GUATEMALA CITY (TIP): The Embassy of India, in collaboration with the San Juan Sacatepéquez Municipality and local partners, launched the countdown to the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY-2025) with two spirited events on April 7, 2025, engaging over 300 young participants in a celebration of wellness, unity, and harmony. These initiatives mark the beginning of a 75-day journey toward IDY-2025, to be observed globally on June 21, 2025, underlining yoga’s universal appeal and its transformative impact on physical and mental well-being.

The first event, a vibrant curtain-raiser session held in partnership with the San Juan Sacatepéquez Municipality, brought together 200 enthusiastic young participants. The gathering buzzed with energy as attendees practiced yoga asanas, breathing exercises, and meditation, embracing the theme of fostering holistic health. The Embassy’s efforts to engage local sponsors ensured that all participants received nutritious food and commemorative t-shirts, enhancing the festive spirit and reinforcing community involvement. This event set an inspiring tone for the countdown, highlighting yoga’s role in uniting diverse groups through shared values of wellness and mindfulness.

Simultaneously, over 100 students from Colegio Benito Juárez joined the celebrations with a special yoga event tailored to inspire the younger generation. The session introduced students to yoga’s benefits, encouraging them to adopt practices that promote balance and harmony in their daily lives. Guided by experienced instructors, the students participated eagerly, embodying the spirit of IDY-2025. Local sponsors again played a pivotal role, providing food and t-shirts to ensure a memorable experience for all. The Embassy’s commitment to inclusivity shone through, as both events welcomed participants from varied backgrounds, fostering a sense of global unity.

The Embassy of India in Guatemala has built a strong legacy of promoting yoga through impactful International Day of Yoga celebrations across Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. In 2022, under the theme “Yoga for Humanity,” the Embassy held yoga sessions at iconic locations including Mariscal Zavala, Antigua Guatemala, and Lake Atitlán, with approximately 2,500 participants joining the event at Mariscal Zavala alone. In 2023, the Embassy expanded its reach with the theme “Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” fostering global unity through events that drew around 3,500 participants at Mariscal Zavala. In 2024, aligning with the theme “Yoga for Self and Society,” the Embassy partnered with municipalities, government institutions, and community groups to host a record-breaking IDY event, engaging 5,000 yoga enthusiasts at Mariscal Zavala, complemented by workshops in rural areas. These efforts underscore the Embassy’s commitment to making yoga widely accessible and meaningful.

To sustain momentum for IDY-2025, Embassy’s proactive approach extends beyond these curtain-raisers, with plans for workshops, community sessions, and digital campaigns over the next 75 days. By collaborating with local governments, schools, and organizations, the Embassy aims to deepen yoga’s reach, encouraging sustainable lifestyle changes among Guatemalans. To mark “50 Days to IDY-2025” and “25 Days to IDY-2025” Mission is organizing events on 2nd May 2025 and 27 May 2025 and around 700 participants will be joining the countdown celebrations. In these events also local sponsors had committed to providing food and T-shirts for these 700 participants. Mission is also coordinating to organize countdown events accredited countries i.e., El Salvador and Honduras. On 13th June 2025, Embassy is organizing International Day of Yoga celebrations in Cobán, located 200 km from the capital — marking the first time the event to be hosted outside Guatemala City. For the main event, the initial response has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic, receiving more than 9,000 registrations and an estimated participation will be of around 12,000 people. This exceptional turnout is set to make the event the largest yoga gathering outside of India. Embassy invites all yoga enthusiasts to join us during the forthcoming yoga events.