MARY PRIYANKA
Ranchi, June 21: On a day when millions across the globe joined in unison and embraced yoga to mark International Yoga Day, Ranchi paused to listen to one of its own, Arya Prahlad Bhagat, a yoga teacher, Yoga Acharya at Natraj Institute of Yoga, with over a decade of teaching behind him
At his studio, Natraj Yoga, nearly 50 students gathered for an evening session to celebrate Yoga Day. But for him, Yoga is not just about gathering crowds or perfecting postures; it’s a way of life. Yoga isn’t just for one day, it’s a way of life. He shared his views on the celebration of Yoga Day throughout the country. He credits the Prime Minister’s initiative for giving yoga its global recognition. “It’s a matter of pride that India now has one day dedicated to celebrating something that’s part of our culture. He further shared the importance of yoga, “Our minds are noisy. Yoga makes space and in that space, you make better decisions,” he explained. “It brings mental clarity, physical strength, and spiritual calm. He shed light on how yoga supports day-to-day life by bringing clarity to the mind, stability to emotions, and balance to decision-making, making everyday challenges easier to navigate.
With rising issues among youth drug use, alcohol abuse, anxiety, and depression he emphasized how yoga can serve as a powerful tool to build mental strength and emotional stability. “When young minds feel overwhelmed, yoga offers calm and clarity instead of chaos,” he said. He reflected on how today’s fast-paced world pushes people to social media and the outside world in search of answers, but yoga teaches to go within to know oneself better through meditation.
He further shared his excitement for yoga’s growing global recognition. “Yogasana will be included at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. That shows people are truly waking up to the value of yoga, not just as an ancient tradition, but as something relevant, evolving, and needed in today’s world.
