In a remarkable move to promote holistic wellness, the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh is set to break its own record on International Yoga Day (June 21). After setting an impressive milestone last year by entering the Asia Book of Records with 1,924 healthcare workers participating in a single yoga session, the institute is now targeting 3,000 participants for 2025.
Professor Akshay Anand, from the Department of Neurology and head of the Collaborative Centre for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy (CCRYN), said preparations are in full swing. The effort involves coordination across the Tricity, including government and private hospitals, and active support from the Indian Medical Association (IMA).
Beyond the symbolic celebrations, PGIMER’s interest in yoga is deeply rooted in science. The institute, in partnership with CCRYN New Delhi, operates the Collaborative Centre for Mind-Body Interventions, which conducts research into how yoga impacts both physical and mental health.
Similar scientific studies are also underway at AIIMS Delhi, highlighting yoga’s potential in managing conditions such as arthritis, PCOD, and lower back pain. Medical experts note that regular yoga practice can lead to tangible improvements in overall well-being.
Recognising the mental toll hospital environments can have, PGIMER has also extended yoga support to attendants of patients. “Hospital visits often involve stress, long waiting hours, and emotional strain. We’ve launched bi-weekly yoga sessions on campus to help attendants manage anxiety and find emotional relief,” said a yoga trainer at the institute.
As International Yoga Day approaches, PGIMER’s initiative stands out as a model of integrating traditional wellness practices with modern medical care—proving that healing goes beyond medication.
