Mass Yoga Session Organised at the IIAS Shimla on International Yoga Day
The Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Shimla, in collaboration with the Medical Training Centre, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Shimla, organised International Yoga Day–2026 on Sunday at the Rashtrapati Niwas campus. Fellows, officers, staff members of the Institute, and other participants enthusiastically took part in a collective yoga session.
The programme commenced with a welcome address highlighting yoga as an invaluable heritage of India’s ancient knowledge tradition and underscoring its physical, mental, and spiritual significance. On the occasion, Professor Himanshu Kumar Chaturvedi, Director of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, remained present throughout the programme and participated in the entire yoga session along with the participants.
Thereafter, trained yoga instructors Shri Pushpendra Kumar and Shri Rampal from the Medical Training Centre, SSB, Shimla, conducted the yoga session in accordance with the Common Yoga Protocol prescribed by the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India. During the session, participants systematically practised various yogic postures, including Tadasana, Vrikshasana, and Bhujangasana, along with pranayama and meditation techniques. The instructors elaborated on the correct methodology of each practice, its health benefits, and its relevance in daily life. They explained that regular yoga practice not only enhances physical fitness and immunity but also plays a vital role in promoting mental balance, concentration, and a positive outlook towards life.
Addressing the participants, Dr Rajeev Ranjan, Commandant, Medical Training Centre, SSB, Shimla, stated that yoga is not merely a form of physical exercise but an effective means of cultivating a balanced and disciplined life. He emphasised that regular yoga practice is essential for a stress-free and healthy lifestyle.
Held amidst the serene and natural surroundings of Rashtrapati Niwas, the collective yoga session enabled participants to experience the importance of health, concentration, and self-discipline. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks.
