It was both an impressive and moving moment to be able to help organise International Yoga Day 2026 at the German Bundestag. At the invitation of Henri Schmidt, Member of the Bundestag, and with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of India in Berlin, an event was held for the first time to introduce yoga and meditation to a wide audience from the worlds of politics, diplomacy and civil society at the German Bundestag.
Special thanks go to Mr Rakesh Veauli, President of the Indian Diaspora, who initiated and organised this event together with the Indian Embassy, thereby making an important contribution to cultural exchange between India and Germany.
The variety of approaches to yoga that were conveyed in such a short space of time was impressive:
- Dr Rajesh Mishra demonstrated, through chair yoga, how yoga can be practised simply and is accessible to everyone.
- Sanjay També presented the SOM yoga and meditation programme and invited the participants to share an experience of meditation, AUM and inner balance.
- Volker Bretz provided an overview of the development and significance of yoga in Germany.
It became clear to everyone that yoga is much more than just physical exercise. It is a path to health, mindfulness, concentration and inner balance – values that are more relevant than ever in today’s world.
Another highlight was the welcoming address by His Excellency Ajit Gupte, Ambassador of the Republic of India to Germany. He reminded us that yoga is a valuable part of India’s cultural heritage and, at the same time, conveys a universal message of peace, health and connectedness.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to the German Bundestag for its warm welcome and hospitality, and to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Berlin for its ongoing support of International Yoga Day and German-Indian exchanges.
May this special day help to inspire even more people with the timeless values of yoga and build bridges between cultures, people and generations.
Sanjay També, 8 July 2026
