Q/ Prime Minister Modi has put yoga on the world map. How do you look at the nine-year journey?
A/ Ever since the declaration made by the UN General Assembly in 2014 following the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the International Day of Yoga (IDY) is celebrated globally, on June 21 every year. The aim of this initiative is to raise awareness about the many benefits of practising yoga and to promote its global significance for individual well-being and holistic health. This was the ninth edition of the IDY and all editions have seen record mass participation. Successive observation of the IDY has resulted in establishing this event as a global one in all its essence, thereby taking the ancient science of yoga to every nook and corner of the world. This has positioned India as a champion of good health and well-being across the globe.
The nine-year journey has seen many firsts, which testifies that the inherent all-embracing appeal and efficacy of yoga surpasses all limiting concepts that have divided mankind for eons. Yoga is accepted by people of all ages, religions and ethnicities, and has established itself as a perennial gift of Indian wisdom to the world.
Major international institutions like UNICEF, the WHO and the United Nations, along with Indian missions abroad and national and international yoga institutions, have been actively engaged in making it a success. The event organised on IDY 2022 saw a massive participation―almost 22.13 crore people in India participated. And the global outreach through the various initiatives was recorded to be around 125 crore. We are expecting this number to increase this year.
Q/ Yoga is more than just physical exercise; it is the representation of ancient Indian thought and traditions. What message does it give to the world?
A/ In today's fast-paced and stressful world, yoga provides an effective means to manage stress, improve physical and mental health, cultivate emotional well-being, and promote overall balance and harmony in life. By incorporating yoga into our daily routines, we can navigate the challenges of modern life with greater resilience, inner peace and a healthier mind-body connection.
Yoga provides a holistic approach to managing stress by combining physical postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama) and meditation. These practices help activate the relaxation response in the body, reducing stress hormones and promoting a sense of calm and inner peace. The relaxation techniques in yoga can help regulate the nervous system and induce a state of deep relaxation. Regular practice can lead to improved sleep patterns, allowing individuals to wake up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Even a short-spanned yoga regime like Y-Break is capable of de-stressing, refreshening and refocusing the workaholics. Other apps, too, like the WHO’s mYoga, have gained global acceptance. So, the clear message to the world is that yoga is for all and is for holistic well-being―encompassing and working on physical, mental and consciousness levels for all humans.
Q/ How is the government spreading awareness about the benefits of yoga, particularly among the youth, to make it part of their lifestyle?
A/ Yoga has solutions for professionals leading fast-paced, stressful life. It has been included in the school curriculum. The National Council of Educational Research and Training has done a wonderful job by bringing out modules and books on it, apart from the ministry of Ayush’s multi-dimensional efforts. The acceptance of yoga asana as a sport by Government of India has also significantly heightened the chances of it being taken up as a beneficial sports career by the youth. The capability of yoga in reducing stress, enhancing concentration and rejuvenating the mind-body combine has started showing its impact on the younger generation and it is indeed becoming part of their lifestyle.
Q/ You recently asked the private sector to start yoga cells and talked about yoga breaks.
A/ The prime minister has said, “Yoga is free―from copyright, patents and royalty payments. Yoga is adaptable―to your age, gender and fitness level. Yoga is portable―you can do it at home, at work or in transit.” This dynamic nature of yoga has enabled it to spread globally.
I believe corporate India also played a critical role in making yoga popular. I had appealed to all corporate houses to set up a ‘yoga cell’ in their workplaces, so that their employees and staff can reap the benefits of yoga. This will not only rejuvenate the working class of India, but also help the corporates to optimise efficiency.
A shorter version of the Y-Break yoga video has been launched to encourage more people to incorporate yoga into their daily life. Yoga on chair is basically a five-minute yoga break protocol which can be easily adopted by everyone.
Q/ Yoga is also a big attraction for foreign tourists. How is the tourism aspect being integrated with the promotion of yoga?
A/ The growth of Medical Value Travel (MVT) in India is aligned to the 'Heal in India & Heal by India' initiative. Yoga's integration into MVT offerings will enhance India's attractiveness as a destination for MVT and it provides beneficiaries with a comprehensive and enriching health care experience. This will be further strengthened as scientific research enables researchers to explore the physiological, psychological and therapeutic mechanisms underlying the benefits of yoga.
According to an analysis published by Allied Market Research, titled Yoga Market by Type: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021– 2027, the global yoga market size was $37.5 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach approximately $66.2 billion by 2027.
Q/ How do you look at the prospects of yoga as a profession? We hear of startups focusing on yoga and meditation. How big is this industry and its allied sectors?
A/ Government of India’s initiative 'Heal in India & Heal by India' will expand wellness market not only in the country, but also across the world. Many employment opportunities will emerge. We need qualified and trained people who will accept the challenge of this new opportunity. New startups in the field of yoga are also proving that employment in the field of yoga and health is booming. It is clear that yoga can become a factor of change not only in the life of an individual, but also at the national and global levels. To provide maximum employment opportunities in the Ayush sector, efforts are being made at multiple levels.
In recent years, the practice of yoga has exponentially grown across the globe. This has also created demand for yoga experts, yoga trainers and various yoga equipment. According to an estimate, the retail fitness services market in India is around $2.6 billion and the size of the yoga industry is estimated to be $80 billion. The market for yoga related equipment grew by about 154 per cent during Covid-19. As the market size of yoga has grown, so have the employment opportunities.
We see enormous opportunity for expanding “Made in India” products related to yoga. The ministry of Ayush uses and propagates the use of only environment friendly and 'Made in India' products in all yoga demonstration events organised by it. This will create demand and market for 'Made in India' products. Many startups focused on yoga have been established which are working to create innovative products.
Q/ At a personal level, how have you integrated yoga into your routine?
A/ My life and my daily routine are deeply dovetailed with yoga. In my childhood, I was attracted towards the preachings of the saints and sadhus visiting our locality. My early teachers, too, oriented me towards yoga and the Gita. Yoga came into my life so spontaneously that I did not even realise when it became part of my being. I do yoga daily and now, as the minister of Ayush, I am committed to it even more, as I came to know about many more aspects of yoga.
