Bengaluru: The steps of Vidhana Soudha transformed into a sea of wellness early Sunday morning as Bengaluru marked the 12th International Day of Yoga. More than 2,500 participants performed the common yoga protocol in unison at the state-level event.Themed ‘Yoga for Healthy Ageing,’ this year’s celebrations highlighted the role of yoga in promoting lifelong health, resilience, and holistic well-being across generations, with a special focus on the elderly.“Modern lifestyle has brought comfort, but it has also triggered severe physical and mental challenges. Yoga provides us with a healthy body, a calm mind, and a positive outlook,” said governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, who inaugurated the programme. He said he practises yoga and pranayama daily, which keeps him energetic and healthy.Health minister UT Khader, who called for making yoga a “daily celebration” rather than a “one-day affair,“ highlighted that Karnataka is home to the world’s first Yoga University (S-VYASA) and the historic Mysore Yoga tradition pioneered by the Wodeyar dynasty.Kannada film stars such as Vasishta N Simha, Hariprriya, and Shruti Hariharan attended the event.Citizens share their yoga journeyGangamma, a teacher from Rajajinagar’s Eshwara Academy, escorted seven of her school’s Scouts and Guides to the event. “I never imagined it would be this colourful and grand. Seeing nearly 500 children from different schools perform yoga with such immaculate discipline is something I will never forget,” she said.Lakshmi, representing the ‘Heartfulness’ organisation, said: “Around 100 people from our institution were registered, and 40-50 of us made it here today. It was a great experience.”Jagadish Reddy from Electronics City, who has been practising under the Patanjali Yoga Samiti for 16 years, credited yoga for keeping him stress-free. “Yoga teaches you how to keep a cool head and handle difficult situations calmly,” he said.Session for prisonersMore than 4,000 inmates of the Central Prison in Parappana Agrahara participated in a mass yoga session, which was also attended by Alok Kumar, DGP (prisons and correctional service). UCO Bank and Prison Ministry India, an NGO, donated 1,500 and 120 yoga mats, respectively, for the event.Mandatory training at RGUHSOver 45,000 students, teachers and staff from 600 health science institutions across Karnataka, under the aegis of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS), participated in a session. RGUHS vice-chancellor Bhagavan BC said mandatory yoga training will be introduced in all aided colleges under the university.Tactile and Braille yogaTo make yoga more inclusive, Sankara Eye Hospital in collaboration with Young Indians introduced tactile and Braille materials to help persons with visual impairment understand and practice yoga postures. The initiative brought together around 100 participants from Snehadeep Trust for the Disabled, Karnataka Welfare Association for the Blind, and Vinyasa Trust. Anitta Mary, vision rehabilitation specialist, said: “The tactile posters are a powerful tool, helping participants practise independently and build confidence. It is inspiring to see how such inclusive efforts can create meaningful impact.”Campus-wide session at IIIT-BStudents, faculty members and staff of Indian Institute of Information Technology-Bangalore participated in a campus-wide yoga session promoting physical fitness, mental wellness and holistic health.Schools celebrate yogaRashtriya Military School (RMS), Bengaluru, organised its yoga day event with the participation of teaching and non-teaching staff, students and their families. Participants performed synchronised yoga asanas, pranayama and meditation under expert guidance.Around 100 parent-child pairs participated in a special session at Greenwood High International School. The initiative aimed to encourage families to adopt yoga as part of their daily routine while strengthening parent-child relationships through shared wellness activities. “Controlled breathing also teaches children self-control, helping them avoid impulsive reactions in emotional situations,” said Niru Agarwal, managing trustee.Sari walkathonResidents of Prestige Misty Waters in Kempapura celebrated the day with a unique Sari Walkathon, bringing together women of all ages to promote wellness and community bonding. Organised by residents Pranitha and Huma, the event combined the elegance of traditional attire with the message of healthy living.
