy. Collaborations with institutes like AIIMS and ICMR have resulted in new findings, especially in treating anxiety, PTSD, and hypertension through regular yogic practice.
PM Modi’s Yoga Diplomacy: A Decade of Global Impact
The International Day of Yoga was first proposed by PM Modi during his 2014 address to the United Nations General Assembly, which swiftly led to a UN resolution supported by 177 nations. Since then, the initiative has grown into a cultural phenomenon, celebrated in over 190 countries.
Through the power of yoga, India has established a unique form of soft power diplomacy. Notably, institutions such as the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and foreign embassies have helped mainstream yoga education in schools, universities, and wellness centers worldwide.
The decade-long journey from “Yoga for Harmony and Peace” to “Yoga for Humanity 2.0” shows how India has transformed an ancient tradition into a tool for modern wellness and foreign policy.
Government Initiatives Promoting Yoga in 2025
The government has launched multiple flagship initiatives this year to deepen the reach and impact of yoga:
1. Yoga Certification Board Expansion
The Ministry of AYUSH has increased the number of recognized certified yoga instructors, ensuring authenticity and standardization.
2. Integration in School Curricula
Yoga is now a formal subject in over 20,000 CBSE-affiliated schools, with efforts underway to make it compulsory in all government-run institutions.
3. Digital Yoga Campaigns
The government launched the “Yoga with Family” challenge on social media, encouraging families to share group practice sessions under hashtags like #YogaForAll and #MyYogaMyHealth.
4. Collaborations with Tech
Startups and companies in the health tech sector are integrating AI-based posture correction, virtual yoga studios, and telemedicine with traditional yoga to increase accessibility.
Global Leaders Join the Movement
This year’s Yoga Day witnessed a notable increase in international endorsements:
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres released a video message recognizing yoga’s role in promoting inner balance and mental resilience.
- In the United States, mayors in New York, San Francisco, and Houston declared June 21 as “Yoga Wellness Day.”
- The European Parliament hosted a yoga workshop attended by MEPs and diplomats, hailing the practice as a “diplomatic bridge” between cultures.
Expert Views: Why Yoga Matters More Than Ever
Dr. Rakesh Sinha, Public Health Expert:
Post-COVID, the focus on mental wellness and lifestyle diseases has grown. Yoga offers a preventive, low-cost, and inclusive method to improve global health metrics.”
Anita Rani, Yoga Educator:
Today’s theme—‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’—beautifully marries ancient wisdom with modern science. It’s no longer just about flexibility, it’s about sustainability and emotional balance.”
Looking Ahead: Yoga as a Global Policy Tool
With the momentum from International Yoga Day 2025, India is now advocating for yoga’s inclusion in global health and education policy. The Ministry of AYUSH has submitted a proposal to the World Health Organization (WHO) to list yoga as a recommended preventive lifestyle practice for both NCDs (Non-Communicable Diseases) and mental health disorders.
If accepted, it would further institutionalize yoga across healthcare systems, insurance models, and education boards internationally.
Conclusion
As the sun rose over Visakhapatnam and millions across the globe mirrored PM Modi’s asanas, it became clear that yoga has moved beyond spirituality—it has become a unifying language of peace, health, and climate consciousness.
From the sandy beaches of Andhra to the icefields of Siachen and the skyscrapers of New York, International Yoga Day 2025 affirmed that yoga is not just about touching your toes—it’s about touching lives.