By Dwayne Mahimkar
Indians in Samoa, USP students, and members of the broader community came together at the USP Samoa campus in Alafua to celebrate the 11th International Day of Yoga.
Samoa was among the first countries in the world to mark the day, with celebrations taking place early this morning. More than 30 participants joined this year’s event, which was organised by the ‘Indians in Samoa’ community in collaboration with the staff and students of USP Samoa. The celebration aligns with the United Nations recognition of International Day of Yoga, established in 2014.
The one-hour session featured a range of exercises aimed at promoting physical and mental well-being. It was led by educator and yoga practitioner Vaishali Nitturkar.
The session included yoga poses and stretches designed to relieve pain and muscle tension, breathing techniques to support mental calmness and help manage health issues, and guided meditation to help participants connect with their body, mind, and soul.
India’s High Commissioner to New Zealand and concurrently accredited to Samoa, Hon. Neeta Bhushan, shared her remarks via an audio message.
“This year’s Yoga Day is being celebrated under the theme ‘One Earth, One Health’, which reflects our shared commitment to better health and well-being for people around the world.”
She also extended her gratitude to the Indian diaspora and local communities involved in organising the event.
Participants expressed appreciation to the Indian community and to Vaishali for leading the session. Many shared how the experience supported their health and well-being.
USP Agriculture Prof. Dr Leslie Ubaub spoke about her experience practising yoga back home in the Philippines and the challenges of finding a yoga community in Samoa. She expressed hope that more sessions will be held in the future, ideally on a weekly basis.
Students also shared that they plan to use some of the breathing techniques learned during the session to help with their studies, research, and managing stress during exams.
Other Pacific nations celebrating the International Day of Yoga include Vanuatu, the Cook Islands, and Niue—all members of the USP region.
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