International Day of Yoga 2025
Events, History and Significance
This year, we celebrate a milestone – the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Yoga on 21st June 2025. Over the past decade, yoga has moved from ancient texts and ashrams into modern living rooms, yoga studios, schools, offices and parks. This is the right moment to reflect on the origins of this remarkable day, how it has evolved over the years, and why this day holds more importance as we go forward. It began with a cultural proposal which has now gained immense popularity because it united people across countries, languages, and lifestyles.
A Popular Proposal
In September 2014, India’s Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, addressed the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) with a proposal to declare June 21, the Summer Solstice and the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere, as the International Day of Yoga. This resolution received an unprecedented support as 177 countries co-sponsored it – the highest number ever for any UNGA resolution. On December 11, 2014, the UN formally declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga.
Importance of the Summer Solstice
June 21 marks the Summer Solstice and In Indian tradition, symbolically represents the beginning of Dakshinayana — a time traditionally associated with spiritual inwardness. On this day, ancient yogic lore informs us that Lord Shiva, began teaching his disciples, the Saptarishis. Hence June 21 symbolises the beginning of yogic teaching and is the perfect day to honour this ancient practice.
A Historic Moment – IDY 2015
On June 21, 2015, Rajpath in New Delhi witnessed a spectacular gathering of 35,985 people including students, the Prime Minister of India and other government officials, and yoga sadhaks from 84 nationalities. Two Guinness World Records were set on this first International Day of Yoga as follows:
Since that day in 2015, this celebration has continued to grow in scale and spirit.
IDY Timeline Over the Years (2015 – 2024)
2016 -2019: Awareness about Yoga
In these years, yoga rapidly became more popular and spread to schools, universities, corporate offices, and even prisons. In promoting yoga overseas, Indian embassies played a very important role by conducting public events and hosting cultural exchanges. Gradually, Yoga’s holistic approach gained respect in global wellness communities.
2020 -2021: During the Pandemic
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, there were no large gatherings. However, it did not hinder the practice of Yoga – it adapted and moved to virtual gatherings. Millions joined virtual yoga sessions from the comfort of their homes.
The themes during these years were:
2020 – Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family
2021 – Yoga for Wellness
These themes focused on stress relief, mental wellness, and the importance of building immunity during uncertain times.
2022 – 2024: Revival and Reflection
As soon as life returned to normalcy, Yoga was practiced in public parks and grand stages around the world. Hybrid events – which involved offline and online participation – brought more people to yoga. The notable themes during these years were:
2022 – Yoga for Humanity
2023 – Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (One Earth, One Family, One Future)
2024 – Yoga for Self and Society
Each of these themes marked the role yoga played in connecting the personal with the universal.
International Day of Yoga 2025: Planned Events and Highlights
The 11th edition of IDY, which will be celebrated on Saturday, June 21, 2025, in more than 100 countries will include the following events:
India – National Event at Kashi Vishwanath Dham, Varanasi
This year, the main national event will be hosted in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, at the Kashi Vishwanath temple complex, where the Prime Minister is expected to lead the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) session. The location—a timeless spiritual centre—is a fitting choice for a practice rooted in inner discipline and divine awareness.
UN Headquarters, New York
A sunrise yoga session is being held along the East River near the UN building, bringing together international dignitaries, diplomats, and yoga organizations.
Tokyo, Japan
A special day-long celebration at the Meiji Shrine is blending Indian yoga with traditional Japanese mindfulness practices.
Africa, Latin America, and Australia
Indian embassies and local communities in countries like Kenya, Brazil, and Australia are organizing inclusive yoga sessions, with themes related to climate action, indigenous wellness traditions, and youth empowerment.
Theme for 2025: "One Earth, One Health"
This year’s theme, “One Earth, One Health” stems from the idea that the environment, human beings, animals, and ecosystems are all interconnected. What affects the planet, affects us.
The last few years — with pandemics, floods, heatwaves, and rising diseases — have exposed how ecological imbalance reflects in our bodies and minds. As pollution rises, so do respiratory illnesses. As green spaces shrink, so does mental peace.
A sutra in the Puranas states:
यत् पिण्डे तत् ब्रह्माण्डे
That which is within your body is also in the cosmos. The microcosm is not separate from the macrocosm. This sutra emphasises the fact that we are a part of nature and therefore it is important that we should live in harmony with nature. The health of the Pinda (microcosm — the body) and the Brahmanda (macrocosm — the universe) are reflections of each other. We cannot nourish one while neglecting the other.
"One Earth, One Health" is a call to:
This theme is especially timely as the world faces rising lifestyle diseases, mental health crises, and environmental imbalance.
