International Yoga Day 2023: Know Its History, Significance

New Delhi: International Yoga Day is annually observed on June 21.  The day was first proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 and was officially adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015.

History

On September 27, 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested establishing the International Day of Yoga during his address to the United Nations General Assembly. He proposed making June 21 the International Day of Yoga since it is the summer solstice, which has special importance in many parts of the world.

The proposal garnered overwhelming support from UN member countries, resulting in the approval of a resolution on December 11, 2014. The resolution acknowledged Yoga’s overall advantages for physical and mental health and stressed its significance in creating a balanced lifestyle.

On June 21, 2015, the first International Day of Yoga was observed. The primary event was held in New Delhi with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading a public Yoga demonstration attended by lakhs of people, including dignitaries from around the world.

Simultaneously, similar celebrations were organised in various parts of India and around the world, emphasising the day’s global significance. Since then, the International Day of Yoga has been observed annually on June 21.

International Yoga Day 2023: Significance

International Yoga Day is a great opportunity to learn more about yoga and its benefits. There are many ways to celebrate International Yoga Day, including attending a yoga class, practising yoga at home, or simply taking some time to relax and breathe deeply.