We celebrate International Day of Yoga on June 21, and we are getting ready to make the most of the day. It is a day to commemorate the importance of yoga for the wellness of the body and mind. Yoga combines spiritual, mental, and physical practices that have their roots in ancient India. Yoga is a practice that can bring peace and tranquility to the mind and help us deal with the plights of day-to-day life and daily suffering. The importance of yoga is now recognized throughout the world, and we are also taking part in the celebration with the rest of the world. So what are you waiting for? Put on your yoga pants and join us.
History of International Day of Yoga
Yoga is an ancient practice developed in India a few thousand years ago. Historians believe that yoga practices existed as far back as the Indus Valley civilization on the banks of the Indus River. The word ‘yoga’ was first mentioned in the ‘Rigveda,’ one of ancient India’s four sacred Hindu texts. The Rigveda consists of around 1,028 poems grouped into 10 circles, also known as ‘mandalas.’ Patanjali, an Indian sage, developed yoga practices. He organized yoga into an eight-limbed path. For his contribution to the development of yoga, the world now considers Patanjali as the father of yoga.Until the 1890s, yoga was only popular inside India’s borders. This changed when Swami Vivekananda visited America. He was a philosopher and a monk. He is most famous for his powerful speech to the World’s Parliament of Religions in 1893. After his moving speech, he organized world conferences and rose in popularity. He introduced yoga to the world and called it the “science of the mind.” He also translated various yogic texts from Sanskrit to English. Although he died at a young age, he started a trend carried on by other eminent personalities.Tirumalai Krishnamacharya is one of the important figures in popularizing yoga worldwide. If Vivekananda took yoga to the world, people like Krishnamacharya made it popular in India. Indra Devi, Bikram Choudhury, and B.K.S. Iyengar also helped. India’s current prime minister, Narendra Modi, suggested the International Day of Yoga in his 2014 U.N. General Assembly speech, where 177 member states endorsed the proposal and chose June 21 as the International Day of Yoga. We’ve been celebrating this wonderful day since 2015.
International Day of Yoga timeline
Yoga practices begin in the Indus valley civilization for spiritual and physical upliftment.
Patanjali starts writing the yoga sutras, the foundation text of yoga.
In his historical speech, Swami Vivekananda calls for an end to religious tolerance and fanaticism.
Swami Vivekananda publishes the book “Raja Yoga;” his interpretation of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras in English.
The world starts celebrating June 21 as the International Day of Yoga.
International Day of Yoga FAQs
Is doing yoga safe?
Various research shows that yoga is as safe as any other normal exercise.
Why is the International Day of Yoga celebrated?
Yoga aims to boost the health of the body, mind, and soul. Therefore, the main goal of the International Day of Yoga is to raise awareness about the various yoga practices and their purposes.
Why is it called ‘yoga?’
‘Yoga’ is a Sanskrit word that means the union of individual and cosmic consciousness. The result of this union is the harmony of the body, mind, and soul.
International Day of Yoga Activities
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Buy yoga gear
Get your yoga gear like yoga pants, pads, robes, etc., and always ensure you have the correct equipment before starting the session. The correct yoga gear can make a huge difference in your practice!
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Learn yoga
Spend your day practicing the art of yoga. Try different yoga postures, and meditation, and withhold from having non-vegetarian food.
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Read Swami Vivekananda
Buy the original books written by Swami Vivekananda about yoga. Try to understand the concepts of yoga and how it can benefit your overall health.
5 Important Facts About Yoga
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The capital of yoga
Rishikesh, a place in India, is the self-proclaimed “yoga capital of the world” and is considered the birthplace of yoga by some.
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6,000 yoga studios
There are approximately 6,000 studios in the U.S. to teach yoga to aspiring individuals.
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Ban on yoga
Certain countries, like Indonesia and Malaysia, have officially banned yoga on religious grounds.
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Yoga for healing
Yoga was initially used for healing, and it is still widely used as a complementary therapy in various medical centers.
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Just for men
Until 1937, women did not receive yoga classes.
Why We Love International Day of Yoga
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It’s stress relief
Yoga can provide stress relief for those who practice it daily. When done correctly, meditation and yoga postures can greatly impact mental wellness.
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It’s physical exercise
Yoga moves your muscles and burns some unwanted calories. Regularly practicing yoga can help improve the defenses of your body.
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It’s spiritual enlightenment
Yoga was initially a practice for spiritual enlightenment. It is a practice that is thousands of years old and still survives.
International Day of Yoga dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | June 21 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | June 21 | Friday |
| 2025 | June 21 | Saturday |
| 2026 | June 21 | Sunday |
| 2027 | June 21 | Monday |
