Kuwait marks 12th International Day of Yoga with focus on healthy living
Kuwait joined countries around the world in celebrating the 12th International Day of Yoga, bringing together residents, wellness advocates and community groups to promote healthier lifestyles, mental well-being and active ageing through the ancient practice.
The 12th International Day of Yoga celebrations in Kuwait spearheaded by the Embassy of India, a three-day Yoga Festival from June 19 to 21, features community sessions, wellness workshops and outreach programs across the country.
The flagship event at Boulevard Cricket Stadium in Salmiya brought together yoga practitioners, diplomats, students and members of the wider community under the global theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing.”
The Embassy launched the celebrations with a women-led wellness session at India House and conducted a series of curtain-raiser events in collaboration with local organizations and schools to promote the benefits of yoga and healthy living.
The launch event was inaugurated by the Ambassador of India to Kuwait, H.E. Paramita Tripathi, who joined Kuwaiti wellness advocates in promoting yoga as a tool for physical, mental and emotional well-being.
The Embassy said the festival aims to encourage broader participation in wellness-focused activities and highlight yoga’s universal appeal as a pathway to a healthier and more balanced lifestyle.
On the 12th International Day of Yoga, a series of events are aimed at promoting physical fitness, mental well-being and healthy living, reflecting the growing popularity of yoga as a tool for holistic health.
This year’s global theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing”, highlights the role of yoga in improving physical health, emotional resilience and mental well-being throughout all stages of life.
The organizers said the theme is particularly relevant as societies worldwide face growing health challenges and ageing populations.
The Kuwait celebrations follow weeks of preparatory activities, including wellness workshops, school outreach programs and community yoga sessions designed to broaden participation and raise awareness about the benefits of regular yoga practice.
The International Day of Yoga has evolved into a global movement since the United Nations adopted June 21 as its official observance in 2014 following a proposal by India.
The initiative received the backing of 177 countries, making it one of the most widely supported resolutions in the history of the UN General Assembly. In Kuwait, yoga has witnessed increasing acceptance over the past two decades, supported by local wellness advocates and institutions promoting its benefits for stress management, flexibility, balance and overall health.
Addressing participants, the Ambassador of India to Kuwait, said: “I am particularly touched by the growing popularity of yoga in Kuwait. I wish to highlight the pioneering role of Her Excellency Sheikha Sheikha Ali Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the founder of Dar Atma, Kuwait’s first licensed yoga studio established in 2014. Sheikha Sheikha became the first Kuwaiti national to receive India’s Padma Shri award for her contributions to yoga.”
The ambassador said, “the recognition reflects the strong cultural and people-to-people ties between India and Kuwait and underscores yoga’s growing role in promoting health and well-being across communities.”
Sheikha Sheikha, founder of Dar Atma and president of the Kuwait Yoga Committee, has played a key role in advancing yoga education and wellness initiatives in the country.
Present at the event was Dr. Ameera Al-Hassan, Head of UN-Habitat Mission in Kuwait and GCC Regional Office and Her Excellency Ms. Lena Maryana, Ambassador of Indonesia and Dean of the Asian Ambassadors Group, underscoring the strong spirit of diplomatic solidarity and regional cooperation in promoting wellness and cultural exchange.
Her participation alongside fellow diplomats reflected the growing international recognition of yoga as a unifying practice that transcends borders and brings together diverse communities in support of health, harmony, and shared values.
Health experts note that yoga’s appeal extends beyond physical exercise, with growing evidence supporting its role in reducing stress, improving mental health and encouraging healthier lifestyles. The practice has become increasingly popular among people seeking preventive approaches to health and well-being.
Organizers said the annual observance also serves as a platform for cultural exchange and community engagement, bringing together people from different backgrounds through a shared focus on wellness.
As participants gathered across Kuwait to practice breathing exercises, meditation and yoga postures, the message of this year’s celebration remained clear: healthy ageing begins with healthy living, and small daily habits can contribute significantly to long-term physical and mental well-being.
