Yoga in China

Yoga was first popularised in China during the 1980s, through the famous television program by Miss Wai Lana (Zhang Huilan) on China Central Television (CCTV). “Namaste” music video by Miss Wai Lana was broadcast at the United Nations on 21st June 2015. She received the prestigious Padma Shri Award in 2016. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a step forward in developing the India-China cultural relations furthermore by introducing Yoga as one of the most popular sports in China.
On June 12th,2015, China’s first yoga college, “India-China Yoga College” (ICYC) was inaugurated at Yunnan Minzu University in Kunming. It was established in accordance with one of 24 agreements reached between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The three-year program offers students yoga courses in both countries. Asana (poses), pranayama (breathing), physiology, and yoga therapy are included in postgraduate study. Sanskrit, Hindi, and Indian cultures are also in the curriculum.