There has never been a better time to start the ancient practice of Yoga.
<ul>
<li>The ongoing pandemic and its resulting restrictions have increased psychological problems and mental health issues in billions.</li>
<li>Yoga takes care of an individual's physical and mental well-being in a way that is unparalleled to anything else.</li>
<li>Yoga is for ‘holistic health’, helping in the prevention of all kinds of diseases and eradicating problems already present in the body.</li>
</ul>

Yoga: A Gift To The World

Yoga (roughly translated as To Unite) is an ancient Hindu practice that takes care of the physical, mental and spiritual dimensions of a human being.
It originated from India thousands of years ago and symbolizes the joining of mind, body and consciousness.
It consists of hundreds of postures, breathing exercises and meditations.

The Meaning Of Yoga

“Yoga cultivates the ways of maintaining a balanced attitude in day-to-day life and endows skill in the performance of one’s actions.”

In 2014, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the proposal to establish June 21st(the longest day of the year) as the International Day Of Yoga to the United Nations. 
It was swiftly accepted and endorsed by over 175 member states.

June 21st: International Day Of Yoga

<img src="https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/styles/banner-image-style-27-10/public/yoga2020.jpg?itok=noHFj3cr" alt="people practicing yoga at home" title="Annie Hartkemeyer, Eli Wolff and daughter, and German A Bravo-Casas" width="720" height="267"><div dir="ltr">
 Left: Anne Hartkemeyer in “VrikshaVasisthasana”; Centre: Former USA soccer Paralympian and sport for development educator and advocate Eli Wolff doing yoga with his 2-year-old daughter; Right: Germán A Bravo-Casas, President, UNSRC Yoga club. 
 </div><div dir="ltr">
 Photo:UNSRC and E. Wolff.
 </div><h2>2021 Theme: Yoga for well-being</h2>The Day&nbsp;will be marked at a time when COVID-19 pandemic continues to upend lives and livelihoods of people globally.&nbsp;Beyond its immediate impact on physical health, the COVID-19 pandemic has also exacerbated psychological suffering and mental health problems, including depression and anxiety, as pandemic-related restrictions continue in various forms in many countries. This has highlighted the urgent need to address the mental health dimension of the pandemic, in addition to the physical health aspects.&nbsp;The message of Yoga in promoting both the physical and mental well-being of humanity has never been more relevant. A growing trend of people around the world embracing Yoga to stay healthy and rejuvenated and to fight social isolation and depression has been witnessed during the pandemic. Yoga is also playing a significant role in the psycho-social care and rehabilitation of COVID-19 patients in quarantine and isolation. It is particularly helpful in allaying their fears and anxiety.Recognizing this important role of Yoga, this year’s commemoration of the International Day of Yoga focuses&nbsp;on “Yoga for well-being” -&nbsp;how the practice of Yoga can promote the holistic health of every individual.&nbsp;The United Nations offers yoga resources to its personnel and others on the <a href="https://www.un.org/en/coronavirus/wellness" dir="ltr">COVID-19 portal's section on Wellness</a>.The World Health Organization mentions yoga as a means to improve health in its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.who.int/ncds/prevention/physical-activity/global-action-plan-2018-2030/en/" dir="ltr">Global action plan on physical activity 2018–2030: more active people for a healthier world</a>.&nbsp;UNICEF says kids can practice many <a href="https://www.unicefkidpower.org/yoga-poses-for-kids/" dir="ltr">yoga poses</a> without any risk and get the same benefits that adults do. These benefits include increased flexibility and fitness, mindfulness and relaxation.<h3>2021 virtual event</h3>The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations invites you to an online celebration of the 7th annual International Yoga Day on 21 June 2021, from 8:30 to 10:00 am EST, to be broadcast live on <a href="http://webtv.un.org/" dir="ltr">UN WebTV</a>.&nbsp;The event will open&nbsp;with messages from the&nbsp;President of the United Nations General Assembly&nbsp;and the&nbsp;Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, which will be followed by&nbsp;demonstrations of Yoga exercises&nbsp;(asanas) to improve physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health and an&nbsp;Interactive panel discussion&nbsp;on “Yoga for well-being.”&nbsp;<img alt="" src="https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/7th_international_day_of_yoga.png" width="690" height="388"><h3>What is Yoga and why do we celebrate it?</h3>Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. The word ‘yoga’ derives from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness.Today it is practiced in various forms around the world and continues to grow in popularity.Recognizing its universal appeal, on 11 December 2014, the United Nations proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of Yoga by&nbsp;<a href="http://undocs.org/A/RES/69/131" dir="ltr">resolution 69/131</a>.The International Day of Yoga aims to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practicing yoga.The draft resolution establishing the International Day of Yoga was proposed by India and endorsed by a record 175 member states. The proposal was first introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address during the opening of the 69th session of the General Assembly, in which he said: “Yoga is an invaluable gift from our ancient tradition. Yoga embodies unity of mind and body, thought and action ... a holistic approach [that] is valuable to our health and our well-being. Yoga is not just about exercise; it is a way to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature.”The resolution notes “the importance of individuals and populations making healthier choices and following lifestyle patterns that foster good health.” In this regard, the World Health Organization has also urged its member states to help their citizens reduce physical inactivity, which is among the top ten leading causes of death worldwide, and a key risk factor for non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes.But yoga is more than a physical activity. In the words of one of its most famous practitioners, the late B. K. S. Iyengar, “Yoga cultivates the ways of maintaining a balanced attitude in day-to-day life and endows skill in the performance of one’s actions.”<img alt="International Yoga Day logo" src="https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/yoga-logo.jpg" width="606" height="762">

Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. International Yoga Day aims to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practicing yoga.

health

Health

exerciseandfitness

Exercise & Fitness

The Day will be marked at a time when COVID-19 pandemic continues to upend lives and livelihoods of people globally.

Beyond its immediate impact on physical health, the COVID-19 pandemic has also exacerbated psychological suffering and mental health problems, including depression and anxiety, as pandemic-related restrictions continue in various forms in many countries. This has highlighted the urgent need to address the mental health dimension of the pandemic, in addition to the physical health aspects.

The message of Yoga in promoting both the physical and mental well-being of humanity has never been more relevant. A growing trend of people around the world embracing Yoga to stay healthy and rejuvenated and to fight social isolation and depression has been witnessed during the pandemic. Yoga is also playing a significant role in the psycho-social care and rehabilitation of COVID-19 patients in quarantine and isolation. It is particularly helpful in allaying their fears and anxiety.

Recognizing this important role of Yoga, this year’s commemoration of the International Day of Yoga focuses on “Yoga for well-being” - how the practice of Yoga can promote the holistic health of every individual.

The United Nations offers yoga resources to its personnel and others on the <a href="https://www.un.org/en/coronavirus/wellness">COVID-19 portal's section on Wellness </a>.

The World Health Organization mentions yoga as a means to improve health in its <a href="https://www.who.int/ncds/prevention/physical-activity/global-action-plan-2018-2030/en/">Global action plan on physical activity 2018–2030: more active people for a healthier world </a>.

UNICEF says kids can practice many <a href="https://www.unicefkidpower.org/yoga-poses-for-kids/">yoga poses </a>without any risk and get the same benefits that adults do. These benefits include increased flexibility and fitness, mindfulness and relaxation.

The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations invites you to an online celebration of the 7th annual International Yoga Day on 21 June 2021, from 8:30 to 10:00 am EST , to be broadcast live on <a href="http://webtv.un.org/">UN WebTV </a>.

The event will open with messages from the President of the United Nations General Assembly and the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, which will be followed by demonstrations of Yoga exercises (asanas) to improve physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health and an Interactive panel discussion on “Yoga for well-being.”

Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. The word ‘yoga’ derives from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness.

Today it is practiced in various forms around the world and continues to grow in popularity.

Recognizing its universal appeal, on 11 December 2014, the United Nations proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of Yoga by <a href="http://undocs.org/A/RES/69/131">resolution 69/131 </a>.

The International Day of Yoga aims to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practicing yoga.

The draft resolution establishing the International Day of Yoga was proposed by India and endorsed by a record 175 member states. The proposal was first introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address during the opening of the 69th session of the General Assembly, in which he said: “Yoga is an invaluable gift from our ancient tradition. Yoga embodies unity of mind and body, thought and action ... a holistic approach [that] is valuable to our health and our well-being. Yoga is not just about exercise; it is a way to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature.”

The resolution notes “the importance of individuals and populations making healthier choices and following lifestyle patterns that foster good health.” In this regard, the World Health Organization has also urged its member states to help their citizens reduce physical inactivity, which is among the top ten leading causes of death worldwide, and a key risk factor for non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes.

But yoga is more than a physical activity. In the words of one of its most famous practitioners, the late B. K. S. Iyengar, “Yoga cultivates the ways of maintaining a balanced attitude in day-to-day life and endows skill in the performance of one’s actions.”

International Day of Yoga | United Nations

Yoga: A Gift To The World

The Meaning Of Yoga

B. K. S. IYENGAR

June 21st: International Day Of Yoga

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