Deputy Secretary-General, Delivering International Day Message, Highlights Yoga’s Potential Role in Caring for, Rehabilitating COVID-19 Patients

Following is the text of UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s video message for the International Day of Yoga today:

Dear friends,

It is a pleasure to join you in peace and solidarity to celebrate the International Day of Yoga.

Millions of people globally practise yoga.  For many, it is an integral part of their daily lives.

Yoga is open to people of all ages and abilities.  Its benefits are legion.  Yoga is great for the body — for flexibility and balance.  It is terrific for the mind — promoting patience, discipline and resilience.  And yoga helps people to forge a connection between the two by cultivating mindfulness.  Yoga also has the potential to connect people from different cultures and advance our shared global values of peace, tolerance and solidarity.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused enormous stress and anxiety for many worldwide, stemming from loss, isolation, economic insecurity or disruption to normal routines and work-life balance.  Yoga can help us cope with uncertainty and anxiety.  It can also play a significant role in the care and rehabilitation of COVID-19 patients in allaying fears and sorrow.

For these reasons and more, we at the United Nations continue to promote yoga and meditation for our staff and their families.  I hope that more people take up this ancient activity, to connect more deeply not only with themselves, but with greater humanity and the natural environment.

I wish friends and fellow yoga-lovers everywhere a serene and happy International Day of Yoga.

Thank you.