Yoga At 20,000 Feet: Indian Army Soldiers Mark International Yoga Day at Siachen
The Indian Army marked the International Day of Yoga by conducting yoga sessions at the Siachen Glacier, including at the base camp and forward posts, braving sub-zero temperatures and one of the harshest terrains on the planet.
According to the Indian Army, troops participated in the yoga practice early Friday morning as part of coordinated celebrations held nationwide during this weekend.
The sessions at Siachen, the highest battlefield in the world, were carried out despite extreme weather conditions and high-altitude challenges, reinforcing yoga’s relevance in maintaining resilience and endurance among soldiers.
Visuals shared by the Army on official virtual communication platforms showed personnel performing Hatha Yoga asana-s against the snow-covered backdrop of Siachen, which is located at an altitude of over 20,000 feet. During the winter, the lowest temperature reaches -50°C.
Yoga practice is integrated into the Indian Army’s routine training and wellness programs, particularly for troops deployed in high-stress, high-altitude environments.
The International Day of Yoga aims to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practising yoga
The International Day of Yoga is observed annually on June 21 following a United Nations resolution adopted in 2014. This year’s global theme, Yoga for One Earth, One Health emphasises personal wellness and collective harmony.
The idea for International Yoga Day was proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the opening address of the 69th session of the UN General Assembly on September 27, 2014.
“Yoga is an invaluable gift from our ancient tradition. Yoga embodies unity of consciousness and body, thought and action – a holistic approach [that] is valuable to our health and our well-being. Yoga is not just about exercise; it is a way to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature,” PM Modi said in his address at the time.
Subsequently, on December 11, 2014, the UN proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga by resolution 69/131, with a record 175 member states endorsing it.
On this day, all over the planet people gather in great numbers to practice yoga together.
yogaesoteric
June 21, 2025