June 21st is celebrated as International Yoga Day worldwide, this is a global movement to unite millions of people globally to celebrate the ancient discipline of Yoga. This year is the 11th International Yoga Day with the theme ‘Yoga for Unity and Sustainability’ which highlights the role of yoga not just in individual well-being but also in creating harmony with nature and society.
A Global Celebration
The honourable Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi proposed the idea of observing International Yoga Day while addressing the United Nations General Assembly in the year 2014. In his speech, he highlighted the importance of Yoga, which is an ancient tradition of India, and how implementing Yoga can better our lifestyle. His call for global recognition for Yoga received massive support with over 170 countries co-sponsored the resolution.
June 21st, the longest day of the year was chosen to commemorate International Yoga Day, a symbol of collective global consciousness through yoga. From Himalayan terrains to Times Square, from small villages to populous cities, people from all parts of the world celebrate this day with great zeal. They come together, do meditation, perform yoga asanas and celebrate the philosophy of Yoga.
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Role of Yoga Gurus in Making Yoga Day a Movement Worldwide
One of the primary reasons that made Yoga accessible and acceptable globally should be the tireless efforts made by Yoga Gurus. They have dedicated their entire life to teaching Yoga and helping people benefit from Yogic practices. Yoga Gurus like Swami Sivananda and B.K.S. Iyengar have played a crucial role in taking yoga beyond India.
Equally significant is Baba Ramdev, the face of Patanjali Yogpeeth, who has been instrumental in bringing yoga into the mainstream in India and abroad. For many decades, Baba Ramdev is actively involved in Yoga and organises large-scale yoga camps that are also broadcasted on TV and digital platforms to reach a wider audience. His dedication has helped millions of people turn to Yoga to get rid of both chronic and acute health issues, thereby living a healthy and active life. He emphasises doing breathing exercises(pranayamas) and physical exercises(asanas) to reclaim health and well-being.
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Influence of Yoga Movement
While people were aware of Yoga before, it is after International Yoga Day that it got popularised. Yoga gurus have played a pivotal role in democratising access to yoga which was otherwise limited to spiritual centres and retreats. Through awareness, Yoga became a part of common people’s daily routine and now almost every home has one Yoga enthusiast.
Looking Ahead: Yoga as a Way of Life
As we celebrate International Yoga Day 2025, the focus should not be limited to physical fitness but also mental wellness, emotional balance and environmental consciousness. As we all know, stress has become an inevitable part of our lives, we need something that can rejuvenate our mind and body altogether and what’s better than Yoga.
The movement that started in India has now become a global movement, thanks to the collective efforts of Yoga gurus, yoga institutions and yoga practitioners. In a world of uncertainty, Yoga is a powerful tool that can bring peace and positivity to our mind and body.