8 Varanasi blocks to host yoga camps ahead of Jun 21 celebrations

Varanasi: Ahead of the 12th International Yoga Day on June 21, the Uttar Pradesh govt has launched an extensive outreach campaign in rural Varanasi, with three-day yoga training camps to be held across all eight development blocks from June 12 to 14. The camps will focus on training participants in the Common Yoga Protocol and promoting this year’s theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing.”

The district administration has intensified preparations for the global event, aiming to maximise public participation and spread awareness about the health benefits of yoga, particularly among rural youth and senior citizens.

Chief development officer Prakhar Kumar Singh said the govt has drawn up a framework for organising block-level yoga camps to ensure wider propagation of yoga in villages. Trained instructors will conduct sessions in all eight development blocks—Harhua, Kashi Vidyapith, Araji Line, Chiraigaon, Baragaon, Cholapur, Sevapuri and Pindra.

According to Singh, each block will have one male and one female yoga instructor to train villagers in yoga practices and the Common Yoga Protocol ahead of the main International Yoga Day event.

Regional Ayurveda and Unani Officer Dr Arvind Kumar said the training sessions will be conducted daily from 7 am between June 12 and 14. Block Development Officers have been directed to ensure comprehensive training in the Common Yoga Protocol for all participants.

Officials said the campaign is aimed at encouraging healthy lifestyles and creating awareness about yoga as a tool for healthy ageing, in line with this year’s International Yoga Day theme.