International Yoga Day: History, Theme & Its Importance

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Yoga is an ancient Indian ascetic practice that blends physical, mental, and spiritual endeavors to achieve body and mind harmony. Because there are various benefits to practicing yoga on a daily basis, the United Nations General Assembly declared December 14, 2014 to be the International Day of Yoga.
We have seen Prime Minister Narendra Modi Doing Yoga every year, especially on international yoga day and encouraging youth to practice yoga in daily schedule.

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Since 2015, when the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared June 21st as International Yoga Day in December of 2014, the day has been observed all over the world as International Yoga Day. In his speech to the UNGA on September 27, 2014, Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi introduced the notion of an International Day of Yoga for the first time.

International Yoga Day 2022

On June 21, 2022, the world will celebrate International Yoga Day 2022 with great excitement. Yoga is helping people stay energized and have a robust immune system while the COVID-19 pandemic continues this year.

Theme for International Yoga Day 2022

The theme for International Yoga Day 2022 might emphasize the benefits of yoga during Covid. The theme focuses on the importance of yoga. The subject for this year’s yoga day focuses on “How Yoga Can Help You Cure Covid-19” and “How Yoga Can Help You Achieve Holistic Health.”

History of International Yoga Day

People all across the world are getting ready to break out their yoga mats and start exercising for International Yoga Day. People may not realize that yoga has been in practice for millennia.

Yoga is thought to be an ancient discipline that originated in India 5,000 years ago. Yoga is a technique to unite the mind, body, and spirit in order to go closer to enlightenment. As the technique gained popularity in the west, it was promoted as a form of exercise and relaxation, with promises that it could improve overall health, alleviate physical injuries, and relieve chronic pain.

International Yoga Day importance

Prime Minister Narendra Modi first presented the notion of International Yoga Day on September 27, 2014. During his speech to the United Nations General Assembly, when India’s Ambassador, Asoke Kumar Mukerji, sponsored a resolution designating June 21 as International Yoga Day.

It is the Summer Solstice on June 21st, the day of the year when there is the most sunlight. 177 countries signed on to declare June 21 as International Yoga Day, the biggest number of co-sponsors for any UN resolution.

PM Narendra Modi Doing Yoga on International Yoga Day

Nearly 36,000 individuals, including Prime Minister Modi and many other high-profile political personalities from around the world, performed 21 asanas (yoga poses) for 35 minutes in New Delhi on June 21, 2015, on the first International Yoga Day, which has since been observed around the world.

Designation of 21st June as International Yoga Day

The United Nations General Assembly determined on December 11, 2014, that every year on June 21st, the International Day of Yoga would be observed. It happened when the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, while speaking to the UNGA on September 27, 2014, said that the International Day of Yoga would be adopted on June 21, 2014.

Every year 21st June is considered to be International Yoga Day. The first yogi, known as the Adiyogi, faced south and gazed upon the Saptarishis, or Seven Sages on 21st June. His first pupils, the Saptarishis, were instrumental in disseminating the science of Yoga throughout the world. As a result, this day is extremely significant in human history.

THE DAY’S TRADITIONS

Because International Yoga Day is a new celebration, there are no long-standing customs. Yoga, on the other hand, is an ancient art that replenishes the mind and calms the soul. The purpose of the day is to inspire people about the yogi lifestyle.

Newcomers to yoga join up and construct their own flow of moves while listening to their favorite calming music. New yoga mats and yoga trousers are purchased prior to beginning the practice. Those who are already adept at yoga experiment with new combinations and introduce it to their friends. Instructors also provide special group yoga retreats. On this day, we see our Prime Minister Narendra Modi doing yoga with high energy.

International Yoga Day Logo’s Importance

The event’s logo represents Yoga, which is a holistic approach to health and well-being. The logo with folded hands (yoga pose) represents the merging of individual and universal Consciousness, bringing mind and body, as well as man and nature, into harmony.

The logo’s dark leaves represent the Earth element, while the green leaves represent Nature and the blue color represents the Water element. The Sun is the source of energy and inspiration, while the brightness of the logo indicates the Fire element.

Yoga’s motto is embodied in the logo, which reads “Yoga for harmony and peace.”

Participation and Efforts from Around the World

Around 175 countries from all over the world, including China, Canada, and the United States, support the resolution. As a result, this resolution received the most support. While watching the Prime Minister Narendra Modi doing Yoga, the audience always gets a push for working towards better healthcare.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, a well-known international humanitarian, also proposed the concept of observing World Yoga Day in December 2011. He lauded Mr. Narendra Modi’s efforts and said “Without governmental support, any philosophy, religion, or culture has a hard time surviving. The UN’s official recognition of Yoga will now help to propagate the benefits of the practice over the globe.”

International Yoga Day was first observed on June 21, 2015, as a result of a United Nations decision made on December 11, 2014, with the support of approximately 177 countries. The Nodal Agency, AYUSH, the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy of the Government of India, will conduct a variety of activities to commemorate International Yoga Day.

FACTS ABOUT YOGA

Many people in the United States practice yoga.
Around 36 million Americans, or around 10% of the population, claim to practice yoga on a daily basis.