Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice that originated in ancient India. The word ‘yoga’ resembles joining or uniting, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness. In today’s world, it is practiced in various forms around the world and continues to grow in popularity.

International Yoga Day aims to raise awareness all around the world of the several benefits of practicing yoga. The draft resolution organizing the International Day of Yoga was initially proposed in India and endorsed by a record 175 member states. Prime Minister Narendra Modi first introduced the proposal in his address during the opening of the 69th session of the General Assembly. Here, he addressed the importance of populations making healthier choices and following healthy lifestyle patterns. In this regard, the World Health Organization has also adjured its member states to help their citizens reduce physical inactivity, which is considered among the leading causes of death worldwide, and a risk factor for non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, etc.

Themes of International Yoga Day (Year by Year)

The day of the summer solstice, June 21, is considered the longest day of the year and it was further decided that International Yoga Day would be celebrated on this day. On September 27, 2014, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech at the UN General Assembly, he suggested introducing the occasion of a “Yoga Day”. The inaugural International Yoga Day was celebrated around the world on June 21, 2015.

The International Yoga Day theme of 2022 was “Yoga for Humanity” and the day will center on the importance of yoga in carrying out better mental health in everybody’s life.

The International Yoga Day theme of 2021 was “Yoga for well-being”. This year International Yoga Day focused on health and welfare and due to COVID-19, it was celebrated online throughout the world.

The International Yoga Day theme of 2020 was “Yoga at home and yoga with family”. For this year’s celebration, the Prime Minister of Bulgaria Boyko Borissov recorded a special message for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In 2019 International Yoga Day was celebrated all over the world with the theme of “Yoga for Heart”, and at Ranchi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a crowd of 40000 people and practiced yoga.

Wrapping Up

Practiced in India since the 5th century, Yoga has played an important role in keeping the body and mind of people in sound health. Being a holistic approach, Yoga targets all the various systems of the body and mind. It is considered that the asanas make the body strong and flexible, and as health improves; the mind too is renewed with immense confidence. The practice of Pranayama, which is known to be a major part of Yoga, regulates the purification of the internal system and the organs, acting as a superior and able supplement to the asanas of Yoga. The energy that is generated in the body through Yoga and Pranayama is then channeled into meditation or Dhyan for stability, peace, and calm.