Imagine having a day dedicated to peace, mindfulness and community, a day where people of different backgrounds unite to practice yoga and cherish their common interests. On International Yoga Day, communities from everywhere recognise yoga as a universal practice that unites people around the world, thus creating feelings of acceptance between them.
In this blog, we will discuss the significance of International Yoga Day while explaining how it fosters connections, promotes well-being and how it encourages us to live in harmony.
Essence of Yoga: A Journey To The Ultimate Self
Aside from physical exercise, Yoga presents itself as a comprehensive life approach that originated in ancient India. For approximately 5000 years, yoga has existed as a practice that combines specific body postures (asanas), breathing practices (pranayama), meditation, mindfulness techniques and ethical guidelines. At its essence, yoga enables practitioners to unite their mental and physical states with their spiritual power, which leads to self-awareness and a state of inner tranquillity.
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From India to International: How Yoga Is Uniting The World
Yoga has transcended its geographical origin, becoming an international phenomenon that supports cultural exchange and people coming together in a community on 21st June. The first International Yoga Day was celebrated on 21st June 2015 where individuals from different backgrounds come together, creating a shared space for mindfulness and connection. In jam-packed cities or serene rural environments, yoga classes are held at parks, schools, and even online platforms, making yoga accessible to everybody. This is the testament of yoga’s universal appeal, which unites individuals, shares their stories, and encourages them to rejoice in their differences but bond over their pursuit of health and wellness.
International Yoga Day Themes Over the Years
The celebration of International Yoga Day features a selected annual theme which explores different dimensions of yoga. The following overview highlights the different themes which have been chosen for International Yoga Day throughout multiple years:
- 2025: Yoga practitioners in 2025 should focus on displaying the essential role yoga plays in promoting mental welfare through health care while awaiting official themes from event committees.
- 2024: In 2024, the International Yoga Day celebration theme focuses on “Yoga for Self and Society”, which unites our body with mind and spirit with soul to create peace in hectic modern life.
- 2023: This year’s theme was Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (meaning world as one family), which comes from a Sanskrit text. Through compassion, yoga can unite people across communities, as stated by the theme.
- 2022: In 2022, people celebrated “Yoga for Humanity” because yoga created positive changes for both personal lives and communities, especially during the COVID-19 crisis.
- 2021: The theme emphasised physical and mental health benefits alongside personal wellness enhancements in 2021.
These themes arrange the events while demonstrating how important yoga is in our daily existence.
Why is Yoga Accepted Globally? Know The Benefits
Yoga is global because of its numerous benefits that appeal to all ages and backgrounds. Some of its major benefits are:
- Mental Clarity and Reducing Stress: Yoga teaches you to relax and manage stress, and improves mental clarity. Meditation and breathing control are the main tools for this.
- Emotional Stability: Regular practice of yoga makes you emotionally balanced, so you can live life’s good times and bad with less trouble.
- Better Posture and Flexibility: Yoga poses improve flexibility and strength, which leads to better posture and overall physical well-being.
- A Tool for All Ages and Fitness Levels: Yoga is versatile for all ages and all fitness levels. This is one of the main reasons why yoga is so popular worldwide.
- Serves Preventive Health and Healing: Most healthcare professionals recommend yoga as a complementary medicine for many health conditions; it’s a tool for preventive care.
- Supported by Global Leaders and Health Organisations: The endorsement by global leaders and health organisations further solidified its position as a practice for well-being.
Ready to Make Yoga a Part of Your Life? Things You Should Know
If you want to bring yoga into your life, here are some tips to get you started:
1. What Should You Wear To Feel Comfortable During Yoga?
Wear something loose but still stretchy, which gives you room to move. Fitted tops and leggings, or shorts, are perfect. Avoid baggy clothes that can hinder your practice.
2. Can You Eat Before Doing Yoga?
It’s best to avoid heavy meals before yoga. A light snack, like a piece of fruit or a handful of nuts, 30-45 minutes before your session, can give you energy without discomfort.
3. When Is The Best Time To Practice Yoga?
Early morning is usually the best time for yoga since it sets the tone for the rest of the day. But ultimately, it’s up to you and your daily routine. Some find evening classes de-stress them after a busy day.
4. How Many Times A Week Should You Do Yoga?
For beginners, it’s great to start with 2-3 times a week and gradually work your way up to regular practice. As you get more confident, you can increase to 5-6 times a week based on your goals and lifestyle.
5. Which Yoga Poses Are Best For Beginners?
Beginners should learn which specific positions will suit them best.
You should begin with four foundational beginner poses, which consist of Mountain Pose (Tadasana), Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana), Child’s Pose (Balasana,) together with Cat-Cow Stretch (Marjaryasana-Bitilasana). These postures establish body strength while increasing flexibility and helping individuals become aware of their physical presence, while serving as excellent practices for starting practitioners.
Individuals in Mumbai, who wish to begin yoga or meditation practice should enrol in one of the yoga classes in Mumbai. These educational institutions deliver both beginner classes and mindfulness techniques that can complement your practice.
Excited? Know How You Can Celebrate International Yoga Day
With International Yoga Day coming up, there are many ways to get involved and join the celebration of this international event. Here are some ideas to help you get started:
- A Sunrise Yoga Flow should be your first activity to energise your body during the first hours of the morning. The morning yoga helps establish a good mood for the day to come. If you do not want to do it alone, joining a yoga institute in Mumbai is of great help! They teach you about the foundations and advanced yoga poses for your well-being.
- Celebrate #InternationalYogaDay through social media by sharing your yoga experiences with the hashtag. You can post photos or videos from your practice while urging others to take part in the celebration by joining you.
- After your practice, indulge in some self-care activities like taking a warm bath combined with a nutritious meal, followed by mindful reflection or maybe some silent time for mindfulness and thanksgiving.
Ready to Make Yoga a Part of Your Life?
Join The International Yoga Day Movement With Eclipse Wellbeing Hub
Eclipse Wellbeing, a yoga institute in Mumbai, devotes itself to recognising the healing strength of yoga while advocating for universal connection among people of different backgrounds. This International Yoga Day, we welcome you to become part of our group through our exciting events along with our special yoga classes. Whether you are an experienced yogi or a beginner, there is a space for you with us.
Let’s unite to recognise the significance of International Yoga Day while exploring the path of self-discovery from yoga asanas. Let’s create a ripple effect of positivity and mindfulness that spreads from our mats into the world. Book your session now!
Frequently Asked Questions
Mass yoga events, workshops, and public awareness initiatives mark International Yoga Day celebrations throughout India. Ministry of AYUSH distributes standardised yoga protocols to various organisations, which bring people together for group yoga sessions, including government bodies, institutions of education, and private entities.
The official symbol for International Yoga Day represents a person praying to represent unity and peaceful coexistence. The symbolism rests above a world map, emphasising yoga’s universal appeal.
The United Nations officially declared 21 June as the International Yoga Day in 2014. The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, presented the idea at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2014.
Maharishi Patanjali, an ancient Indian sage, is recognised as the “father of yoga”. He collected the Yoga Sutras, which established the core concepts and practices of yoga as a structured system.
