Shillong, June 16: The North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda and Homoeopathy (NEIAH), Shillong, has launched a series of activities to mark the International Day of Yoga 2026, being observed from June 11 to June 21 under the theme “Yoga for Healthy Ageing.”
The initiative aims to promote holistic health, wellness, awareness and community engagement through the practice of yoga. The celebrations include online and offline yoga sessions, public demonstrations, institutional outreach programmes, village awareness campaigns, workplace yoga activities, competitions, seminars and a grand concluding event on June 21.
The programme commenced with online yoga break sessions and Yoga Samavesh demonstrations at NEIAH Hospital, involving healthcare professionals, staff members and the public. Daily awareness lectures and Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) practice sessions are also being conducted.
As part of its outreach activities, NEIAH is organising yoga demonstrations at several prominent tourist destinations in Meghalaya, including Mattilang Park, Khongthong (Whistling Village), Mawphlang and Markham Valley, to spread awareness on the physical and mental health benefits of yoga among residents and visitors.
The institute is also conducting awareness programmes in educational institutions across Shillong, including Central Hindi Institute, MIT, William Carey University, BKBS School, St. Claret School and Holy Cross institutions, encouraging students and youth to adopt healthy lifestyles through yoga.
To strengthen grassroots participation, yoga sessions are being held in adopted villages such as Deingiong and Mawpdang, while workplace yoga programmes are being organised for hospital staff across departments including Panchakarma, Nursing, Laboratory, Administration, Paramedical Services and Security.
Among the major events lined up are the Yoga Unplugged Competitions on June 17–18 featuring poster-making, reel creation and asana competitions; Run for Yoga – “Daud se Dhyan” on June 19 from NIFT to NEIAH; and the Yoga Sangam Seminar on June 20 focusing on yoga research and AYUSH-related studies.
The celebrations will culminate on June 21, International Day of Yoga, with the flagship Yoga Sangam Programme at NEIAH Hospital. The event will feature a virtual address by the Prime Minister, yoga demonstrations, prize distribution and a closing ceremony.
Additional activities include a radio talk on All India Radio Shillong and a special yoga session on holistic health at the North Eastern Police Academy (NEPA), Umiam.
NEIAH stated that the programme reflects its continued commitment to integrating traditional health sciences with community wellness initiatives and promoting yoga as a tool for preventive healthcare, mental well-being and social harmony.
