The International Day of Yoga is celebrated annually on June 21. This date was proposed by the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in his address to the United Nations General Assembly on September 27, 2014. He suggested that June 21 would be an appropriate date for the celebration, as it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and shares a special significance in many parts of the world.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted the proposal on December 11, 2014, by resolution 69/131. The resolution states that the International Day of Yoga is to be celebrated "as an opportunity to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practicing yoga."
The first International Day of Yoga was observed on June 21, 2015. Millions of people around the world participated in yoga events, including Prime Minister Modi, who led a yoga session in New Delhi.
Since then, the International Day of Yoga has been celebrated annually with increasing enthusiasm. In 2016, the United Nations organized a mass yoga event at its headquarters in New York City, with more than 1,500 participants from over 100 countries.
The International Day of Yoga is a great opportunity to learn about the benefits of yoga and to experience the joy of practicing it. It is also a time to celebrate the diversity of yoga traditions and to promote the values of peace, harmony, and well-being.
Here are some of the benefits of practicing yoga:
- Improved physical health: Yoga can help to improve flexibility, strength, and balance. It can also help to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
- Improved mental health: Yoga can help to improve focus, concentration, and memory. It can also help to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
- Improved overall well-being: Yoga can help to improve overall well-being by promoting a sense of peace, harmony, and relaxation.
If you are interested in learning more about yoga or participating in an International Day of Yoga event, there are many resources available online and in your community. You can also find a list of upcoming events on the website of the International Day of Yoga.