The 11th International Day of Yoga was celebrated with enthusiasm across Meghalaya on Saturday.
The Art of Living, Shillong Chapter hosted a vibrant and spirited celebration through a series of sessions and wellness programs in nine locations to spread the timeless benefits of yoga for mental clarity, physical well-being, and inner peace, resonating with this year’s theme of “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.”
A rural yet energetic celebration was held in Ri Bhoi where students and teachers alike explored yoga as a lifestyle tool for concentration and resilience. In Rilbong Sports & Cultural Club over 170 participants took part in the session.
In one of the largest gatherings of the day, over 200 participants including faculty, non-teaching staff, students, and their families came together to reaffirm yoga as a part of modern academic life at the North Eastern Hill University.
NEHU Pro Vice Chancellor Prof. Sumarbin Umdor in his address said, “Yoga is not just for physical health but for mental health as well. We all can do better for our university and for ourselves if we take better care of our health”.
At the Commissionerate of Food Safety, the celebration was held in collaboration with the Meghalaya Progressive Street Vendors Association. The Art of Living also conducted sessions at the Marwari Yuva Manch, Shillong Branch, Rhino Heritage Museum, Rilbong and at the Shillong Cantonment which was attended by security personnel and residents. Similarly yoga sessions were held at the College of Post Graduate Studies in Agricultural Sciences, CAU, Umiam, NERIE, NCERT, Umiam
All the sessions were tailored to enhance strength, focus, and stress management.
The Art of Living said the daylong celebrations reflected the organization’s commitment to building a stress-free, violence-free society through yoga, breathwork (Sudarshan Kriya), and community initiatives.
The North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) conducted sessions for 397 participants, including doctors, staff, students and family members.
The event was inaugurated with an address by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Officiating Director Prof. Vandana Raphael who welcomed the gathering said that yoga is not only thinking but is also an action that will make you bond with the earth and nature.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Joint Secretary (RCH) Meera Srivastava also attended the event and stressed the importance of yoga in everyone’s life. She also visited the hospital and took an overview of the various activities at NEIGRIHMS.
Prof. Rituparna Barooah (Head of the department Physiology) a level 3 Ayush Certified yoga trainer and evaluator conducted the yoga session. She was assisted by 50 student volunteers from the first year MBBS batch, who were trained for the last three months.
Dean and Medical Superintendent, Prof. Animesh Mishra said NEIGRIHMS is a proud participant of the mass yoga demonstration based on the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) in 1 lakh locations across India.
The North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda and Homoeopathy (NEIAH) in collaboration with Raj Bhavan, Shillong, organized “Yoga Sangam” at the Convocation Hall, NEHU.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh and Commissioner & Secretary to the Governor BDR Tiwari attended.
Lyngdoh in her address emphasised the need to spread Yoga awareness across all sections of society for inclusive growth, stating that such efforts will help India nurture a generation of young people with healthy minds and bodies.
NEIAH also highlighted that during the past few months the institute conducted several activities to the run up to the International Day of Yoga. The institute distributed around 1500 plants to various central institutes and organisations to promote ecological balance and wellness, Yoga Asana, painting, and photography competitions for creative engagement, Yoga protocol demonstrations in schools, colleges, offices, and tourist spots across Meghalaya as well as talk sessions aired on All India Radio and Doordarshan Shillong.
In Ramakrishna Mission, the event was organised by the Central Bureau of Communication (CBC). Swami Hitakamananda, Swami Divyaswarupananda, Swami Vedeshananda and other revered monks also took part.
Swami Vedeshananda reflected on the ancient origins and universal significance of yoga. He emphasised that yoga is a science that harmonises the body, mind, and breath, ultimately guiding the practitioner toward uniting the individual self with the universal self.
Yoga instructors from Meghalaya Yog Samiti led the participants through the Common Yoga Protocol, as prescribed by the Ministry of AYUSH.
A short and lively quiz on the International Day of Yoga (IDY) was held to test participants’ awareness of its history, global impact, and annual themes. The quiz drew enthusiastic responses, and winners were felicitated with prizes and certificates, providing a spirited and memorable conclusion to the event.
Organisers also announced that a three-day free Yoga camp will be conducted at the Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Quinton Road from June 22 to June 24 from 4 pm to 5:30 pm.
In West Jaintia Hills, the District Hub for Empowerment of Women under the District Social Welfare Department in collaboration with the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Yoga Cell, NSS Cell, and NCC Cell of Kiang Nangbah Government College, organised a yoga session led by Hercules Toi, Member Secretary Yoga cell.
Assistant Commissioner GLC Mylliem emphasised the importance of integrating yoga into daily routine and expressed hope that Yoga would become a lasting part of everyone’s lifestyle, not just limited to this special day.
The 67 Battalion CRPF held its sessions at the headquarters located at Polo Ground, Shillong under the guidance of trained instructors.
The event reflected CRPF’s ongoing commitment to promoting a healthy and disciplined lifestyle among its personnel.
The College of Community Science (CCS), Central Agricultural University (CAU), Tura celebrated the day with active participation of faculty, staff, students, and young children.
The yoga session was led by Shraddha Karki Chetry, who emphasised the importance of connecting the body, breath, and mind through yoga. Participants engaged in a series of postures and breathing techniques that promote flexibility, focus, and inner calm.
The Laboratory Nursery School under the Department of Human Development and Family Studies also observed the day with great zeal.
The Youth Hostel, Shillong hosted the celebration organised by the Meghalaya Yogasana Sports Association affiliated to Yogasana Bharat & Meghalaya State Olympic Association, preparatory practice for upcoming 39th National Game 2027.
Fifty participants joined the session with great enthusiasm and energy.
To embrace the goals of Digital India and support the Go Green initiative, participants registered online via a QR code, ensuring a paperless and eco-friendly process. As a further step toward sustainability, e-certificates of participation were distributed via email.
