About a thousand people took part in the celebration of International Yoga Day at the Astana Arena sports complex in Astana. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing the official website of the city akimat.

The event was held under the motto "Yoga — the art of healthy longevity." It was organized by the Embassy of India in Kazakhstan and the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC).

Nalini Singhal, director of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre at the Indian Embassy in Astana, noted that such events help develop intercultural dialogue.

"We expected at least 1,500 people at the stadium. Look how actively people are participating. This is the main principle of 'from person to person,' which unites people, especially in the post-COVID period. We see that people have begun to support a healthy lifestyle more, rather than relying only on medicine. Yoga helps to heal, improve health, and, as our motto says, promotes active longevity," he said.

The celebration of Yoga Day takes place not only in Astana but also in more than 20 cities of Kazakhstan. The events are organized jointly with local akimats, educational institutions, health centers, and yoga organizations.

The morning program in the capital began at 5:30 a.m. Participants performed 108 rounds of "Surya Namaskar," which translates from Sanskrit as "sun salutation." This practice includes 12 basic body positions related to stretching and arm work.

Anara Zhabaspayeva, a resident of the city of Kosshy, said she returned to yoga after a 10-year break and came to the stadium with her mentor.

"Yoga is a workout for the mind and body. It calms and relaxes. It is a mindful practice that makes the mind clearer and thoughts calmer. I love Shavasana the most — the pose of complete relaxation. To those who are just thinking about starting yoga, I advise not to be afraid. Age does not matter, and flexibility will definitely come with practice," said Anara Zhabaspayeva.

The culmination of the festive program will be the Global Music Festival of Lakshminarayana (LGMF)-2026. This is one of the leading international music events founded by world-renowned violinist Dr. Lakshminarayana Subramaniam.

The festival will feature Indian classical, orchestral, and world music in a fusion style. The program will be held in collaboration with Kazakh artists under the direction of conductor Maestro Abzal Mukhitdin.

Earlier, Kursiv reported that free outdoor yoga classes will be held in Astana from June 8 to September 8.