The Significance of International Day of Yoga
Restoring Authentic Yoga
Yoga is more than exercise. International Day of Yoga has helped revive the original eightfold path (Ashtanga Yoga)—including yama, niyama, pranayama, and dhyana—not just asanas.
Cultural Diplomacy
Yoga is now a soft power symbol of India. Through IDY, the world experiences not just the physical practice but the philosophy of unity, balance, and self-realization.
Public Health Revolution
Hospitals, schools, and corporations now recognize yoga as a tool for preventive health.
WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine was inaugurated in Jamnagar, Gujarat in April 2022 —reflecting yoga’s growing acceptance.
Youth and Education
More institutions now integrate yoga into daily routines to manage exam pressure, digital addiction, and behavioural issues in children and teens.
Inclusivity
Yoga is no longer limited by class, language, or age. On IDY, people living in slum communities, tribal belts, rural schools, and urban skyscrapers all come together to practice yoga.
Yoga in Action – a Global Movement
Owing to the IDY celebrations over the last ten years, yoga has transcended geographical and cultural boundaries. In every continent, people are embracing it not just for health but for inner peace and spiritual awakening. Here are a few global reflections of “One Earth, One Health” in action:
Yoga groups in urban areas are growing organic vegetables, combining asana sessions with tree-planting.
In Japan, shinrin-yoku or forest bathing is gaining popularity. Many yoga teachers now hold classes in parks, reconnecting participants with natural rhythms.
In India, from Alibaug to Goa, eco-friendly yoga retreats are educating people on low-impact travel, sustainable food, and conscious living.
As digital overload takes a toll, yoga offers practical ways to reclaim stillness. Mauna, screen-free hours, and mindful movement are increasingly part of wellness programs.
How You Can Celebrate International Day of Yoga 2025
Indian Wisdom and Global Relevance
The world is turning to India for answers, and rightly so. Our ancient texts — the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Yoga Sutras, and Ayurveda — all speak in one voice: harmony within leads to harmony outside.
Yoga has its roots in Indian philosophical and spiritual traditions. It is a practical discipline that focuses on personal growth, self-realization, and general good health.
In olden times, the Gurus experienced a higher state of consciousness and students also wanted to reach the same state. Spiritual knowledge was passed down through the Guru Shishya Parampara. In this way, all classical schools of Yoga can trace their lineage by going backward into time.
For example, Hatha Yoga traditions began with Guru Matsyendranath to various other Nath Yogis. The classical Yoga of Maharshi Patanjali’s is called Ashtanga Yoga. It effectively provides a holistic approach to self-development, giving importance to all dimensions of human existence – mental, physical, and spiritual. As the ages passed, several styles of Yoga developed from the classical Yoga traditions.
Over a century ago, Shri Yogendraji made Yoga accessible to people from all walks of life, especially householders. Shri Yogendraji’s emphasis on a scientific approach to Yoga, combined with simplicity, laid the foundation for The Yoga Institute. His focus on spreading the benefits of Yoga to a wide audience, maintaining the integrity of Maharshi Patanjali’s teachings, emphasizing continuous research, and dedicating himself to serving the community through Yoga education, has definitely influenced contemporary Yoga practices. In recent times, we have also seen Yoga gurus such as Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Shri Iyengar, Baba Ramdev and others teach Yoga in various styles based on the original traditional methods.
In the West, many new styles of Yoga have emerged such as Power Yoga and Vinyasa Yoga. These modern styles mostly emphasize the physical aspect of Yoga, sometimes at the expense of its meditative and spiritual components. While these variations can make Yoga more accessible to a broader audience, they may not always capture the essence of traditional Yoga practices.
What You Can Do - A Personal Practice
One Earth, One Health begins with each of us. You don’t need to be a yoga teacher to walk the path. Start where you are. Here are a few simple steps:
Overview
The International Day of Yoga is not a one-day event. It is a reminder—that healing, balance, and consciousness begin with small, daily choices. As we celebrate IDY 2025, let this day not be the peak but the beginning of a deeper commitment.
IDY 2025 is a celebration of health, heritage, and harmony. As nations gather in unison, one message echoes through every stretch and breath: that the path to a healthier planet begins within.
A Yogic Vision for the Future
The challenges we face today — environmental disasters, lifestyle diseases, loneliness — cannot be solved by science alone. They require wisdom. A deeper shift in consciousness. A change in how we see ourselves — not as consumers of the Earth, but caretakers.
Yoga is that bridge — between self-care and planetary care, between ancient insight and modern need.
This International Day of Yoga 2025, let us make a sankalpa not just to practice yoga, but to live with compassion, awareness, and responsibility.
Let our breath flow with the rhythm of rivers.
Let our thoughts rise like morning sun.
Let our actions be like rain — nourishing, humble, and timely.
After all, when the Earth heals, we heal. And when we heal, the Earth smiles.
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