Why yoga is more than exercise: Instructors explain benefits and safety tips

Yoga instructors at the 12th International Day of Yoga celebration in Accra have called for safer practice, professional guidance and greater awareness of yoga’s mental health benefits, warning against self-instruction without supervision.

Speaking on the sidelines of the event, instructors Rachel Chaban and Kafui Kofi Adjei emphasised that yoga should be approached with care, particularly by beginners.

Kafui Adjei cautioned practitioners against forcing the body into difficult positions, stressing the importance of proper instruction to avoid injuries.

“You definitely need to know how to do the poses properly… don’t force yourself into a pose,” he said. “Once you do that, then you increase the chances of getting an injury.”

He encouraged beginners to seek certified instructors, adding that professional guidance helps practitioners progress safely.

“You should learn or practice with someone who knows what they are doing… certified professionals can guide you through,” he said.

Rachel Chaban focused on the mental health benefits of yoga, describing it as a grounding practice in a fast-paced and increasingly stressful world.

“It is a very spiritual and grounding experience… it brings you back to yourself,” she said.

She added that yoga helps regulate emotions and calm the nervous system.

“We live in a world where everything is very fast paced… when you practice yoga, it calms down your nervous system and it just centres you back,” she explained.

Both instructors highlighted beginner-friendly poses such as Warrior One, plank, downward dog and high lunges, while encouraging gradual progression based on individual ability.

They also clarified a common misconception that yoga is strictly religious, noting that it is a spiritual practice adopted across different cultures and belief systems.

The International Day of Yoga was first declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014, following a proposal by India. The day is observed globally every year on June 21 to raise awareness of the benefits of yoga for physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing.

Since its adoption, the celebration has grown into a worldwide movement, with millions participating in yoga sessions across cities, schools and public spaces.

In Ghana, the High Commission of India has used the occasion to expand outreach programmes, promote wellness education and strengthen cultural ties between the two countries.