The Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy has always encouraged its personnel and families to pursue and excel in sports, adventure, and physical fitness activities. Time and again, naval personnel have brought laurels to the Service and to the nation in a variety of sporting fields. Yoga as a discipline has been integral to the Command’s list of top physical and mental wellness regimens and has been practiced on a daily basis on board ships and in shore establishments. In addition, yoga coaching camps have been conducted at NOFRA and Navy Nagar in Mumbai for the last six months.

On the occasion of the 8th International Day of Yoga (IDY-22), which coincides with the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, yoga camps were conducted by units of the Command on 21 June 2022, from 0700 hours to 0830 hours as per the Common Yoga Protocol promulgated by the Ministry of Ayush. Over 10000 naval personnel and defence civilians (including family members) participated in camps that were organised in various naval units in Mumbai, Karwar, Goa, Porbandar and Okha. Yoga was also conducted by naval personnel onboard naval ships on the high seas and in foreign ports with great enthusiasm, showcasing the benefits of this ancient discipline to audiences across the oceans. Special yoga sessions were also conducted for children of Navy Children Schools across the Command to inculcate a spirit of discipline and well-being in them. Around 500 children of Naval Children School, Mumbai participated in the yoga session conducted in their school. The onset of the Southwest monsoon did not dampen the spirits of naval personnel and their families that participated in large numbers in camps conducted across the Western Naval Command.

In the run-up to the event, Yoga camps were also conducted on 19 and 30 May 22 by a variety of certified Yoga instructors in South Mumbai, at eight different locations. Activities like the display of banners and standees, quiz and photography competitions, and conduct of seminars, workshops, and lectures were conducted by various units to promote Yoga awareness in the month preceding IDY 22. Prominent naval buildings were also illuminated to celebrate the occasion.

Marex Media