Can a daily practice of stretching, breathing, and stillness redefine the ageing process? Through the holistic benefits of yoga, this simple routine counteracts cellular degradation, regulates stress hormones, and keeps the physical body remarkably resilient over time.
This year, the International Day of Yoga is marked globally on June 21, with the theme 'Healthy Ageing'.
Doctors point out that lifestyle diseases that once arrived in middle age are now showing up far earlier. Unhealthy food habits, excessive screen exposure, mounting stress, and sedentary routines are affecting people well before they reach their 40s.
Chronic lifestyle conditions like hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and anxiety are now striking individuals well within their 20s and 30s.
International Yoga Day 2026
The essence of yoga is in consistency and willingness to do it. Its value lies in how it interacts with the body's hormonal system.
According to studies, yoga can lower cortisol levels by 20-30 per cent. Stress drives up cortisol levels, which in turn can trigger insulin resistance, weight gain, thyroid imbalance and broader metabolic disruption.
For those diagnosed with diabetes, consistent yoga practice has been linked to measurable improvement in long-term blood sugar markers like HbA1c (Haemoglobin A1C).
"By preserving flexibility, joint mobility, and muscle strength, yoga supports healthy ageing. It has other benefits of improving one's posture and easing their daily activities or chores, including physical movements," said Dr Teena David, a physician based in Chennai.
She also added that, along with a healthy diet, practising yoga helps in better sleep and thus controls stress.
"I have been doing yoga for the past two days, and I feel so much better than earlier," said Jeffin Thomas, an IT professional based in Bengaluru. "I have been dealing with work stress a lot, and Yoga has helped me keep calm. It also improved my body flexibility," he added.
Slow breathing activates that relaxation response, reduces the amount of stress hormones and helps calm an overactive mind.
Even while championing the benefits of yoga, experts emphasise that it is not a substitute for prescribed medicine. Rather, it should be viewed as a supportive, complementary practice for overall well-being
