International Yoga Day 2021: Meaning, Theme, History, Significance

On International Yoga Day, it’s common for people to join together in communal spaces to practise yoga. The day raises awareness of the benefits of yoga. The word 'Yoga' is derived from Sanskrit which means "to join or to unite". It is said that the word ‘Yoga’ was first mentioned in the sacred text of the Rig Veda. The International Yoga Day has been celebrated annually on 21 June since 2015.

Theme for International Yoga Day 2021:

The theme for the International Day of Yoga this year is 'Yoga for wellness', a motto aligned to the current pre-occupations.

The Prime Minister also launched a mYoga app that will be available worldwide. “In collaboration with WHO, India has taken another important step. We will be launching the mYoga app which will have yoga training videos in different languages for people across the world. This will help us achieve our ‘One World, One Health’ motto,” he added.

The Ministry of Culture is also slated to celebrate the International Day of Yoga at 75 cultural heritage locations across the country.

History of International Yoga Day :

The idea of International Yoga Day was conceived by PM Modi, who proposed the concept on September 27, 2014, during his speech at the UN General Assembly. The resolution to adopt June 21 as International Yoga Day was introduced in the UN by India’s Ambassador, Ashoke Kumar Mukerji.

The resolution had received support from 177 nations, the highest number of co-sponsors for any UN Resolution. Currently, countries ranging from Canada to the USA participate in this event.

Therefore on June 21, 2015, nearly 36,000 people, including Prime Minister Modi, and many other high-profile political figures from all around the world, performed 21 asanas (yoga postures) for 35 minutes in New Delhi in what was the first International Yoga Day, and the day has been celebrated around the globe ever since.

Significance of Yoga Day :

Yoga Day is celebrated across the globe to highlight the importance of Yoga and how it has been beneficial in keeping the body and mind in sound health. Practicing asanas and pranayama regulates the purification of the internal system of the organs. The energy generated in the body through these physical exercises is then channelled into meditation for peace, stability and calm.

PM Modi urged people to observe the day from the confines of their homes due to the coronavirus outbreak. 

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