International Day of Yoga, celebrated annually on June 21st, has a fascinating history. It is a holiday dedicated to yoga and its benefits for the health and well-being of humanity.
The International Day of Yoga was established by the United Nations General Assembly on December 11, 2014. This initiative was proposed by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, during his address to the UN General Assembly as a celebration dedicated to yoga and its benefits for health and well-being of humanity.
During his speech, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the significance of yoga as a spiritual and physical practice that contributes to the health and harmony of individuals and societies. He also proposed June 21st as the International Day of Yoga because it is the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, associated with the symbolism of light and spiritual enlightenment.
After the proposal was presented, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution unanimously declaring June 21st as the International Day of Yoga. The resolution highlighted the value of yoga as a health and spiritual practice and its potential in promoting health, balance, and harmony worldwide.
Since then, every year on June 21st, the International Day of Yoga is celebrated worldwide. Yoga-related events such as free yoga classes, seminars, workshops, exhibitions, and demonstrations take place in many countries, attracting both experienced practitioners and those who want to try yoga for the first time.
The establishment of the International Day of Yoga by the UN aims to promote yoga as a universal practice that can benefit all people, regardless of their age, background, or religion. It is also an opportunity to promote values of peace, harmony, and intercultural understanding through the shared practice of yoga.
Yoga in a nutshell:
Yoga has roots dating back over 5,000 years. The first mentions of yoga can be found in ancient Indian texts known as the Vedas.
There are many different styles of yoga, each with its unique characteristics. Some popular styles include Hatha yoga, Ashtanga yoga, Bikram yoga, Iyengar yoga, Kundalini yoga, and Vinyasa yoga.
Asanas are body postures performed in yoga practice. Some well-known ones include
- Tadasana (Mountain Pose),
- Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog),
- Uttanasana (Forward Bend),
- Virabhadrasana I (Warrior I),
- Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose),
- Balasana (Child’s Pose),
- Vrikshasana (Tree Pose),
- Dhanurasana (Bow Pose),
- Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Lord of the Fishes Pose),
- Savasana (Corpse Pose).
Yoga places a strong emphasis on breath control. Breathing techniques, such as Pranayama, are often incorporated into yoga practice, aiding in calming the mind and increasing awareness.
Yoga is not just a physical practice but also a spiritual one. Meditation is an integral part of yoga, helping to quiet the mind, find inner peace, and attain deeper levels of consciousness.
Yoga has a rich philosophy that describes the path to achieving unity of body, mind, and soul. Texts such as Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras serve as a guide for yoga practitioners.
Yoga for all: Yoga is a practice that can be adapted to different age groups and levels of proficiency. There is yoga for children, seniors, pregnant women, and individuals with varying physical abilities.
In addition to traditional mat practice, yoga can also be practiced on specialized platforms, in water (SUP yoga), or even on a trampoline (trampoline yoga).
These are just a few interesting facts about yoga, which continues to captivate people around the world with its profound benefits for the body, mind, and spirit.
