Bhaktapur, June 21: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has said that Nepal is a beautiful country from the nature perspective for practicing Yoga for the people around the world.    

Addressing a programme marking the International Day of Yoga here today, he expressed the belief that Nepal could be the main destination for researchers and academics throughout the world who are studying the knowledge and science related to yoga.    

Stating that yoga is not only to do with physical exercise, but it also is about a scientific lifestyle and living system to be adopted, remaining in certain rules, procedures and process, the Prime Minister said yoga helps make an individual physically, mentally and spiritually strong, and to lead a healthy life.     

"Yoga is the best way to make the body healthy and agile, and the mind pure and peaceful. A person can build strong health and become free from mental tension through regular practice of yoga. This also enhances a person's work performance and immune power, a positive mindset, self-discipline and inner energy," he said.    

Noting that yoga has a significant role to play in the development of a tension-free calm mind and a healthy body, PM Dahal said the regular practice of yoga and meditation can make important contribution to the prevention and cure of non-communicable diseases and in rehabilitation of health.   

"Nepal is a country having immense possibilities for Yoga tourism. Therefore, we should emphasize on globalization of yoga. I heartily appeal to the yoga activists and the yoga gurus to take planned initiatives towards this direction," he added.    

Reiterating that yoga is the general lifestyle and an invaluable asset of Nepal, Prime Minister Dahal expressed the confidence the proposed Yogmaya Ayurveda University would establish itself as a world-class university in future.