Quick Summary
Table of Contents
“International Yoga Day, also known as World Yoga Day or International Day of Yoga (IDY), is celebrated on June 21st annually. When is World Yoga Day? It’s the day people worldwide unite to celebrate yoga, India’s traditional health practice. The World Health Organization (WHO) and its member states spearhead global efforts to commemorate yoga’s physical/mental benefits on International Yoga Day.
Yoga, originating in India, unites body, mind, and consciousness. Derived from Sanskrit (‘to unite’), it has evolved into diverse forms, gaining global popularity.
International Yoga Day 2025 marks the 11th International Yoga Day theme 2025 is “Yoga for One Earth One Health”.
This ancient Indian gift enhances physical/mental health. The Sanskrit ‘yuj’ (‘to unite’) symbolizes mind-body harmony.
Yoga, an invaluable gift from ancient India, has become a trusted practice for enhancing both physical and mental well-being. The term ‘Yoga’ comes from the Sanskrit word “yuj,” meaning “to join” or “to unite,” symbolizing the harmony of mind and body, thought and action, and the connection between humans and nature.
Yoga Mahotsav 2025 promotes yoga globally, emphasizing women’s health. The Ministry of Ayush:
| Yoga Day Edition | Year | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Yoga Day Celebrated | 2015 | Yoga for Harmony and Peace |
| 2nd Yoga Day Celebrated | 2016 | Yoga for the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals |
| 3rd Yoga Day Celebrated | 2017 | Yoga for Health |
| 4th Yoga Day Celebrated | 2018 | Yoga for Peace |
| 5th Yoga Day Celebrated | 2019 | Yoga for Heart |
| 6th Yoga Day Celebrated | 2020 | Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family |
| 7th Yoga Day Celebrated | 2021 | Yoga for Wellness |
| 8th Yoga Day Celebrated | 2022 | Yoga for Humanity |
| 9th Yoga Day Celebrated | 2023 | Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (The World Is One Family) |
| 10th Yoga Day Celebrated | 2024 | Yoga for Self and Society |
| 11th Yoga Day Celebrated | 2025 | Yoga for One Earth One Health |
Here are some Yoga Day quotes:
Yoga’s journey from local practice to global phenomenon is remarkable. India’s National Yoga Day celebrated this ancient practice, but its health benefits inspired the first International Yoga Day proposal. This vision gained massive international support.
The UN catalyzed this shift. After India’s proposal, International Yoga Day is celebrated on June 21 annually. The UN recognized yoga as a global harmony, health, and peace tool. This endorsement sparked worldwide Yoga Day celebrations.
Yoga Day falls on June 21 a historically significant date. This alignment with the Northern Hemisphere’s summer solstice (a day of light and renewal) symbolizes yoga’s transformative power: enlightenment, self-awareness, and harmony with nature. International Yoga Day is celebrated on this date globally.
Yoga strengthens and flexes the body through asanas, reducing injury risk while balancing mind and body.
Yoga builds mental resilience and improves emotional regulation and decision-making. Expect global events highlighting these benefits for the 11th International Yoga Day in 2025.
In our fast-paced world, yoga cultivates presence and awareness. Meditation enhances mental/physical health, boosting self-awareness and stress reduction – key focuses for Yoga Day theme 2025.
The first International Yoga Day (2015) marked a global turning point:
June 21 honors yoga’s Indian roots while symbolizing enlightenment. Traditions include:
Centuries ago, poet Bhartrhari captured yoga’s essence:
Centuries ago, the famous Sanskrit poet Bhartrhari highlighted the essence of Yoga with a powerful verse that describes the life of a true yogi. He emphasizes that qualities such as patience, compassion, truth, and self-discipline define a yogi’s nature, and they live a simple, grounded life. For a yogi, even basic needs like a bed, clothing, and food are derived from the earth, and wisdom becomes their nourishment. In his words:
धैर्यं यस्य पिता क्षमा च जननी शान्तिश्चिरं गेहिनी
सत्यं सूनुरयं दया च भगिनी भ्राता मनः संयमः।
शय्या भूमितलं दिशोSपि वसनं ज्ञानामृतं भोजनं
एते यस्य कुटिम्बिनः वद सखे कस्माद् भयं योगिनः।।
Regular practice of Yoga helps cultivate valuable qualities like courage, which acts as a protective father, forgiveness, which reflects the compassion of a mother, and mental peace, which becomes a lifelong companion. Through consistent Yoga practice, truth becomes like a child, mercy is like a sister, self-control is like a brother, while the earth serves as a bed and knowledge nourishes the soul.
This verse emphasizes that such a life brings true peace and freedom from fear and worldly distractions.
Yoga has become widely accessible, complementing traditional education. Schools and community centers now offer classes for all ages/incomes.
Key Points:
On June 21, yogis showcase unique interpretations, from New York to Bali. Diverse yoga traditions spark creativity, while celebrities amplify its message of unity, health, and peace through Yoga Day celebrations.
The Yoga Certification Course by Government of India (through MORAR & Ayush institutes) standardizes training quality nationwide. This initiative:
Since its inception in 2015, International Yoga Day (IDY) has grown into a global movement, uniting millions across countries and cultures. Its steady growth each year reflects yoga’s universal appeal for physical fitness, mental clarity, emotional balance, and inner peace. More than just an annual event, the International Day of Yoga transcends geographical and cultural boundaries, spreading awareness about healthy lifestyles and holistic well-being. Through mass yoga sessions, awareness drives, and mindfulness initiatives, IDY demonstrates the transformative power of yoga in enhancing lives worldwide, while reinforcing its role as a timeless practice for health, harmony, and peace.
Read More:-
Every Year, June 21 is celebrated as International Yoga Day, which draws attention to the positive effects that yoga can have on one’s health.
People worldwide celebrate International Yoga Day on June 21, which is also the date that we mark the beginning of summer with the summer solstice.
The summer solstice, June 21, is important in Indian culture and spirituality because it marks the beginning of a new cycle of light. The summer solstice is on the same day.
The United Nations declared June 21 a global holiday in recognition of the widespread benefits of yoga.
Regular yoga practice improves flexibility, strength, and body/mind awareness.
The Ministry of AYUSH in collaboration with MyGov invites participants to celebrate the International Day of Yoga 2025 by exploring the theme “Yoga for One Earth One Health” through an essay writing competition.”
International Yoga Day started in 2015. It was officially declared by the United Nations in 2014, following a proposal by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and has been celebrated every year on June 21 to promote yoga’s benefits for health, harmony, and well-being.
International Yoga Day was declared by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2014, after a proposal by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address at the UN, highlighting yoga’s benefits for health, harmony, and peace. The first International Yoga Day was celebrated on June 21, 2015.
Authored by, Muskan Gupta
Content Curator
Muskan believes learning should feel like an adventure, not a chore. With years of experience in content creation and strategy, she specializes in educational topics, online earning opportunities, and general knowledge. She enjoys sharing her insights through blogs and articles that inform and inspire her readers. When she’s not writing, you’ll likely find her hopping between bookstores and bakeries, always in search of her next favorite read or treat.
Editor's Recommendations
Chegg India does not ask for money to offer any opportunity with the company. We request you to be vigilant before sharing your personal and financial information with any third party. Beware of fraudulent activities claiming affiliation with our company and promising monetary rewards or benefits. Chegg India shall not be responsible for any losses resulting from such activities.
Chegg India does not ask for money to offer any opportunity with the company. We request you to be vigilant before sharing your personal and financial information with any third party. Beware of fraudulent activities claiming affiliation with our company and promising monetary rewards or benefits. Chegg India shall not be responsible for any losses resulting from such activities.
