International Yoga Day 2024: Date, Theme, Facts, Significance, History

International Day of Yoga 2024 will be observed worldwide on June 21, 2024 with the aim to raise awareness about the numerous benefits of practicing yoga. The day began to be observed since 2015 as a result of the efforts made by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 21 June was selected for observing this day as it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and also has a special significance in other parts of the world.

International Yoga Day 2024 Date

Below mentioned are the upcoming dates for International Yoga Day for the next 5 years.

Find the list of all important days in June

International Yoga Day 2024 Overview

Interesting Facts about Yoga

Check out some interesting facts about Yoga.

1. According to Hindu mythology, Shiva is the Supreme Lord of Yoga.

2. 85-year-old Bette Calman from Australia holds the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s oldest yoga teacher.

3. Research has shown that practicing yoga can delay aging and has many other health benefits.

4. Until 1937, yoga classes were meant just for men and women were not allowed entry. Currently 76% yoga practitioners are women.

5. The longest recorded lesson of yoga lasted for 56 hours.

6. Yoga was first introduced to the Western World in 1893 by Hindu leader Swami Vivekananda.

7. There are eight branches in yoga- Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi.

8. Male yoga practitioners are called Yogi and female yoga practitioners are called yogini.

9. Yoga can delay the inception of Alzheimer’s disease and is helpful in stress, depression and anxiety.

10. 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.

International Yoga Day Significance

Yoga has countless benefits for body, mind and soul. It promotes self-healing, enhances self-awareness, helps in attainment of equilibrium and harmony and much more. Yoga activates the parasympathetic nervous system that reduces stress and tension in the physical body.

By changing our lifestyle and accommodating yoga in daily routine, it can help in well-being. Keeping all these benefits of Yoga in mind, it was considered necessary to observe the International Day of Yoga.

History of International Yoga Day

During his speech at the United Nations General Assembly on 27 September 2014, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi stared the benefits of yoga. At the same time, he also proposed the idea of an International Day of Yoga. A draft resolution was also introduced in the General Assembly on 11 December 2014.

The draft received support from 177 Member States and many global leaders and was adopted without a vote.

International Yoga Day 2024 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 was “Humanity”.

2024 Theme: “Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (Yoga for the World as One Family)

International Yoga Day 2024 Celebration

If you are new to Yoga, you can start the celebration by beginning the practice of yoga. Learn some basic asanas or pranayams and practice it on your terrace or in a nearby park. Make sure to be in an outside surrounding with fresh morning air. If you are already a yogi, try to teach your friends about the benefit of yoga and make them practice with you.

Many camps and events are organized by different institutions for promotion of Yoga where different benefits as well as basic asanas are taught to people. You can take part in such events to learn more about yoga.

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