International Yoga Day 2026 to Be Marked with Focus on Healthy Ageing

The Department of Ayurveda and Alternative Medicine under the Ministry of Health and Food Hygiene has announced a series of programmes to mark International Yoga Day 2026 on June 21 under the global theme “Yoga for Healthy Ageing” (स्वस्थ बुढ्यौलीका लागि योग).

According to the department, the event will be organized in collaboration with the National Ayurveda Research and Training Centre, Ayurveda Campus Kirtipur, and district Ayurveda hospitals in Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur.

The main programme will take place at the National Ayurveda Panchakarma and Yoga Service Centre in Budhanilkantha, beginning at 7:30 am. Activities will include yoga practice sessions, awareness programmes on the importance of yoga and pranayama, and a creative arts competition among Ayurveda students based on the theme of healthy ageing.

Dr. Vasudev Upadhyay, the Director General of the department said regular yoga practice contributes to physical flexibility, mental well-being and overall quality of life, particularly among older adults. International Yoga Day has been observed globally since 2015 to promote awareness of yoga’s benefits for health and wellness.

Ahead of the event, organizers have also scheduled a clean-up campaign, speech competition among Ayurveda Campus.