The increased global acceptance of Yoga has made IDY a mass movement for health and well-being. Based on scientific evidence, millions of healthcare workers and COVID-19 patients recovered fast after practising Yogasana, pranayama, and meditation. 2 Guinness world records were set for the maximum number of people and the maximum number of nationalities participating in a mass Yoga demonstration in 2015 on Internationa Day of Yoga. The International Day of Yoga is also known as Yoga Day, World Yoga Day, International Yoga Day, and UN International Yoga Day.
Top 10 Facts about International Day of Yoga
- The theme of this year’s International Day of Yoga, “Yoga for Humanity,” denotes healing our mind, body, and spirit while giving back to society.
- Yoga Day will be held this year in Mysuru Palace, Mysuru, Karnataka. She will lead the event: Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India. About 15000 participants are expected to participate in the event.
- Mysore is chosen for the International Day of Yoga because it is the of Yogis, which gave birth to ‘the father of modern yoga’, Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya; Mysuru is the cultural capital (Sanskritik Rajdhani) of Karnataka. Famous for Mysuru Pak, Mysuru Sandalwood, and the Mysuru Mallige flower, it symbolises purity, sacredness, graceful simplicity, and sincerity, depicting the city’s ethos in the most simplistic form.
- The Ministry of Ayush, along with Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, has started a campaign 100 days, 100 cities and 100 organisations between 13 March 2022 and 21″ June 2022 across the globe to give a more comprehensive promotion and publicity to various dimensions of Yoga and its utility and also to Health, Well-Being and World peace.
- The Guardian Ring program covers Japan in the East. It continues the relay with the movement of the Sun to San Francisco/California in the West, showcasing the sun’s motion in 16 time zones in 75 countries. From Norway in the North to Argentina in the South, yoga is found all around the globe.
- The government of India is celebrating 75 years of Independence, and Yoga, an integral part of ancient Indian culture and heritage, is an essential part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. With the focus on Branding India globally, CYP demonstrations will be conducted at 75 iconic heritage sites nationwide.
- Digital and Static exhibitions will be the attraction of this year’s yoga day, as the ministry is leaving no stone unturned to show the efficacy of yoga in the light of modern technology. These exhibitions will showcase the penetration of technology in Yoga.
- The Startup Yoga Challenge Contest is new to Yoga Day. Involving startups and individuals who have developed products (devices, software applications, or both) related to yoga to track the treatment delivery and outcome trajectory over time will provide valuable health-related information about these interventions.
- The Ministry of Ayush has developed many IT-based mobile applications such as Namaste Yoga, Bhuvan Yoga App, Y-Break, WHO mYoga, and Yoga portal to raise awareness about yoga and to make IDY accessible to all the people across the globe.
- The ministry promotes IDY through social media handles, including MyGov, Koo, Common Service Centre, Community Radio, and other media sources.
Yoga Day Yoga poses
- Prayer
- Sadilaja/Calana Kriyas /Loosening Practices
- Shoulder’s Movement
- Trunk Movement
- Knee Movement
- Palm Tree Posture (Tadasana)
- The Tree Posture (Vriksasana)
- The Hands Feet Posture (Padahastasana)
- The Half Wheel Posture (Ardha Chakrasana)
- The Triangle Posture (Trikonasana)
- The Firm/Auspicious Posture (Bhadrasana)
- Thunderbolt Posture (Vajrasana)
- The Half Camel Posture (Ardha Ustrasana)
- Camel Posture (Ustrasana)
- The Hare Posture (Sasakasana)
- Stretched up-frog posture (Uttan Mandukasana)
- The Spinal Twist Posture (Vakrasana)
- The Crocodile Posture (Makarasana)
- The Cobra Posture (Bhujangasana)
- The Locust Posture (Salbhasana)
- The Bridge Posture (Setubandhasana)
- Raised feet posture (Uttanpadasana)
- Half plough posture (Ardhahalasana)
- The Wind Releasing Posture (Pavanmuktasana)
- The Dead Body Posture (Savasana)
- Kapalbhati
- Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadishodhanaor AnulomaViloma Pranayama)
- Sitali Pranayama
- Bhramri Pranayama
- Dhyana
IDY Facts and Figures
Year (Venue) | Estimated Participation |
2015 (Rajpath, Delhi) | 35985 (Main event) |
2016 (Chandigarh) | 30000 (Main event) |
2017 (Lucknow) | 51000 (Main event) |
2018 (Dehradun) | 9.59 Crore (overall) |
2019 (Ranchi) | 13.0 Crore (overall) |
2020 (Virtual) | 12.06 Crore (general) |
2021 (Virtual) | 15.686 Crore (overall) |
The theme of Yoga Day
- 2015: Yoga for Harmony and Peace
- 2016: Yoga for the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals
- 2017: Yoga for Health
- 2018: Yoga for Peace
- 2019: Yoga for Heart
- 2020: Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family
- 2021:Yoga for Wellness
- 2022: Yoga For Humanity
What India achieved in the last Seven IDY
- India’s cherished cultural heritage, Yoga, was inscribed on UNESCO’s representative list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity on 1st December 2016.
- Over one crore people performed Surya Namaskar across the globe on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti on 14 January 2022 to enhance vitality.
- Yogasana has been declared a competitive sport by the Government of India to promote the ancient practice, spread awareness about its benefits, and help improve the physical and mental well-being of the people.
- International Day of Yoga is being observed in 192 countries, making it the biggest-ever event for global well-being. IDY events are celebrated in over 170 countries through Indian Missions and Posts abroad.
- The Hon’ble Prime Minister declared two Awards- International and National Awards for outstanding contributions to the promotion and development of Yoga.
- The concept of Yoga Smart cities is included in the 100 Smart Cities Mission in India to utilise the full potential of Yoga through intelligent solutions.
- More than 1,000 Universities, 30,000 colleges, and 24,000 CBSE-affiliated schools have been sensitised about the Common Yoga Protocol and its benefits for a healthy lifestyle and enormously to mental well-being, especially for the Youth Community
- 25 lakh wellness centres provide Yoga education for positive impulses and consistency toward holistic health.
- Over 2 lakh Gram Panchayats have been sensitised about the regular practice of Yoga and the Common Yoga Protocol for better health and well-being.
- The introduction of the National Yoga Olympiad in schools will reduce stress and create a sense of unity among students as yoga brings everyone together, respecting diversity and creating harmony.
- Since the inception of the International Day of Yoga, thousands of women are turning to Yoga to usher towards a healthy lifestyle and enormously to mental well-being.
- Several differently-abled people have started performing Yoga for the benefits it brings regardless of any physical condition by developing resilience and spirit for holistic health.
- The introduction of yoga in all uniformed services will enhance overall personality development, stress and engagement, and building, stability, and flexibility.