Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Reporter
MORE than 300 yoga enthusiasts gathered on the picturesque banks of the Zambezi River last Saturday, to mark the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY), in an event organised by the Embassy of India in collaboration with Victoria Falls Yoga.
This year’s celebrations were held under the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”, emphasising the unifying power of yoga in promoting physical, mental and environmental well-being.
The event was led by Ms Kerrith O’Fee, an internationally accredited yoga instructor and founder of Victoria Falls Yoga.
Speaking at the event, the Indian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Bramha Kumar, highlighted the enduring relevance of yoga as both a cultural bridge and a holistic health practice.
“The ancient wisdom of yoga has consistently demonstrated its relevance in connecting humanity across the globe. India continues to showcase the multifaceted benefits of yoga through joint scientific research, traditional knowledge exchanges and wellness innovations rooted in yoga,” he said.
Mr Kumar also encouraged wider community participation in yoga as a means of promoting global peace and health.
“We encourage everyone to take part in these celebrations as a reaffirmation of our shared commitment to building a healthier, more peaceful and sustainable future for all,” he added.
He further revealed India’s intention to strengthen bilateral co-operation with Zimbabwe, in the fields of traditional medicine and wellness.
“India looks forward to working with Zimbabwe to enhance collaboration in traditional knowledge, holistic well-being, and preventative healthcare by establishing an Ayush Chair at a selected Zimbabwean university,” he said.
Ms O’Fee, who has partnered with the Indian Embassy for the past four years in hosting IDY events, expressed her enthusiasm about yoga’s growing popularity in Zimbabwe.
“Yoga strengthens the body, calms the mind and cultivates a heightened sense of awareness and responsibility in daily life.
“This mindfulness enables us to adopt healthier, more sustainable lifestyles. In caring for ourselves, we begin to care for the Earth, reflecting the enduring Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: the world is one family,” she said.
Victoria Falls Yoga offers unique wellness experiences, including Yoga at the Falls, Yoga on the Bridge, Yoga on the Zambezi, and the soon-to-be-launched Yoga with Elephants programme.
Ms O’Fee said their mission is to deliver meaningful wellness journeys that foster connection to self, to nature and to the spirit of Africa.
This year marks over a decade since the United Nations adopted India’s proposal to designate June 21 as the International Day of Yoga. Since then, IDY has evolved into a global movement, attracting millions of participants to events that underscore yoga’s universal appeal.
“Rooted in ancient Indian wisdom, yoga is much more than physical movement,” noted the Indian Embassy in a statement.
“It is a universal science of inner balance and holistic well-being. At a time when stress, lifestyle diseases and mental health issues are escalating, yoga provides a reliable, time-tested path that helps us find calm within and live more harmoniously with others.”
The Victoria Falls gathering is one of several IDY celebrations taking place across Zimbabwe this month, signalling the rising popularity of yoga in the country.
As more Zimbabweans discover its physical and mental health benefits, yoga is increasingly embraced not merely as an exercise but as a way of life, promoting harmony between individuals, communities and nature.
With plans to integrate traditional Indian wellness practices further into Zimbabwe’s health and education sectors, the future of yoga in the country appears bright. — @nyeve14
