Pawan Kalyan on Yoga Day: 'Yoga gave me clarity and inner maturity'
Synopsis
Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan used International Yoga Day to share something rarely glimpsed — a candid account of how Kriya Yoga and Sudarshan Kriya steadied him during a turbulent personal search. The disclosure, posted on X, adds a rare introspective dimension to a politician better known for his mass-hero image.
Key Takeaways
Pawan Kalyan , Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister, shared his personal yoga journey on International Yoga Day, 21 June .
He credited Kriya Yoga , Ashtanga Yoga , and the Art of Living's Sudarshan Kriya as daily practices that shaped his clarity and maturity.
Kalyan praised PM Narendra Modi for securing global recognition for yoga and establishing 21 June as International Yoga Day .
State Home Minister V.
Anitha led the 12th International Yoga Day event in Visakhapatnam at Sagarika Function Hall on Beach Road.
Senior state and civic officials, yoga associations, and the public participated in the Visakhapatnam celebrations.
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Sunday, 21 June reflected on his decades-long relationship with yoga, saying the practice gave him 'a deeper sense of clarity and inner maturity' that profoundly shaped his personal and professional journey. The Jana Sena Party leader shared his thoughts on the occasion of International Yoga Day via a post on social media platform X.
Pawan Kalyan's Personal Yoga Journey
The actor-turned-politician revealed that he took up yoga at a young age, during a period of personal searching. 'At a time when my mind was filled with many questions, yoga gave me not just answers, but a deeper sense of clarity and inner maturity that profoundly shaped my journey,' he said in his post.
Kalyan added that specific disciplines continue to anchor his daily routine. 'Practices such as Kriya Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga and the Art of Living's Sudarshan Kriya continue to remain an integral part of my daily life,' he noted.
On Yoga as a Civilisational Legacy
'Yoga is an integral part of Bharat's civilisational ethos and a timeless gift that Bharat has offered to the world. It promotes physical well-being, mental clarity, inner balance, and a healthier way of life,' Kalyan wrote. He urged everyone to 'embrace yoga as a way of life and make it a part of their daily routine.'
The Deputy Chief Minister also extended his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his 'visionary efforts in securing global recognition for yoga' and for leading the initiative to have 21 June observed worldwide as International Yoga Day.
Visakhapatnam Marks 12th International Yoga Day
In Visakhapatnam, the 12th International Yoga Day was marked with a public event at Sagarika Function Hall on Beach Road. State Home Minister V. Anitha participated alongside Legislative Whip Ganababu and Gajuwaka MLA Palla Srinivasa Rao, performing yoga asanas at the gathering.
Senior officials in attendance included Visakhapatnam District Collector M. Abhishikth Kishore, Police Commissioner Shankhabrata Bagchi, Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) Commissioner Kethan Garg, Joint Collector Gobbilla Vidyadhari, and Andhra Pradesh University Vice-Chancellor G.P. Rajasekhar. Representatives from the Yoga Association, various civic bodies, and members of the public also took part.
What's Next
As yoga events conclude across Andhra Pradesh, the state government's visible participation — from the Deputy Chief Minister down to district officials — signals a continued institutional push to mainstream yoga as a public health and cultural initiative in the years ahead.
Point of View
Projecting inner steadiness carries a deliberate signal. The institutional turnout in Visakhapatnam — from the District Collector to the GVMC Commissioner — also reflects how International Yoga Day has evolved from a cultural moment into a full-scale government mobilisation exercise, raising questions about where civic participation ends and optics begin.
NationPress
21 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Pawan Kalyan say about yoga on International Yoga Day?
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan said yoga gave him 'a deeper sense of clarity and inner maturity' that profoundly shaped his journey. He shared this on social media platform X on 21 June, International Yoga Day, revealing that he began practising yoga at a young age during a period of personal questioning.
Which yoga practices does Pawan Kalyan follow?
Pawan Kalyan said Kriya Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, and the Art of Living's Sudarshan Kriya are an integral part of his daily life. He described these not as occasional pursuits but as sustained disciplines he has maintained over the years.
How did Andhra Pradesh mark the 12th International Yoga Day?
The 12th International Yoga Day was observed in Visakhapatnam with an event at Sagarika Function Hall on Beach Road. State Home Minister V. Anitha, Legislative Whip Ganababu, Gajuwaka MLA Palla Srinivasa Rao, and senior district and civic officials participated alongside members of the public and yoga associations.
Why did Pawan Kalyan thank PM Modi on Yoga Day?
Pawan Kalyan credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his 'visionary efforts in securing global recognition for yoga' and for leading the initiative to have 21 June observed worldwide as International Yoga Day. The United Nations designated 21 June as International Yoga Day in 2014 following India's proposal.
Where was the main Yoga Day event held in Andhra Pradesh?
A prominent state-level event was held in Visakhapatnam at Sagarika Function Hall on Beach Road. It was attended by senior officials including the District Collector, Police Commissioner, GVMC Commissioner, and the Vice-Chancellor of Andhra Pradesh University.
