On 5th June 2025, Swasti Yoga Center successfully celebrated Harit Yoga, a unique event dedicated to World Environment Day. Held at the serene Ghoradeshwar Temple in Dehu, Pune, this celebration brought together yoga, service, and sustainability in a way that reflected the true meaning of yogic living.
The event ran from 6:00 AM to 8:30 AM and saw active participation from students, teachers, yoga enthusiasts, and nature lovers. It was Swasti Yoga Center’s tribute to nature and a call to action inspired by the theme of International Day of Yoga 2025 — Yoga for One Earth One Health.
You may like to read: International Yoga Day: 21st June 2025
Tree Plantation Drive in Honour of Students
The heart of the celebration was a dedicated tree plantation drive. Swasti Yoga Center proudly supported the national campaign led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi titled Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam.
In a beautiful gesture, the center planted one tree in the name of every student who had cleared the Yoga Certification Board (YCB) exam. This brought the total to 100 trees planted. The effort was more than symbolic. It became a personal celebration for each student whose hard work and success were now rooted in the soil.
All YCB-certified students were personally invited to attend and, if possible, plant their tree. Several students joined the event and planted their saplings with pride and gratitude. For those who could not attend, Swasti Yoga Center ensured that a tree was planted in their name.
This act brought together growth in yoga education with a tangible contribution to the environment.
Plastic Clean-Up Drive on the Mountain
After the tree plantation, participants joined hands for a plastic waste clean-up on the Ghoradeshwar mountain. This community-led initiative focused on collecting and removing plastic waste left behind by visitors.
Volunteers spread out across the area, picking up wrappers, bottles, and non-biodegradable items. The activity was quiet, disciplined, and filled with a sense of shared responsibility. It served as a powerful reminder that small efforts can make a large impact, especially when done with sincerity.
This clean-up not only improved the beauty of the area but also encouraged participants to reflect on their role in environmental care.
Environmental Pledge Inspired by Yogic Values
Before the event concluded, everyone gathered to take an environmental pledge. Inspired by the principles of yoga, the pledge focused on adopting an eco-conscious lifestyle.
Participants promised to reduce waste, say no to plastic, conserve natural resources, and live with greater awareness of their impact on the planet. The pledge was not just words. It was an extension of the values of Ahimsa (non-violence) and Aparigraha (non-possessiveness) — reminding everyone to live in harmony with the Earth.
The group stood united in spirit and commitment, reinforcing the idea that yoga is not just what happens on the mat, but in everyday choices.
Satvik Snacks with a Green Twist
After the pledge, participants enjoyed simple satvik refreshments. Staying true to the spirit of the event, Swasti Yoga Center requested everyone to bring their steel plate and glasses, eliminating the need for disposables.
This thoughtful approach made the meal experience more meaningful. It created a sense of community and reinforced the importance of mindful living. Everyone wore their Swasti Yoga T-shirts, adding to the spirit of unity and shared purpose.
The snacks were light, wholesome, and aligned with the yogic approach to food, nourishing the body without harming the environment.
Why Harit Yoga Mattered?
Harit Yoga was not just another yoga gathering. It reflected the deeper truth that yoga is a lifestyle aligned with nature.
As yoga instructors and students, the responsibility goes beyond teaching or practicing poses. There is a need to lead by example, to live a life that promotes both inner peace and external care.
The health of the planet is directly linked to our well-being. By planting trees, cleaning up nature, and making eco-friendly choices, the participants practiced yoga in its most complete form.
Harit Yoga became a reminder that true yoga includes service, mindfulness, and compassion toward the Earth.
A Call to Conscious Action
Whether one was a certified yoga teacher, a student, or simply someone who cares for the planet, Harit Yoga offered a space to act with purpose.
The event encouraged everyone to bring their yoga into daily life, not just as a routine, but as a way of thinking and being. Through this gathering, Swasti Yoga Center gave a clear message that environmental care is spiritual care.
It was a chance to reconnect with nature, celebrate yoga with intention, and be part of a change that begins with the self.
Swasti Yoga Center extends heartfelt gratitude to every individual who attended, contributed, and supported this beautiful initiative. Harit Yoga was not a one-time activity. It was a seed planted in the minds and hearts of all who participated.
Let us carry this spirit forward — for one Earth, one health, and one shared future.
