International Yoga Day (21-6-2025) Yoga: A Way of Life for the Planet and Not a mere Rhetoric

This International Yoga Day, let us rediscover Yoga as a path of ecological awareness, where every breath, step, and action becomes a means to protect our environment and mitigate climate change. The Eightfold Path of Yoga, known as Ashtanga Yoga, offers a powerful framework to integrate nature-based values into our everyday lives. It is not limited to physical fitness or meditation. It is a complete way of life—one that aligns our body, mind, and spirit with the natural world.

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On International Yoga Day, let us reimagine Yoga as a path for environmental stewardship and a practical way to embed nature-based solutions into our daily lives. Let us see how each of the eight limbs of Yoga can guide us to become better caretakers of the Earth. These can easily be ingrained in our daily lifestyle without much of ado:

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1. Yama –Living Ethically with Nature: Yamas guide how we relate to the world around us through values and these principles help reduce our ecological footprint and inspire thoughtful living, such as:

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• Ahimsa (non-violence): Say no to pollution and practices that harm life.

• Satya (truthfulness): Be honest about environmental challenges.

• Aparigraha (non-hoarding): Consume only what you truly need.

• Brahmacharya (moderation): Practice restraint and balance.

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2. Niyama –Personal Discipline for Collective Impact: Niyamas encourage inner cleanliness and self-awareness. When practiced regularly, these observances turn inner purity into outer sustainability:

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• Shaucha (cleanliness): Keep both self and surroundings pollution-free.

• Santosha (contentment): Find joy in simplicity, not materialism.

• Tapas (discipline): Build daily eco-friendly habits.

• Svadhyaya (self-study): Learn about nature and your role in preserving it.

• Ishwarapranidhana (surrender): See the divine in every tree, river, and life form.

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3. Asana –Reconnecting Body with Earth: When practiced regularly, these observances turn inner purity into outer sustainability. Moving consciously strengthens our bond with the natural world. Yoga postures practiced on natural ground help us:

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• Feel grounded and in sync with the Earth’s rhythm.

• Respect the elements—air, water, soil—as sacred.

• Cultivate physical and mental stillness in nature.

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4.Pranayama – Breathing in Harmony with the Earth: Moving consciously strengthens our bond with the natural world. Each breath becomes a quiet commitment to the planet. Breath is life—and a gift of trees and clean air. Through mindful breathing:

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• We become aware of our dependence on forests and ecosystems.

• We develop gratitude and responsibility to keep the air clean.

• We choose actions that reduce air pollution and preserve natural habitats.

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5.Pratyahara – Turning Inward to Reduce Excess: Each breath becomes a quiet commitment to the planet. Reducing sensory overload brings clarity and deepens ecological sensitivity. Pratyahara teaches us to pause and unplug from outer distractions:

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• Step away from excessive consumption and screen time.

• Create space for silence and reflection.

• Reconnect with the simplicity and wisdom of nature.

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6. Dharana– Focused Awareness of the Environment: Reducing sensory overload brings clarity and deepens ecological sensitivity. Mindfulness sharpens our connection with the environment. With Dharana, we train the mind to focus:

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• Notice the birds, trees, seasons, and subtle changes around us.

• Be conscious of daily water and energy usage.

• Reflect before we consume or discard.

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7. Dhyana –Meditating with the Earth: In stillness, we grow compassion for all beings. Such meditation fosters deep ecological empathy:

• Meditate on the beauty and fragility of the planet.

• Visualize healing for rivers, forests, oceans, and wildlife.

• Feel the interconnectedness of all life.

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8. Samadhi– Realizing Oneness with Nature: Such meditation fosters deep ecologicalempathy. In Samadhi, caring for the Earth becomes instinctive and joyful. Samadhiis the state of unity—where the self merges with the universe:

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• We no longer see ourselves as separate from nature.

• Our choices become naturally sustainable and compassionate.

• Conservation flows effortlessly from this realization.

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To conclude: Living Yoga for the Planet

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Yoga invites us to shift from doing Yoga merely for fitness to living, Yoga as a way of caring for the planet. When the eight limbs of Yoga shape the way we eat, travel, work, consume, and interact with others and the environment, they naturally lead us toward a more sustainable, mindful, and balanced way of life. By embedding these yogic principles into our daily routine—not just on the mat, but also in the kitchen, at work, and while moving through the world—we transform Yoga into a living philosophy of balance, harmony, and respect for ourselves and for our only home, the Earth.

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Let this International Yoga Day be more than a celebration—it should be a call to action, a reminder that through conscious living, each of us can be a yogi for the Earth. By truly living these values, we move beyond preaching and turn conservation into a way of life—this is how rhetoric becomes real change.

Dr. A. K.Gupta

Chief Operating Officer & Registrar, TDU