International Day of Yoga

International Day of Yoga
International Day of Yoga celebration at Patanjali, Haridwar
Observed byUnited Nations
SignificanceOfficial United Nations promotion of global health, harmony and peace
Date21 June
2025 date21 June
2026 date21 June
FrequencyAnnual
International Yoga day at a glance
Stamp of India commemorates with International Day of Yoga.jpeg

The International Day of Yoga is a day in recognition of Yoga, that is celebrated around the world annually on 21 June, following its adoption by the United Nations in 2014.[1][2] As Yoga exercises have shown significant benefits for physical and mental well-being,[3][4] it was considered important by the UN to globally promote this wellness practice, which originated in ancient India.[5][6]

The initiative for "Yoga Day" was taken by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his 2014 UN address,[2] and the related resolution received broad global support, with 177 nations co-sponsoring it in the United Nations General Assembly, where it passed unanimously.[7] Subsequently, the first International Yoga Day was celebrated successfully on 21 June 2015, around the world including New York, Paris, Beijing, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul and New Delhi.[8]

  1. ^ UN Declared 21 June as International Day of Yoga Archived 9 July 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ a b "Hindu Lawmaker Introduces Resolution In US Congress To Celebrate International Yoga Day". NDTV. 23 June 2017.
  3. ^ Marek Jantos (2012), in Oxford Textbook of Spirituality in Healthcare (Editors: Mark Cobb et al.), Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0-19-957139-0, pp. 362–363.
  4. ^ "Yoga Landed in the U.S. Way Earlier Than You'd Think—And Fitness Was Not the Point". HISTORY. 20 June 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  5. ^ "Yoga: Its Origin, History and Development". mea.gov.in. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference Times of India 2020 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ "United Nations General Assembly adopts Resolution on International Day of Yoga with a record number of 177 country co-sponsors". Archived from the original on 9 January 2015. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
  8. ^ "International Yoga Day And What It Means For India". The New York Times. 29 June 2015.