Home > Topics > International Day Of Yoga

International Day of Yoga

June 21 was recognised as the International Day of Yoga by the United Nations in 2014. It all started on September 27 three years ago when Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested that June 21, the Longest Day of the Year in the Northern Hemisphere, should be made the International Day of Yoga. In his address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Narendra Modi said: “Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition. It 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. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help in well being. Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day.” History of International Yoga Day: How PM Narendra Modi started journey of the spiritual practice from the United Nations!

FROM A PROPOSAL TO AN INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED DAY

It was just a proposal but the UNGA considered the initiation of the spiritual practice around the world and decided to bestow it with the significance it deserves in the form of the International Yoga Day. In the initial stage before June 21 was recognised as the International Yoga Day, informal consultations on the draft resolution entitled “International Day of Yoga” was held on October 14, 2014. Two months later, on December 11, India’s Permanent Representative Asoke Mukherji introduced the draft resolution in UNGA. The draft received the support from 177 Member States who sponsored the text, which was adopted without a vote. While this initiative found support in many global leaders, 177 nations co-sponsored the resolution, the highest number of co-sponsors ever for any UNGA resolution of such nature.

WHY UNITED NATIONS ADOPTED IT

(a) Noting the importance of individuals and populations making healthier choices and following lifestyle patterns that foster good health.

(b) Underscoring the fact that global health is a long-term development objective that requires closer international cooperation through the exchange of best practices aimed at building better individual lifestyles devoid of excesses of all kinds.

(d) Recognizing also that wider dissemination of information about the benefits of practicing yoga would be beneficial for the health of the world population.

WHY JUNE 21

One of the reasons why Narendra Modi proposed the day of June 21 as International Yoga Day is because it is the longest day in a year. June 21, as the longest day, holds significance in may parts of the world.

From the perspective of yoga, the summer solstice marks the transition to Dakshinayana. Dakshinayana is the six-month period between the Summer solstice and Winter solstice. The first full moon after the Summer solstice is known as Guru Poornima. Dakshinayana is also considered a time when there is a natural support for those pursuing spiritual practices such as Yoga.

Lord Shiva is said to have begun imparting the knowledge of yoga to the mankind on this day. What is Yoga, its history, relevance and how International Yoga Day came into being.

The United Nations declared June 21 as the International Yoga Day on December 11, 2014. The first International Yoga Day function held on June 21, 2015, at Rajpath in the national capital witnessed Narendra Modi performing Yoga along with over 200 million people across the country and over 37,000 people in Delhi alone. The second edition was held in Chandigarh with the participation of over 30,000 people in the presence of the Prime Minister.

Text by Chanchal Chauhan.

