International Yoga Day is observed annually on June 21.The International Day of Yoga aims to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practicing yoga. The draft resolution establishing the International Day of Yoga was proposed by India. It is said that the word ‘yoga’ was first mentioned in the sacred text of the Rig Veda.
The idea of an International Yoga Day was proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 in the United Nations General Assembly Meeting. This year, the theme is ‘Yoga For Wellness’. Elaborating on it, PM Modi wrote on Twitter: “The theme this year is ‘Yoga ForWellness’, which focuses on practising Yoga for physical and mental wellbeing.”
PM Modi also said that India, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), will launch the M-Yoga application, which will have many videos of yoga training based on Common Yoga Protocol available in different languages of the world. This will help us in making the ”One World, One Health” motto successful, he said.
As it is an event of a global scale, preparations for the International Yoga Day event usually begin 3-4 months prior, ultimately culminating in a grand programme where millions of people come together to observe the spiritual history and significance of the day.
The World Health Organization mentions yoga as a means to improve health in its Global action plan on physical activity 2018–2030: more active people for a healthier world.
UNICEF says kids can practice many yoga poses without any risk and get the same benefits that adults do. These benefits include increased flexibility and fitness, mindfulness and relaxation.
