International Day of Yoga is observed globally, to highlight the importance of Yoga in the contemporary era, every year on June 21. It highlights the importance of finding balance in our fast-paced, modern lives and encourages physical, mental, and spiritual harmony. Yoga fosters mindfulness, stress reduction, and overall health and vitality.
In its 9th edition,? this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be hosting the ceremony at the United Nations (UN) headquarter in New York during his state visit to the United States between June 20-24. This marks the first time a yoga session will be conducted by the Prime Minister at this location.
Back in December 2014, India's Permanent Representative Ashok Mukherjee introduced a draft resolution regarding the same in the United General Assembly. The draft received tremendous support from the 177 member states and was adopted as a special day. The United Nations on December 11, 2014, proclaimed that June 21 will be marked as International Day of Yoga by resolution 69/131.
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The theme for International Yoga Day in 2023 is "Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam", which represents our shared desire for ¡°One Earth, One Family, One Future."
"Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" is a Sanskrit phrase that translates to "the world is one family" in English. It is a concept rooted in ancient Indian philosophy and is often quoted as a guiding principle for promoting global unity, peace, and harmony.
The idea behind Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is that all of humanity, irrespective of differences in nationality, race, religion, or culture, is interconnected and should live together as a global family.
The theme for International Yoga Day changes every year, focusing on different aspects of yoga practice. The celebrations aim to highlight yoga's contribution to physical fitness, mental peace, stress relief, and spiritual growth. It also emphasizes the role of yoga in creating a more harmonious and balanced world.
Yoga is believed to have originated in India thousands of years ago and also finds mention in ancient mythological books like the Rig Veda. On 27 September 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his speech at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, proposed the idea of practicing 'Yoga Day'.
In his speech, Modi termed Yoga as an 'invaluable gift of India's ancient tradition' and highlighted the importance of yoga for maintaining 'harmony between man and nature'. The draft resolution passed by India was backed by 177 nations and the first International Yoga Day was celebrated on June 21, 2015.
On International Yoga Day, people from all walks of life, regardless of age, gender, or fitness level, come together to participate in yoga sessions and events. The day serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about the benefits of yoga and its potential in promoting overall well-being. Many countries organize mass yoga sessions, workshops, seminars, and cultural programs to celebrate the occasion.
International Yoga Day has gained significant popularity worldwide, with millions of people actively participating in the celebrations. Yoga enthusiasts, practitioners, and organizations use this day to spread the message of yoga's positive impact on individual and community health.
It is important to note that while International Yoga Day is widely observed and celebrated, participation in yoga practice is not limited to this specific day. Yoga is practiced by millions of people globally throughout the year, as it offers numerous benefits for both physical and mental well-being.