Yoga Day Images: Hilarious memes of politicians performing asanas on International Yoga Day 2017
Aadil Ikram Zaki Iqbal | June 21, 2017 3:24 PM IST
New Delhi, June 21: Leading the celebrations of the third edition of the International Yoga Day, Pri...
Yoga Day Images: Hilarious memes of politicians performing asanas on International Yoga Day 2017
indiacom
2017-06-21T04:24:30+00:00
2017-06-21T04:32:33+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
International Yoga Day 2017 highlights: How the day was celebrated across the world
Pragati Ratti Sharma | June 21, 2017 5:05 AM IST
Wed, 21 Jun 2017 11:15:42 amOn the occasion of International Yoga Day, Congress party workers protes...
International Yoga Day 2017 highlights: How the day was celebrated across the world
indiacom
2017-06-20T18:05:16+00:00
2017-06-21T03:02:52+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
International Yoga Day 2017 celebrated across the world, PM Modi, thousands perform Yoga in Lucknow
Pragati Ratti Sharma | June 21, 2017 1:25 PM IST
New Delhi, June 21: Millions on Wednesday performed Yoga early in the morning as the world celebrate...
International Yoga Day 2017 celebrated across the world, PM Modi, thousands perform Yoga in Lucknow
indiacom
2017-06-21T02:25:27+00:00
2017-06-21T02:48:31+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
International Yoga Day 2017: Suryanamaskar and its benefits; Watch Video Tutorial
Pragati Ratti Sharma | June 21, 2017 11:26 AM IST
New Delhi, June 21: The world is celebrating the 3rd International Yoga Day today, June 21. Prime Mi...
International Yoga Day 2017: Suryanamaskar and its benefits; Watch Video Tutorial
indiacom
2017-06-21T00:26:27+00:00
2017-06-21T00:26:27+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
International Yoga Day 2017: PM Narendra Modi Performing Yoga in Lucknow Telecast at Doordarshan
Aadil Ikram Zaki Iqbal | June 21, 2017 5:00 AM IST
New Delhi, June 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead a crow of 51,000 in doing yoga in Lucknow...
International Yoga Day 2017: PM Narendra Modi Performing Yoga in Lucknow Telecast at Doordarshan
indiacom
2017-06-20T18:00:51+00:00
2017-06-21T00:23:19+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
What is Yoga, its history, relevance and how International Yoga Day came into being
Pragati Ratti Sharma | June 21, 2017 9:37 AM IST
New Delhi, June 21: The world is celebrating the third International Yoga Day today. Prime Minister ...
What is Yoga, its history, relevance and how International Yoga Day came into being
indiacom
2017-06-20T22:37:32+00:00
2017-06-20T22:37:32+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
3rd International Yoga Day: PM Modi, UP CM Yogi to perform Yoga in Lucknow; 180 countries set to celebrate
Ravi Kaushal | June 20, 2017 11:32 PM IST
New Delhi, June 21: Embracing the mantra for a healthy life through Yoga, citizens of more than 180 ...
3rd International Yoga Day: PM Modi, UP CM Yogi to perform Yoga in Lucknow; 180 countries set to celebrate
indiacom
2017-06-20T12:32:48+00:00
2017-06-20T15:14:29+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
International Yoga Day 2017 Schedule: Time of all Events, Where to Watch Live Streaming & Telecast of PM Narendra Modi Performing Yoga in Lucknow
Aadil Ikram Zaki Iqbal | June 20, 2017 5:00 PM IST
New Delhi, June 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Lucknow tomorrow to celebrate the Intern...
International Yoga Day 2017 Schedule: Time of all Events, Where to Watch Live Streaming & Telecast of PM Nare
indiacom
2017-06-20T06:00:39+00:00
2017-06-20T06:00:39+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
International Yoga Day 2017: Marjari Asana or Cat pose; Watch Video Tutorial
Pragati Ratti Sharma | June 20, 2017 12:14 PM IST
New Delhi, June 20: It is just a day to go for the International Yoga Day 2017. Preparations are on ...
International Yoga Day 2017: Marjari Asana or Cat pose; Watch Video Tutorial
indiacom
2017-06-20T01:14:47+00:00
2017-06-20T01:14:47+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
International Yoga Day 2017: Traffic Advisory issued by Delhi Traffic Police, event schedule, participants
Pragati Ratti Sharma | June 20, 2017 9:07 AM IST
New Delhi, June 20: With just a day to go for the International Day of Yoga 2017, the Delhi Traffic ...
International Yoga Day 2017: Traffic Advisory issued by Delhi Traffic Police, event schedule, participants
