International Day of Yoga is observed on 21st June every year since 2015. It is notable that 21st June is the Summer Solstice meaning the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
History
On 27th September 2014, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, during his speech at United Nations General Assembly Proposed this idea.
Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help in well being. Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day.
Shri Narendra Modi – UNGA
Subsequently, UNGA held an informal consultation on the draft resolution named International Day of Yoga on 14th October 2014. After that, the formal draft resolution was introduced on 11th December 2014. A total of 177 states co-sponsored the resolution. Then the resolution was adopted.
International Day of Yoga 2015
The international community observed the first yoga day on 21st June 2015. In Rajpath NewDelhi, 35,985 people practiced 21 yoga postures for 35 minutes. Also, Prime minister Narendra Modi along with dignitaries from 84 nations participated in the event. Furthermore, it has become the largest yoga class ever held. On the first yoga day, two Guinness records were broken. One for the largest yoga class and another for 84 participating nationalities.
Besides, in San Francisco on the day, 5000 people gathered to practice yoga.
Subsequently, the Reserve Bank of India issued a ten-rupee coin in 2015.
International Day of Yoga 2016
Next year, the Ministry of AYUSH organized the event at Chandigarh. Also, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the event. UN organized celebrations on 25th and 26th June.
International Day of Yoga 2017
In 2017, 51000 people participated the event in Lucknow. As usual, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated. The theme for this year was Yoga for Health.
Likewise, in New York, more than a thousand people gathered to practice yoga poses. Even in China, 10000 people participated in the city of Wuxi. Also, in Athens, the event took place on 25th June. Similarly, in Kyiv, the event took place on the 18th of June and a few hundred people participated.
Also, United Nations Postal Administration issued ten stamps of yoga poses in April 2017. During the same month, Japan created a parliamentary league to promote yoga.
International Day of Yoga 2018
In India, the event was held at Forest Research Institute in Dehradun. Prime Minister Modi also participated in the gathering of 50000 participants. The theme of this year was Yoga for Peace.
In the city of Kota in Rajasthan, 100000 people gathered to practice. It created a Guinness Record,
International Day of Yoga 2019
Though the yoga celebrations are across the nation in India, the main event was organized at Ranchi. As usual, Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined the event with 40000 participants. This year’s theme was Yoga for Heart.
On 20th June, in the city of Vadodara, over 1000 participants performed 108 Sun Salutations starting from 4.30 am to 6.10 am.
International Day of Yoga 2020
This year was the year of pandemics. Hence the theme was Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family. No outdoor event took place this year.
International Day of Yoga 2021
Also, this year, in the midst of Covid-induced stress and isolation, the Indian Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) is taking various steps to improve the acceptance and adoption of the practice of yoga in India and abroad.
Common Yoga Protocol
One such step is the training program called Common Yoga Protocol or simply CYP. The program is the spirit of the International Day of Yoga.
CYP is one of the most popular Yoga Programs across the world. Moreover, people widely practice this program on the International day of yoga every year.
It encourages congruity among the participants who observe the yoga day. Moreover, it is easy to learn through online classes. Also, it is suitable for all people irrespective of their age and gender.
This Program includes safe practices that improve the physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual health of the practitioners. Leading Yoga Gurus and experts have developed this protocol.
The Ministry of AYUSH in association with Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga organizes this program.
Objectives of Common Yoga Protocol
The program aims to
- disseminate the knowledge and skill of yoga among the masses
- increase public awareness about the benefits of yoga
- introduce the basic wellness principles and practices to the general public
- promote positive health through yoga practices and
- spread and promote yoga for preventive practices to achieve holistic health
Details of Online Event
The Program will commence at 7 am on the 1st day of every month from February 2021 to June 2021. The medium of instruction is Hindi and English. Social Media Platforms like MDNIY, MoAYUSH, NIN, and CCRYN will stream the event live. There is no fee for participation. However, a nominal fee of Rs.250 is charged for Volunteer Certification.
The event consists of four levels and a total duration of 36 hours.
| Practice | Days | Minutes Daily |
|---|---|---|
| Yoga Appreciation Program | 4 | 45 min |
| CYP – Introduction Program | 12 | 90 min |
| CYP – Yoga Sadhana | 6 | 90 min |
| CYP – Self Practice – Assessment -Certification | 2 | 180 min |
| Total | 36 | 36 hrs |
Source: PIB
