Sri Vijaya Puram, May 27: The iconic National Memorial Cellular Jail became the backdrop for a special “Heritage Yoga” session on Tuesday as the AYUSH Wing of the Directorate of Health Services and the A&N State Ayush Society organised a programme marking the 25-day countdown to the International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2026.
Held in front of the historic monument, the event combined the message of holistic wellness with the cultural and historical significance of one of the country’s most important freedom struggle memorials. Officials said the programme was aimed at promoting yoga as a way of life while also connecting participants to the heritage and identity of the islands.
A total of 47 participants joined the morning yoga session, enthusiastically performing various yoga asanas and breathing exercises under the guidance of instructors from the AYUSH department. The programme was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Nandini, Medical Officer In-Charge (Yoga & Naturopathy), AYUSH Hospital.
The event formed part of the nationwide countdown activities leading up to International Day of Yoga, observed annually on June 21. Across the country, similar awareness programmes, workshops and community sessions are being organised to promote the importance of physical, mental and emotional well-being through yoga.
At the Cellular Jail venue, participants performed a series of yoga postures and pranayama practices designed to improve flexibility, posture, breathing and stress management. Organisers also encouraged attendees to incorporate yoga into their daily routines as a preventive and lifestyle-based approach to health.
Officials noted that the choice of Cellular Jail as the venue added symbolic value to the programme. The memorial, associated with the sacrifices of freedom fighters during India’s independence movement, was described as a reminder of resilience, discipline and inner strength — values often associated with yoga philosophy.
The “Heritage Yoga” concept has emerged as a recurring theme in recent years, with yoga sessions increasingly being organised at culturally and historically significant sites across India. Such programmes are intended to combine awareness about traditional wellness practices with heritage conservation and tourism promotion.
Participants at Tuesday’s session included residents, yoga enthusiasts and health officials who took part in the guided exercises in the early morning hours. The serene atmosphere of the memorial complex added to the significance of the event, organisers said.
The AYUSH Wing and the State Ayush Society have been conducting multiple outreach activities in the lead-up to IDY 2026, focusing on community participation and awareness generation. Officials indicated that additional programmes and yoga sessions will continue across the islands in the coming weeks as part of the countdown campaign.
Yoga, which originated in ancient India, has gained worldwide recognition as a holistic wellness practice promoting physical fitness, mental clarity and emotional balance. Since the United Nations declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga in 2014, large-scale observances have been organised annually across India and abroad.
Authorities said the continued participation of residents in such programmes reflects growing awareness about preventive healthcare and healthy living practices in the islands. The Administration has also emphasised the role of yoga in strengthening public health and promoting overall well-being through low-cost and accessible wellness practices.