indiacom
2017-06-19T22:07:46+00:00
2017-06-19T22:07:46+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
International Yoga Day 2017: Vriksha Asana or Tree Pose; Watch Video Tutorial
Pragati Ratti Sharma | June 19, 2017 11:03 AM IST
New Delhi, June 19: It's just two days to go for the International Yoga Day 2017 and we hope that yo...
International Yoga Day 2017: Vriksha Asana or Tree Pose; Watch Video Tutorial
indiacom
2017-06-19T00:03:53+00:00
2017-06-19T00:03:53+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
International Day of Yoga 2017 event in Lucknow: Tight security, 400 CCTV cameras, entry to begin at 2 am; All you need to know
Pragati Ratti Sharma | June 19, 2017 9:43 AM IST
Lucknow, June 19: Preparations are on for the International Day of Yoga 2017 celebration in Lucknow ...
International Day of Yoga 2017 event in Lucknow: Tight security, 400 CCTV cameras, entry to begin at 2 am; Al
indiacom
2017-06-18T22:43:12+00:00
2017-06-18T22:43:12+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
International Yoga Day 2017: Supta Vajrasana and its benefits; Watch Video Tutorial
Pragati Ratti Sharma | June 18, 2017 4:08 PM IST
New Delhi, June 18: The final countdown is on for the International Yoga Day 2017. People in differe...
International Yoga Day 2017: Supta Vajrasana and its benefits; Watch Video Tutorial
indiacom
2017-06-18T05:08:35+00:00
2017-06-18T05:08:35+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
International Yoga Day 2017: Farmers to carry out yoga protest on highways on June 21
Pragati Ratti Sharma | June 16, 2017 1:22 PM IST
New Delhi, June 16: Taking cue from the farmers of of Tamil Nadu, the farmers across the country hav...
International Yoga Day 2017: Farmers to carry out yoga protest on highways on June 21
indiacom
2017-06-16T02:22:40+00:00
2017-06-16T02:22:40+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
International Yoga Day 2017: Dhanur asana or bow pose; Watch Video Tutorial
Pragati Ratti Sharma | June 16, 2017 12:35 PM IST
New Delhi, June 16: It is just about five days to go for the International Day of Yoga 2017. While P...
International Yoga Day 2017: Dhanur asana or bow pose; Watch Video Tutorial
indiacom
2017-06-16T01:35:01+00:00
2017-06-16T01:35:01+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
International Yoga Day 2017: Sarvang asana or shoulder stand pose; Video Tutorial
Pragati Ratti Sharma | June 15, 2017 12:33 PM IST
New Delhi, June 15: It is just about six days to go for the International Day of Yoga 2017 on June 2...
International Yoga Day 2017: Sarvang asana or shoulder stand pose; Video Tutorial
indiacom
2017-06-15T01:33:26+00:00
2017-06-15T03:01:45+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
International Yoga Day 2017: Ushtra asana and its benefits; Watch Video Tutorial
Pragati Ratti Sharma | June 14, 2017 2:18 PM IST
New Delhi, June 14: Preparations are on for the third International Day of Yoga 2017 on June 21. Pla...
International Yoga Day 2017: Ushtra asana and its benefits; Watch Video Tutorial
indiacom
2017-06-14T03:18:33+00:00
2017-06-14T04:28:48+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
International Yoga Day 2017: Chakrasana and its benefits; Watch Video Tutorial
Pragati Ratti Sharma | June 13, 2017 10:36 AM IST
New Delhi, June 13: The International Yoga Day 2017 is just around the corner. From Prime Minister N...
International Yoga Day 2017: Chakrasana and its benefits; Watch Video Tutorial
indiacom
2017-06-12T23:36:54+00:00
2017-06-14T02:40:17+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
International Yoga Day 2017: One who practises Yoga will be number 1 in all fields, says Baba Ramdev
Pragati Ratti Sharma | June 14, 2017 12:41 PM IST
New Delhi, June 14: With just a few days to go for the International Yoga Day 2017 on June 21, the g...
International Yoga Day 2017: One who practises Yoga will be number 1 in all fields, says Baba Ramdev
indiacom
2017-06-14T01:41:59+00:00
2017-06-14T01:41:59+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
International Yoga Day 2017: Vinyasa Yoga and its benefits; Watch Video Tutorial
Pragati Ratti Sharma | June 12, 2017 2:18 PM IST
New Delhi, June 12: We are less than 10 days away from the International Yoga Day 2017 on June 21. I...
International Yoga Day 2017: Vinyasa Yoga and its benefits; Watch Video Tutorial
indiacom
2017-06-12T03:18:54+00:00
2017-06-12T03:18:54+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com