International Yoga Day is celebrated on 21st June every year, since its inception in 2015. Yoga is an ancient practice of aligning mind, body and soul. Originated in India, the word Yoga is derived from a Sanskrit word Yuj, which means to join or to unite. Thus, Yoga symbolizes the union of body and consciousness. International Day of Yoga promotes and celebrates global health through practice of yoga.
Yoga is one of the greatest contributions of ancient Indian culture to the world.
International Day of Yoga, also known as Yoga Day or International Yoga Day, is celebrated on June 21 every year. On 27th September 2014, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi in his first address to the 69th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), formally proposed the idea of International Day of Yoga at the UN. Recognizing the universal appeal and several benefits associated to yoga, an International Day for Yoga was declared unanimously by the UNGA, by resolution 69/131.
However, the date of 21st June, one of the two solstice was suggested by the Prime Minister of India. As June 21st is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, it also shares a special significance in many parts of the world.
Goal of International Yoga Day
- Raising awareness about yoga among people world-wide.
- Making people aware of the wonderful benefits of practicing yoga.
- An effort to connect people with themselves and with the nature.
- Reducing the rate of challenging diseases worldwide through yoga.
- Spreading the development and peace all over the world through yoga.
- Helping people relieve stress through yoga and living peaceful life.
Yoga – How it Works
Yoga is an ancient practice bestows therapeutic and spiritual benefits. Actually, Yoga is not mere exercise, it is a way of life! As Mr. Modi in his speech at UN focused on Yoga and its benefits had stated, “Yoga embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being.”
For few yoga maybe about bending or stretching the body and holding the breath, but it is not just that, in fact, Yoga is a mechanism which not only brings harmony in the body, mind, breath, and soul, but also heal them all together. Moreover, it allows one to be more flexible along with that it also promotes relaxation even in the most stressful of times.
Yoga according to scriptures
The ancient yogic text, Patanjali Yoga Sutras explains yoga asanas as “Sthiram Sukham Asanam,”. It means that Asana is that which effortlessly brings steadiness, stability and Joy. Practice of yoga poses does not put any load on our respiratory and cardiac systems, unlike other exercises.
The sole purpose of yoga is to induce peace and sense of well-being in one’s life.
Benefits of Yoga
Here are some of the benefits of doing Yoga daily:
- Yoga Improves health
- It Promotes Weight Loss
- Provides Mental Strength
- Improves Physical Strength
- Detoxifies Our Body
- Improves Balance, thereby preventing falls
- Increases Stamina
- Improves Body Alignment
- Reduces Stress
- Makes You Aware of Yourself
- Promotes Better Sleep
- Improvise Self Confidence
- Helps to Build Healthy Relationships
- Relaxes Body, Mind, and Soul.
2015 – The First International Yoga Day
The first International Yoga Day was celebrated on June 21st, 2015 with great zeal and enthusiasm in various parts of the world. It was a special day for the Nation, as the art which has its roots in our nation got International recognition which is a matter of great pride for all of us.
The day was celebrated on a large scale throughout the world. In India, the event was organized at Rajpath, Delhi. The Hon’ble PM Mr. Modi himself inaugurated the event. Also, many notable people from as many as 84 nations were in attendance at the event. Besides, general public also gathered in large numbers for celebrating the first-ever International Yoga Day.
Guinness World Records
The day was Sunday and hence as many as people in and around the city could participate in the event, thereby making it the biggest event of its kind in the world. During a mass yoga session, yoga enthusiasts performed 21 yoga postures . They were trained and guided by various yoga instructors to perform the Asanas. The event established two Guinness world. They were for the largest yoga class, of 35,985 people, and for the largest number of participating nationalities (84 nations).
The very same day NCC cadets also entered the “Limca Book of Records” for the yoga performance by single uniformed youth organization, in large number.
Not only 21st June is the longest day, but also it is the hottest day as well. Still the heat and the large participation of people couldn’t hamper their enthusiasm and happiness they had for the day.
The International Yoga Day – Celebrated Worldwide
Yes, it is no less than a celebration for all of us! It is a unique way to celebrate life. The International day of yoga is supported by various global leaders. It is celebrated by the people of more than 170 countries including Canada, China, Japan, USA etc. The day is celebrated internationally by organizing activities like yoga competitions, yoga training campus, and so on so forth in order to spread the awareness about yoga benefits among common people all over the world. The goal is to create awareness of the mental, physical and intellectual health benefits, thereby positively impacting our life.
On the 4th International Yoga Day in the year 2018, Kota, Rajasthan created a world record by gathering over a lakh of people at a yoga session.
To Conclude…
International Yoga Day is a matter of great pride for all of us, as the art which has always been veiled, is now accepted and gaining popularity worldwide. India has always been a land of several such treasures and we are glad to have shared one of the best with the world.