International Yoga Day 2024: When Did It Start And Why Is It Celebrated On June 21?

The 10th International Yoga Day will be celebrated worldwide on 21 June. On this day, various benefits of yoga are highlighted, which include mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. The word yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘yuj’ which means to join. Yoga signifies the connection between body and mind, actions and thoughts, satisfaction and self-control, and harmony between nature and people. Yoga originated in ancient India. Yoga originated, but in 2014, PM Narendra Modi, during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly, proposed an international day of yoga. Narendera Modi described yoga as a precious gift from ancient traditions, highlighting its holistic approach to health and well-being. In December 2014, UNGA declared 21 June as the International Yoga Day.

The importance of International Yoga day in promoting global health and wellness.

With time, yoga has gained immense popularity worldwide. Millions of people around the globe practice yoga to improve their overall health and mental well-being. Yoga not only involves physical exercises but also meditation and breathing techniques. Yoga helps in reducing stress, depression, and anxiety and also helps in enhancing flexibility, balance, strength and endurance. The objective behind celebrating Yoga Day is to educate the people regarding various health benefits of practising yoga. By encouraging people to practise yoga, it not only improves the physical health but also helps in maintaining the mental health of people. The international Yoga Day highlights how it can lead to a healthier and more balanced lifestyle.

How International Yoga Day Is Celebrated?

On 21 June 2015, the first International Yoga Day was celebrated globally. In India, the ministry of AYUSH organised the event. At Rajpath in New Delhi, along with PM Narendra Modi, 35,985 people and other prominent people from different countries performed 21 poses of yoga for 35 minutes. Since then, similar events have been held in India and across the globe to celebrate International Yoga Day. People from different parts of the world connect virtually for online yoga classes to practise yoga on this day.

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Benefits of Yoga

For people of all ages Yoga offers physical and mental well-being. There are various benefits of yoga. If you practise yoga every day, you will start witnessing its various benefits. Practice yoga every day to relax yourself from your daily schedule, be healthy, and be mentally and physically fit.

1) Yoga helps in improving balance, strength, and flexibility.

2) Yoga acts as a good stretching for easing pain and improving mobility in individuals with the problem of lower back pain.

Yoga helps in easing swollen joints for people with arthritis.

4) Practising yoga regularly helps in reducing stress and body inflammation, which reduces the risk of heart problems.

5)Practising yoga every day can help you get relaxed and help you get mindful sleep.

6) You may witness increased physical and mental energy and brighter moods if you practise yoga every day.

7) Yoga helps in managing stress, mental health, healthy eating, and mindfulness.

Making yoga a part of your daily routines adds up to your self-care.