By Paul Eduarko Richardson/ Nii Martey M. Botchway
Accra, June 23, GNA- Ghana and India have marked the 12th International Day of Yoga with a call on the public to embrace the practice to promote healthy ageing and overall well-being.
The event, held at the University of Ghana on Saturday, brought together government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, the Indian diaspora, students, yoga enthusiasts and the general public.
Mr V. N. Parameswaran, Chargé d’Affaires of the Indian High Commission in Ghana, said yoga offered significant physical, mental and emotional benefits and could contribute to longevity and a balanced lifestyle.
He said the practice was accessible to everyone regardless of age, profession, culture or belief.
“Whether one is a student preparing for exams, a professional managing a busy schedule, a parent balancing responsibilities, or a senior citizen seeking to remain active and healthy, yoga has something meaningful to offer,” he said.
The celebration, on the theme: “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” marked the culmination of a month-long series of activities organised across the country.
Participants engaged in yoga exercises under the guidance of instructors, performing physical postures, breathing exercises, meditation and relaxation techniques.
Mr Parameswaran said yoga required neither expensive equipment nor special facilities, making it accessible to all.
Besides its physical benefits, he said yoga helped practitioners develop patience, focus and self-awareness.
“The pressures of modern life affect people everywhere. In this context, yoga offers a simple yet powerful tool to find calm, build resilience, and reconnect with ourselves,” he said.
Mr Parameswaran said yoga had the ability to transcend barriers, foster unity and promote harmony with oneself, society and nature.
He noted the increasing popularity of yoga in Ghana, attributing the growing participation in annual celebrations to the strong ties between Ghana and India and their shared values of “community, well-being, respect for tradition, and hope for the future.”
Mr Parameswaran said yoga should not be viewed as a competition but as “a journey that begins with a single step, a single breath, and a commitment to take better care of ourselves.”
Mr Hope Kwasi Adalete, a yoga instructor, described yoga as an effective stress-management tool, explaining that its combination of exercise and relaxation enabled the body to release stress and support recovery.
He encouraged the public to practise yoga regularly to maintain energy levels and improve overall health.
Ms Gifty Laryea, Headteacher of Osu Presbyterian 2 Boys’ Junior High School, who attended the event with a group of pupils, described the sessions as “stress-free, insightful and joyful.”
She said the exercises had helped the pupils become more disciplined, focused and better behaved.
Kevin Tay, a pupil of Osu Presbyterian 2 Boys’ Junior High School, said he felt relieved and energised after the exercises and intended to practise them regularly.
Kezia Hormekou, a pupil of Osu Presbyterian Girls’ Basic School, said: “I feel excited after doing the exercise. I will encourage my friends to also practise it.”
Yoga, which originated in ancient India, is a holistic practice that promotes physical, mental and emotional well-being.
Recognising its global appeal, the United Nations proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga in 2014 to raise awareness of the benefits associated with the practice.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporters: Paul Eduarko Richardson
[email protected]
Nii Martey M. Botchway
[email protected]