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.

Try These Yoga Apps at Home to Stay Fit During Lockdown
India.com Lifestyle Staff | June 21, 2020 4:08 PM IST
Yoga apps can help people, especially the middle-aged and the elderly, stay fit amid the Covid-19
Try These Yoga Apps at Home to Stay Fit During Lockdown
indiacom
2020-06-21T05:08:47+00:00
2020-06-21T05:08:47+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
UAE Follows Yoga Gurus on Facebook LIVE as International Day of Yoga Goes Digital
IANS | June 21, 2020 1:20 PM IST
Sixth International Day of Yoga saw yoga gurus hold sessions on Facebook LIVE in UAE, wearing face
UAE Follows Yoga Gurus on Facebook LIVE as International Day of Yoga Goes Digital
indiacom
2020-06-21T02:20:57+00:00
2020-06-21T02:20:57+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
Sadhguru's Message on International Yoga Day 2020: Simple Yoga Asanas Has Power to Liberate You, Enhance Your Immune System
India.com Entertainment Desk | June 21, 2020 11:24 AM IST
On this International Yoga Day 2020, Sadhguru Urges People to Practice Yoga And Teach Others Around
Sadhguru's Message on International Yoga Day 2020: Simple Yoga Asanas Has Power to Liberate You, Enhance Your
indiacom
2020-06-21T00:24:14+00:00
2020-06-21T01:28:51+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
International Yoga Day 2020: Celebrate The Day Virtually This Year And Share These Motivational Quotes With Friends And Family
India.com Lifestyle Staff | June 21, 2020 9:52 AM IST
To raise awareness about yoga and its endless benefits, you can share some motivational quotes
International Yoga Day 2020: Celebrate The Day Virtually This Year And Share These Motivational Quotes With F
indiacom
2020-06-20T22:52:28+00:00
2020-06-20T22:52:28+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
Gearing Up! Baba Ramdev Conducts 'Yoga Protocol Rehearsal' In Haridwar Ahead Of International Yoga Day
ANI | June 19, 2020 4:06 PM IST
The International Yoga Day this year is being observed on a large scale through the electronic and
Gearing Up! Baba Ramdev Conducts 'Yoga Protocol Rehearsal' In Haridwar Ahead Of International Yoga Day
indiacom
2020-06-19T05:06:57+00:00
2020-06-19T05:07:35+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
International Day of Yoga 2020: Strike These Yoga Poses to Fight Against COVID-19 Effectively
India.com Lifestyle Staff | June 18, 2020 2:55 PM IST
Here, we will tell you about a few yoga asanas that can help you build a strong resistance against
International Day of Yoga 2020: Strike These Yoga Poses to Fight Against COVID-19 Effectively
indiacom
2020-06-18T03:55:30+00:00
2020-06-18T03:55:30+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
International Day of Yoga 2020: A Brief History of This Spiritual Discipline And The Art of Living Healthy
India.com Lifestyle Staff | June 16, 2020 9:56 AM IST
Yoga is primarily a deeply spiritual way to improve your consciousness and understand that you are
International Day of Yoga 2020: A Brief History of This Spiritual Discipline And The Art of Living Healthy
indiacom
2020-06-15T22:56:23+00:00
2020-06-15T22:56:11+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
Yoga Day 2020: Leh to Host This Year's Main Event; 15,000 Participants Expected to Attend
India.com News Desk | March 11, 2020 11:27 PM IST
The International Day of Yoga, also known as International Yoga Day or simply Yoga Day, is
Yoga Day 2020: Leh to Host This Year's Main Event; 15,000 Participants Expected to Attend
indiacom
2020-03-11T12:27:20+00:00
2020-03-11T12:27:20+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
International Yoga Day 2019: Yoga Helped me in Being Present in The Moment, Says Suresh Raina
ANI | June 21, 2019 7:41 PM IST
Indian Cricketer Suresh Raina has said that there's nothing more important than being aware & being
International Yoga Day 2019: Yoga Helped me in Being Present in The Moment, Says Suresh Raina
