Yoga must become a way of life, not a one-day event, says the Minister of Health

Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav, Health Minister Saurabh Gaur, Health Commissioner G. Veerapandian and Government Adviser on Yoga and Naturopathy Manthena Satyanarayana Raju at a press conference at the Secretariat in Velagapudi on Monday. | Photo credit: BY ARRANGEMENT

Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare Minister Satya Kumar Yadav said that the state government’s aim is to make yoga an integral part of everyone’s life and that its aim goes beyond organizing a one-day event on the occasion of International Yoga Day.

Addressing the Secretariat in Velagapudi on Monday, the Minister along with Health Minister Saurabh Gaur, Health and Family Commissioner G. Veerapandian and Government Adviser on Yoga and Naturopathy Manthena Satyanarayana Raju announced that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has approved the establishment of AP Yoga Prachara Parishad. The proposal is currently being assessed by the Ministry of Finance.

Mr. Yadav said three regional offices would be set up under the Parishad to coordinate and supervise yoga-related activities during the year. While 1.5 million coaches attended the celebrations last year, the number has now increased to 2.5 million. A dedicated war room will also be set up to monitor the activities carried out under the Yogandhra programme.

Awareness programs will be held from June 7 to 20, while the main event of International Yoga Day will be held in Amaravati on June 21. A special yoga practice for 25,000 participants is planned at the Krishna River Bridge in Amaravati.

Yoga demonstrations will be organized at two prominent tourist destinations in each district during the two-week campaign. In the Guntur district, Undavalli Caves and Mangalagiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple are selected sites. In Nandyal district, programs will be held near Srisailam and Mahanandi temples.

As part of Yogandhra, the yoga competitions will be held in four phases. Village and division level competitions will be held from June 7 to 9, mandal level competitions from June 10 to 12, district level events from June 14 to 16 and state level finals from June 18 to 20 in Vijayawada.

District and state level winners will receive prizes and outstanding artists will be invited to a special event in Amaravati attended by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.

To promote yoga at the household level, Mr. Satyanarayana Raju has prepared free video content in four categories. The videos can be accessed by sending a WhatsApp message “Hello” to 8142404888. Users will receive a QR code which, when scanned, will provide access to a Google Drive link where the videos can be downloaded.

Published – 01 Jun 2026 20:40 IST