In the early morning at Suva’s Grand Pacific Hotel, yoga mats stretched across the ground as people of all races, ages, and backgrounds came together to mark the International Day of Yoga.
Hosted by the High Commission of India, bringing together Fijians in a shared celebration of wellness under this year’s theme, yoga for Harmony and Peace, aligned with the global message of Yoga for One Earth and One Health.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad emphasized yoga’s power to unify people through a shared journey of wellbeing.
He says yoga is far more than a form of physical exercise rather it is a comprehensive wellness practice that nurtures the body, mind, and spirit.
He noted how, in a world grappling with sedentary lifestyles and rising mental health concerns, yoga offers a moment to pause, breathe, and ground ourselves.
Professor Prasad stresses yoga is something anyone can do—young or old, fit or just beginning and that is what makes it so powerful.
He says while tying yoga to Fiji’s broader public health efforts, the practice aligns with the Government’s push for preventive healthcare, especially among young people, frontline workers, and vulnerable communities.
Professor Prasad says yoga has found a home in Fiji and that it is no longer seen as something foreign - it is something local and something that belongs to all of us.
