Over 200 yoga enthusiasts gathered at the iconic Jaffa Gate complex in Jerusalem on Tuesday evening to mark the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY), an event postponed earlier due to regional tensions. With calm returning, the historic site buzzed with energy as participants of all ages embraced the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.”

Hosted by the Municipality of Jerusalem, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Embassy of India, the session highlighted yoga’s role in fostering personal and communal harmony. India’s Ambassador to Israel, J P Singh, emphasized, “Yoga keeps us healthy, physically and mentally, especially in stressful times.” He noted the event’s significance in Jerusalem, a city rich in history and culture.

Israel, known for having one of the highest numbers of yoga practitioners per capita, saw the event as a testament to yoga’s widespread appeal. Ambassador Sagi Karni, Head of South Asia Bureau at Israel’s Foreign Ministry, referenced Israel’s first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion, a known yoga enthusiast, underscoring the practice’s deep roots in the country. “If yoga matters to India’s Prime Minister Modi, it matters to us,” Karni said.

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Liat Piatro Amon, Director of Jerusalem’s Sports Authority, described the city as a global hub where yoga’s spiritual and physical benefits resonate deeply. “Yoga is a way of life promoting health, emotional balance, and community,” she said. The event concluded with a symbolic release of yellow balloons, calling for peace and the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza.

Local yoga instructors Maayan Shenhar and Maayan Rodan led the session, accompanied by live sitar music from Israeli musician Tavor Ben Dor. Shenhar, a Jerusalem native, called it a “dream come true” to lead hundreds in yoga at such a historic site. “Yoga helps us care for ourselves, especially in tough times,” she said.

Participant Lena highlighted yoga’s integration into Israeli life, from preschool to workplace programs. “Seeing the city alive with yoga and smiles is incredible,” she said. Leading up to IDY 2025, the Embassy of India organized pre-events across universities and cities, further cementing yoga’s popularity, with its Indian origins widely recognized among Israel’s youth.

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