Introduction – International Yoga Day will be celebrated annually on June 21 to raise awareness about the several benefits of Yoga across the world. June 21 was chosen to celebrate International Yoga Day because it is the longest day of the year. The main purpose of the International Yoga Day is to highlight the importance of Yoga and its important role in rejuvenating our mind and the body that leading to a healthier lifestyle.

History –The United Nations General Assembly had announced that International Yoga Day is celebrated every year on June 21 with the support of 177 countries. Firstly, International Yoga Day is celebrated on June 21, 2015, across the world. Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed the idea of practicing ‘Yoga Day’ during his speech at the United States General Assembly. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also termed Yoga as an invaluable gift from an ancient tradition of India and also highlighted the importance of yoga for health in his speech. It is believed that yoga is originated thousands of years ago in India which also mention in the ancient mythological books such as Rig Veda.

Theme – The theme of International Yoga Day is ‘Yoga for Humanity’ which was declared by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the addressing in Mann ki Baat that will concentrate on ‘Brand India at Global Stage’ during the showcasing its iconic places.

Significance – International Yoga Day is celebrated across the world to highlight the importance and several health benefits of practicing yoga regularly. Yoga calms and refreshes the mind with the improvement of patience and concentration. During yoga, pranayama, and practicing yoga maintains the purification of the internal system of the body. The energy produced in the body during the practice of yoga is then channeled into meditation for calm, stability, and peace.

Yoga provides physical and mental relaxation and also develops resilience and strength. The word ‘yoga’ comes from Sanskrit which means to unite or join symbolizing the union of body and consciousness. Now, it is practiced in different forms and gain popularity all around the world. Several benefits of Yoga make it a popular practice for people across the world, especially during the pandemic when physical and mental health is under stress.