The High Commission of India in Canberra is marking the tenth anniversary of the International Day of Yoga with a community session on 16 August 2025, inviting Canberrans to participate in a morning of yoga and meditation led by Yoga Australia CEO, Josh Pryor.
Set at the Theo Notaras Multicultural Centre, the event runs from 10:00am to 11:30am and is part of a wider effort to keep the spirit of Yoga Mahotsav alive beyond the official date of 21 June. This year’s global theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” aligns with growing awareness of the link between individual wellbeing and planetary health.
The International Day of Yoga was first proposed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the United Nations General Assembly in 2014. It quickly received unanimous support from member states, signalling broad international interest in the practice and its benefits. Since then, countries around the world have taken to marking 21 June with community sessions, public events, and wellness campaigns.
This Canberra event follows a series of commemorative sessions organised by Indian diplomatic missions around the world. In Australia, where yoga enjoys broad popularity across age groups and communities, the High Commission’s collaboration with Yoga Australia reinforces the inclusive nature of the practice. As the flyer notes, the aim is to promote unity, balance, and a moment of pause through accessible practices like breathing, stretching, and guided meditation.
Speaking to local press, Josh Pryor said, “Yoga is not just movement, it’s an approach to life. What we’re doing here is offering people a space to reconnect—with themselves, their breath, and the present moment.”
The Theo Notaras venue has long been a gathering point for Canberra’s multicultural communities, and organisers say the function room was chosen for both its accessibility and symbolism. “It’s a reminder that yoga doesn’t belong to any one tradition. It’s open, adaptable, and ultimately human,” said a spokesperson from the High Commission.
Participants are encouraged to register in advance using the RSVP link provided in the flyer. Mats will be available on-site, though attendees are welcome to bring their own. The session is free to attend, and open to all experience levels.
Organisers say this event is part of a broader calendar of cultural and wellness initiatives being planned through to the end of the year, some of which will include collaboration with local councils and health-focused groups. “It’s a soft invitation,” the spokesperson added. “Come as you are. It’s not a performance, it’s a practice.”
Australia’s yoga community continues to grow, with recent figures from Yoga Australia suggesting membership and studio attendance are both on the rise, particularly in urban centres like Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra. While some practitioners gravitate towards the fitness aspects, others embrace yoga’s meditative roots and therapeutic value.
The event is supported by the High Commission of India and Yoga Australia, with on-ground coordination by local volunteers. It’s free, open to the public, and designed as a gentle way to spend a Saturday morning in Canberra’s city centre.
Click here to RSVP
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