Kolkata: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to lead the 12th International Day of Yoga celebrations on Red Road on June 21 along with chief minister Suvendu Adhikari, several gyms, yoga studios and fitness centres across Kolkata are gearing up to mark the occasion with special sessions aimed at promoting health, wellness and mindful living.The city is set to witness a host of yoga programmes, community sessions and wellness initiatives on Sunday, complementing the large-scale celebrations planned at Red Road, where an estimated 50,000 people are expected to participate. Bengal is hosting the national-level event for the first time since the International Day of Yoga was introduced in 2014, with the programme being organised jointly by the state govt and the ministry of Ayush.Joywave Yoga, a wellness studio in New Town, will organise a 40-minute guided session on June 21, focusing on breathing techniques, stretching exercises and mindfulness practices. The session is designed to help participants begin the day on a positive note while introducing newcomers to the benefits of yoga.“Yoga offers a simple yet powerful way to cultivate physical vitality, mental clarity and emotional resilience. Our International Yoga Day session is designed to help participants start their day with renewed energy, inner calm and a deeper sense of connection with themselves,” said Supriti Mukherjee, a member.The World Yoga Society will hold special sessions across its four centres in Salt Lake, Golpark, Survey Park and Dum Dum from 8 am to 10 am. Organisers said the initiative is expected to draw participants from different age groups and fitness backgrounds.“International Yoga Day provides a valuable opportunity to bring communities together through the practice of yoga. Through simultaneous sessions at our centres across Kolkata, we hope to encourage more people to adopt yoga as a regular part of their lifestyle and experience its long-term physical and mental health benefits,” said an instructor.Among the organisations hosting special events is the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, which will organise a celebration at the ICAI Centre of Excellence in Rajarhat. The programme will begin at 6.30 am with a walkathon from the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre to the ICAI Centre of Excellence, followed by a yoga session at 7 am.“The event aims to promote health, wellness and holistic living among members, students and the wider community. Yoga is not only a form of physical exercise but also a means of achieving mental balance and overall well-being,” said an ICAI Eastern India Regional Council representative.
