International Day of Yoga 21 June 2023 | Theme and History

International Day of Yoga 21 June 2023 | Theme and History

International Yoga Day is celebrated every year on June 21st to promote the numerous benefits of practicing yoga. The chosen date coincides with the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. This day serves as a platform to raise awareness about the holistic approach to well-being that yoga offers. It highlights the importance of finding balance in our fast-paced, modern lives and encourages physical, mental, and spiritual harmony. Yoga fosters mindfulness, stress reduction, and overall health and vitality.

In its 9th edition, this year’s International Day of Yoga will be led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the UN Headquarters on June 21st. This marks the first time a yoga session will be conducted by the Prime Minister at this location.

History of International Yoga Day 2023?

Prime Minister took an initiative to propose the International Day of Yoga on September 27, 2014, during his speech to the UN General Assembly. According to PM Modi, yoga is a gift of India that may improve people’s health and happiness worldwide. On December 11, 2014, 193 of the UN’s member countries decided to observe June 21 as the International Day of Yoga. The commemoration of the first day occurred on June 21, 2015.

International Yoga Day 2023 Theme :

Every year the Yoga Day is celebrated with a new and unique theme. The theme for International Yoga Day 2022 was “Yoga for Humanity”.

The theme of International Yoga Day 2023 is “Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”.

International Yoga Day 2023 Significance :

The significance of International Yoga Day is to raise awareness of the many benefits of yoga for physical and mental health. Yoga is a mind-body practice that originated in India thousands of years ago. It combines physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation. Yoga has been shown to improve flexibility, strength, balance, and endurance. It can also help to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.

The primary objective of the International Day of Yoga is to raise awareness about yoga as a holistic practice for mental and physical well-being. This observance holds great importance in shedding light on the importance of psychological and physical wellness in today’s world. Furthermore, the day encourages the cultivation of a regular meditation practice to foster mental clarity and self-awareness, essential for thriving in a stress-free environment.

Benefits of Yoga :

• Yoga improves flexibility
• Yoga helps with stress relief
• Yoga improves mental health
• Yoga reduce inflammation
• Yoga will increase your strength
• Yoga reduce anxiety
• Yoga improve quality of life
• Yoga boost immunity
• Yoga can improve balance
• Yoga may improve cardiovascular functioning
• Yoga may help improve sleep
• Yoga may improve self-esteem
• Yoga may improve bone health
• Yoga can promote better posture and body awareness
• Yoga can improve brain functioning

Previous themes of International Yoga Day :

Interesting Facts about Yoga :

• According to Hindu mythology, Shiva is the Supreme Lord of Yoga.
• 85-year-old Bette Calman from Australia holds the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s oldest yoga teacher.
• Research has shown that practicing yoga can delay aging and has many other health benefits.
• Until 1937, yoga classes were meant just for men and women were not allowed entry. Currently 76% yoga practitioners are women.
• The longest recorded lesson of yoga lasted for 56 hours.
• Yoga was first introduced to the Western World in 1893 by Hindu leader Swami Vivekananda.
• There are eight branches in yoga- Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi.
• Male yoga practitioners are called Yogi and female yoga practitioners are called yogini.
• Yoga can delay the inception of Alzheimer’s disease and is helpful in stress, depression and anxiety.
• The top 10 most popular yoga poses are The Lotus Pose, Child’s Pose, Downward Facing Dog, Triangle Pose, Half Lord of the Fishes, The Crane Pose, Head to Knee Forward Bend, Standing Forward Bend, The Cobra Pose and The Supported Shoulder stand.