indiacom
2019-06-21T08:41:56+00:00
2019-06-21T08:41:56+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
Is Yoga Safe For Everyone?
India.com Lifestyle Staff | June 21, 2019 6:50 PM IST
An expert tells why some people need to refrain from certain yoga asanas.
Is Yoga Safe For Everyone?
indiacom
2019-06-21T07:50:30+00:00
2019-06-21T07:53:46+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
International Day of Yoga: Health Experts Tell us The Yoga Asanas They Swear by
India.com Lifestyle Staff | June 21, 2019 3:03 PM IST
Here are the yoga asanas these health experts do regularly.
International Day of Yoga: Health Experts Tell us The Yoga Asanas They Swear by
indiacom
2019-06-21T04:03:17+00:00
2019-06-21T05:24:14+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
International Day of Yoga Day: 8 Common Misconceptions Associated With Yoga
India.com Lifestyle Staff | June 21, 2019 11:38 AM IST
Do you believe in these misconceptions about yoga?
International Day of Yoga Day: 8 Common Misconceptions Associated With Yoga
indiacom
2019-06-21T00:38:58+00:00
2019-06-21T00:43:11+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
International Day of Yoga: Metro Services on All Lines to Begin Early
PTI | June 20, 2019 11:56 PM IST
Trains will run with a frequency of 30 minutes till 6 am and normal services will resume
International Day of Yoga: Metro Services on All Lines to Begin Early
indiacom
2019-06-20T12:56:50+00:00
2019-06-20T12:56:50+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
International Day of Yoga: How Yoga Can Help Ease Your Period Cramps
India.com Lifestyle Staff | June 20, 2019 5:42 PM IST
If you suffer from painful period cramps, do these yoga asanas.
International Day of Yoga: How Yoga Can Help Ease Your Period Cramps
indiacom
2019-06-20T06:42:15+00:00
2019-06-20T06:42:15+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
International Day of Yoga: Incredible Health Benefits of Yoga
India.com Lifestyle Staff | June 20, 2019 11:48 AM IST
Do yoga every day!
International Day of Yoga: Incredible Health Benefits of Yoga
indiacom
2019-06-20T00:48:02+00:00
2019-06-20T00:48:02+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
International Day of Yoga: Bollywood Celebs Who Love Yoga
Upneet Pansare | June 20, 2019 10:39 AM IST
From Mouni Roy to Alia Bhatt, take some inspiration from our Bollywood celebs this International
International Day of Yoga: Bollywood Celebs Who Love Yoga
indiacom
2019-06-19T23:39:59+00:00
2019-06-19T23:53:13+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
Yoga Asanas to Beat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
India.com Lifestyle Staff | June 19, 2019 10:58 AM IST
Do you have pain in your wrists?
Yoga Asanas to Beat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
indiacom
2019-06-18T23:58:09+00:00
2019-06-19T00:01:14+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
Yoga Asanas to Help Build Strong Immunity
India.com Lifestyle Staff | June 18, 2019 2:45 PM IST
Gear up for International Yoga Day and the monsoon with these yoga asanas.
Yoga Asanas to Help Build Strong Immunity
indiacom
2019-06-18T03:45:02+00:00
2019-06-18T23:36:47+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
Indian Embassy in Kathmandu Celebrates Yoga Day at Gateway to Mt Everest
PTI | June 16, 2019 7:43 PM IST
For the first time, International Day of Yoga was celebrated at Nepal's Thyangboche, which is the
Indian Embassy in Kathmandu Celebrates Yoga Day at Gateway to Mt Everest
indiacom
2019-06-16T08:43:12+00:00
2019-06-16T08:43:12+00:00
International Day Of Yoga
India.com
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
The International Yoga Day became Meme Day on Twitter, with tweeples giving funny, witty and
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

Petrol	97.00	MORE
Diesel	88.06	MORE

CNG	24.65	MORE
LPG	694.00	MORE
Kerosene	83,874.40	MORE