Join the celebration: A special yoga event for seniors in Durban on International Yoga Day

The Sivananda World Peace Foundation will host a yoga event specifically for the elderly, featuring gentle stretches, breathing exercises, and meditation techniques.

The event will be held in KwaMashu, Durban, on Sunday, focusing on enhancing the physical and mental health of senior citizens through community building and social engagement.

The foundation's instructors will lead this yoga session and guide participants through gentle stretches, breathing exercises, and meditation techniques. 

“We are thrilled to have His Excellency South African High Commissioner to India, Professor Anil Sooklal, to commemorate the 11th International Yoga Day in KwaMashu,” said Sivananda World Peace Foundation President Ishwar Ramlutchman.  

“Our goal is to promote healthy ageing, while celebrating the diversity and richness of our community.”

There will be several precursor events before the main event in June. 

Ramlutchman, also known as Prince Mabheka Zulu, confirmed that Durban has been designated as the permanent host city for the International Day of Yoga in South Africa.

The 11th International Day of Yoga will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 8am to 12pm at the Durban Beachfront Amphitheatre.

“Durban is a natural home for this global celebration. It is easily accessible, rich in multi-cultural diversity, and deeply supportive of peace and wellness,” Ramlutchman said. 

The 2025 event is themed “Yoga for One Earth, One Health, and Oneness” and is expected to attract over 3,000 local participants and visitors from across South Africa and beyond.

This celebration has increasing strategic support from provincial and national governments, international organisations, non-governmental organisations, private-sector partners, and the United Nations.

Support for the yoga celebration includes the KZN government, Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli, the National Department of Health, Durban Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba, and various private-sector stakeholders.

Additionally, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has formally partnered with the event. The partnership underscores UNESCO’s mission of promoting peace, culture, and sustainable development. It also highlights Durban’s connection to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as Okhahlamba within Giant’s Castle in the Drakensberg Mountains.

The event also marks the 100th birth anniversary of Sri Swami Sahajanandaji, spiritual head of South Africa’s largest spiritual institution, The Divine Life Society. 

He was a towering spiritual figure in South Africa who exemplified yoga through dedicated, selfless service to the disadvantaged. His extensive initiatives included establishing schools, creches, and clinics, and fostering strong social unity. Through these diverse programmes and infrastructure development, he created a lasting foundation of social cohesion.

Swami Sahajanandaji brought out the true meaning of yoga to be to integrate the mind and body through selfless action.

thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za