MOSCOW – The people of Turkmenistan kicked off on Wednesday a month-long regime of starting every day with a bit of exercise, following the order of the president of the former Soviet republic, Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov.

All places of business and educational institutions in the Central Asian country began the day with a workout, reported Russian news agency RIA Novosti from the Turkmenistan capital, Ashgabat.

For the month of April, the national “Month of Health and Happiness,” the country is planning to hold several community competitions, exhibitions and open tournaments in various sports.

Lectures on physical education and on the benefits of exercise will also take place.

The initiative aims to popularize healthy lifestyles and encourage regular exercise for the more than five million people living in Turkmenistan, a secular state with a Muslim majority.

This is the second consecutive year that Turkmenistan is observing the “Month of Health and Happiness.”

Physical fitness and health has been elevated to a national priority by the authorities of Turkmenistan, whose capital in 2017 will host the fifth Asian Indoor Games and Martial Arts.