by Dr Royal D'Souza for BISMumbai

International Yoga Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm and participation at the Don Bosco Centre for Learning (DBCL), Kurla, on 21st June 2025. The event was organized for the staff and students of Don Bosco Institute of Technology (DBIT) and Don Bosco College (DBC) in a hybrid mode by the NSS units of both institutions. The primary objective of the celebration was to promote physical and mental well-being among the students and staff, and to encourage the practice of yoga as part of a healthy lifestyle.

The celebration began with a brief introductory speech, highlighting the significance of International Yoga Day and its history of global recognition. The speech emphasized the theme - Yoga for Harmony and Peace – which aligns with the growing need for balance, calmness, and resilience in today’s fast-paced world. The introduction was followed by a yoga session conducted by certified instructors from Patanjali Yoga Samiti, Kurla. These trained professionals skilfully guided the participants through a sequence of yoga asanas, breathing exercises (pranayama), and a brief meditation segment. In the words of Michelle Sequeira – a second-year student of DBC – “The instructors were very enthusiastic and really helped us clear our mind of stress.”

The yoga session was inclusive and suitable for all irrespective of their familiarity with yoga. It began with gentle warm-up exercises to loosen the body and prepare it for the various yoga postures. Participants were then led through foundational asanas that promoted flexibility, strength, and balance. Breathing techniques were introduced to enhance focus and promote a sense of inner peace. The session concluded with a short meditation that encouraged relaxation and mindfulness.

Feedback collected from the participants was overwhelmingly positive. Many shared that the session helped them feel more relaxed, focused, and motivated to adopt yoga as a part of their daily routine. Chinmay Girkar who is a third-year student of DBC while sharing his experience of the session remarked, “The yoga session was very peaceful; the feeling was very refreshing!” There was also a strong interest expressed in conducting more wellness sessions in the future.