Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday described yoga as the biggest healthcare treatment that comes at zero cost, highlighting its role in promoting healthy lifestyles and preventive healthcare.Addressing the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Prashanti Kutiram in Bengaluru, Karnataka, Modi said yoga could play an important role in making healthy living a priority for every family.He noted that yoga can help people overcome diseases and adopt healthier lifestyles."I always say that yoga helps free us from diseases, and yoga also frees us from indulgences. Not only that, it is the biggest healthcare treatment with zero cost and zero budget," he said.Citing a recent World Bank report, the Prime Minister said nearly 50 crore Indians had come out of extreme poverty over the past 12–13 years."Now, these millions of families have new opportunities for a better life. Their possibilities of adopting healthy lifestyles and paying attention to their family's health have increased," he said.He added that the government's effort was to make a healthy lifestyle a priority for every household, with yoga playing an important role in achieving this.Yoga's Global Reach Has Expanded, Says PMThe Prime Minister also spoke about yoga's growing international recognition, noting that it has become a way for people around the world to understand India's culture and traditional knowledge.He said International Yoga Day is now celebrated across the world, with programmes held in countries ranging from Australia and African nations to the United States.He cited Saudi Arabia's recognition of yoga as a sporting activity and an agreement between its Ministry of Sports and India's Ministry of AYUSH to promote the practice.Modi also said yoga has reached schools, institutions and workplaces in several countries. He shared that during his international visits, conversations with foreign leaders and guests frequently turn to yoga, with many sharing how their family members practise it.The Prime Minister said the government has taken several steps to promote yoga and Ayurveda, including recognising yoga asana as a competitive sport in India. Yoga asana has also found a place in sporting events such as Khelo India and the National Games.Yoga's Role In Preventive HealthcareYoga is an ancient Indian art and science of living that has been instrumental in changing people's lives by offering a path to peace and fitness.The term yoga comes from the Sanskrit word yuj, which means to join or unite. The practice has also become a way of connecting Indian culture with other cultures.Yoga has been accepted in more than 190 countries, reflecting its universal relevance beyond geography, language and culture.Amid rising non-communicable diseases, stress-related illnesses and mental health disorders, yoga is expected to play a greater role in promoting preventive healthcare, mental wellness and holistic living.What Does Research Say About Yoga's Health Benefits?Research has shown that yoga may offer benefits beyond improving flexibility and relieving stress. These benefits range from heart health to boosting tobacco cessation to improving unexplained male infertility to autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia.A recent study presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2026 suggested that yoga-based cardiac rehabilitation can improve quality of life and physical functioning in people living with heart failure.Researchers led by the Centre for Chronic Disease Control in India found that a structured yoga-based rehabilitation programme improved quality of life in people with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), compared with enhanced standard care. However, it did not significantly reduce the combined risk of death, hospitalisation or stroke.