The 11th International Yoga Day was celebrated with fervent enthusiasm across India, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Visakhapatnam. PM Modi emphasized yoga’s profound ability to serve as a 'pause button' for peace amidst a world fraught with global tensions, describing it as a universal gift that transcends boundaries of background, age, or physical ability, uniting humanity in health, harmony, and consciousness. This overarching message of peace resonated deeply, particularly as the day's events unfolded against a backdrop of escalating international conflicts and notable achievements in sports.

Internationally, the Israel-Iran conflict continued to intensify, with Israel launching new strikes on Iran’s missile sites. Tehran, in turn, accused the United States of undermining diplomatic efforts by supporting these Israeli operations. Amidst these geopolitical tensions, India successfully conducted its third rescue flight under Operation Sindhu, bringing citizens home from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, underscoring the government's commitment to ensuring the safe return of its nationals from conflict zones. In related political news, US President Donald Trump publicly dismissed his Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard’s, assessment regarding Iran's nuclear program, stating that her intelligence community's view was 'wrong'.

The world of sports also saw significant developments. Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra clinched his first Diamond League victory in two years at the Paris leg, achieving an impressive 88.16m throw in his first attempt, showcasing his dominant return after a series of second-place finishes. Domestically, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) celebrated International Yoga Day in a unique, light-hearted manner by sharing a viral collage of their star cricketer Rishabh Pant in exaggerated yoga poses. This tribute perfectly captured Pant's popular cheeky charm. Beyond the humorous take, Pant also made headlines on the cricket pitch with a gutsy unbeaten 65 not out on Day 1 of India’s Test match at Headingley, contributing to India's commanding position against England alongside skipper Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

The spirit of yoga was also championed by celebrities. Actress Anushka Sharma, in a 2022 throwback, shared her personal journey with yoga, highlighting its consistent presence through 'all ages and phases' of her life, including during her pregnancy. This reflective post underscored yoga as an 'ancient and truly unparalleled form of wellness.' More recently, veteran Bollywood star and politician Hema Malini actively participated in a yoga session in Mathura for the 11th International Yoga Day, advocating for its universal practice. Despite a knee problem, she emphasized yoga's importance for physical fitness, stating, 'Everybody should do yoga.' Malini also shared her observations on current film industry trends, expressing concern over the over-glorification of violence in contemporary movies compared to the 'pleasantness and happiness' of films from her era.

A significant focus of this year's International Yoga Day was on introducing yoga to children. Experts like Dr. Narendra K Shetty, Chief Wellness Officer at Kshemavana Naturopathy and Yoga Centre, Bangalore, emphasized the critical need to integrate yoga into children’s routines to combat the challenges of a digitalized world. Starting yoga early helps children develop body awareness, manage stress naturally, improve immunity, and support hormonal balance. Dr. Shetty provided a detailed guide of 10 gentle yoga asanas that children can practice with parents, highlighting their specific benefits:

• 1. Tadasana (Mountain Pose): Improves posture, strengthens legs, enhances concentration.
• 2. Vrikshasana (Tree Pose): Builds balance, body awareness, self-confidence.
• 3. Balasana (Child’s Pose): Calms the mind, improves digestion, relaxes the nervous system.
• 4. Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose): Strengthens the spine, opens the chest, relieves fatigue.
• 5. Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose): Strengthens back and legs, stimulates digestion, improves mood.
• 6. Marjaryasana-Bitilasana (Cat-Cow Pose): Increases flexibility of the spine, improves coordination and focus.
• 7. Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend): Calms the mind, stretches the spine and hamstrings, enhances digestion.
• 8. Baddha Konasana (Butterfly Pose): Opens the hips, improves blood circulation, calms hyperactivity.
• 9. Ananda Balasana (Happy Baby Pose): Releases tension in the lower back, improves sleep, soothes anxiety.
• 10. Shavasana (Corpse Pose): Deeply relaxes body and mind, resets the nervous system, improves emotional regulation.

Morning time, ideally before breakfast, was recommended as the most beneficial period for children to practice yoga, with consistency being paramount. Even 15-20 minutes daily can significantly contribute to their holistic well-being. The 11th International Yoga Day served as a powerful reminder for individuals and families alike to embrace yoga as a means to achieve inner peace, balance, and unity in a rapidly changing world.