International Yoga Day, History, Theme 2023 & Significance

International Yoga Day

Every year on June 21, there is an international yoga day. It is a celebration of yoga’s spiritual and physical strength on a global scale. Millions of individuals participate and do so frequently, despite the fact that it is a crucial source of exercise and good activity. These rituals have been used by many people for generations as a way to integrate their body, mind, and soul.

International Yoga Day History

The ancient art of yoga has a connection to the history of Yoga Day. It is a type of exercise and a meditative act that promotes physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Since 3000 BC, yoga has been practised in India, and it plays an important part in old literature like the Rigveda and the Upanishads.

The earliest types of yoga combine physical activity, spirituality, meditation, and fitness. Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism all make reference to it. Yoga was characterized as a way of life in the Patanjali Yoga Sutra of the fourth century BCE. Three varieties of yoga are described in the Mahabharata text:

• Action (karma)
• Dedication (bhakti)
• Knowledge (Jnana)

Together, these three categories bind the body, mind, and soul. Even though yoga has been practised for a very long time in India, the country just recognized International Yoga Day in 2015. The Sanskrit term “yoga” has the literal meaning “to connect” or “to unite.” It represents how the body and consciousness are related.

International Yoga Day was initially proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 27, 2014, during his speech to the United Nations General Assembly. At the time, Asoke Kumar Mukerji, the Indian Ambassador, had sponsored a resolution declaring June 21 as International Yoga Day.

The Summer Solstice, when there is the greatest sunlight throughout the year, falls on June 21, which is why that date was selected. The most nations ever to support a UN resolution, 177 joined together to establish June 21 as International Yoga Day. On June 21, 2015, in New Delhi, nearly 36,000 people participated in the first International Yoga Day, which is now celebrated all over the world. Among them were Prime Minister Modi and numerous other prominent political figures from around the globe.

International Yoga Day 2023 Theme

‘Humanity’ is the focus of International Yoga Day in 2023. The festivities surrounding International Yoga Day seek to raise awareness of the holistic benefits of yoga and to promote it as a daily practice for better health all around the world.

International Yoga Day Logo

The logo’s folded hands represent yoga, the union, which represents the fusion of a person’s consciousness with that of the universe, a perfect balance between the mind and body, and between man and nature; and a wholistic approach to health and well-being. The green leaves represent nature, the blue leaves the water element, the brightness the fire element, and the Sun the source of all life. The brown leaves represent the Earth element. The yoga practice’s core values of peace and harmony for all people are reflected in the logo.

International Yoga Day Celebration

There are no established traditions because International Yoga Day is a relatively new holiday. Contrarily, yoga is an age-old discipline that renews the mind and soothes the soul. The day’s objective is to encourage newcomers to adopt a yogic way of life and align with their inner chakra.

Yoga beginners group together and create their own sequence of postures while meditating to their favorite peaceful music. Prior to starting the practice, new yoga mats and yoga pants are bought. Yoga practitioners who are already skilled play around with novel combinations and teach it to their friends. Additionally, instructors offer unique group yoga retreats.

International Day of Yoga Significance

The Sadgurus are honoured on June 21. The summer solstice falls on this day as well. The North Pole tilts towards the sun at the June solstice, or we may say that the sun starts to migrate southward. According to yoga, this is the transitional phase, which makes it a better time for meditation.

Adiyogi, the original yogi, travelled to the south at Sankranti or Uttarayan (about June 21), when he first saw the seven royal sages who would later become his first followers. They have disseminated the science of yoga throughout the world.

It’s incredible that this crucial moment in human history occurs on June 21. This day, which falls on the Northern Hemisphere’s longest day of the year, is significant around the world.

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