International Yoga Day 2024- History, Theme, Significance

“Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self” -Bhagavad Gita. Yoga’s origin can be traced back over 5,000 years ago. Yoga is not just a form of exercise, it is an art that unites body and mind. The global pandemic COVID-19 has affected the health and the mind. Yoga comes as a rescue for a few minutes from all negativity. Every year International Yoga Day is celebrated on 21 June with different themes. Let us explore the significance, importance, and this year’s theme of International Yoga Day.

What is Yoga?

As per the Oxford Dictionary, Yoga is “a Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, a part of which, including breath control, simple meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures, is widely practiced for health and relaxation.” The word “yoga” is derived from the Sanskrit word “Yuj” which means “to join” or “to unite”. It is the union of “Atma” (Individual Consciousness)  and “Paramatma” (Universal Consciousness) which indicates a perfect harmony between the mind, body, man, nature, and the universe.

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History of the International Yoga Day

International Yoga Day is celebrated every year on the 21st of June. This custom began in 2015. We are so proud to say that this internationally celebrated day was initiated by our very own current Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi On 27 September 2017 While he was delivering his speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)

After the initial proposal by PM Narendra Modi, UNGA held consultations informally on the draft resolution namely, ‘International Yoga Day, on October 14, 2014. The consultations were mustered by the delegation of India. In the year of 2015, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued a 10 rupees coin to mark the international day of Yoga. After this initiative, in April 2017, the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) issued 10 stamps on the Asanas on a sheet to mark this day. 

“Yoga is not only about ‘Rog Mukti’ (Eradication of diseases) but also ‘Bhog Mukti’ (desisting from worldly greed).” –  Prime Minister Narendra Modi

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International Yoga Day 2024 Theme

The theme of International Yoga Day in 2024 is “Yoga for Women Empowerment”. It aims to highlight issues related to women’s health and how practising yoga every day can contribute to living a better life. 

Year	Theme
2023	Yoga for Unity
2022	Yoga for Humanity
2021	Yoga for well-being
2020	Yoga for Health-Yoga at Home

Benefits of Yoga

Do you also have anxiety and stress but no idea how to manage it? Practicing yoga regularly keeps you physically and mentally fit. It initiates the union of mental and physical fitness and helps us achieve a peaceful lifestyle. A human is a physical, mental, and spiritual being. Yoga helps us to create balance among the three components. Check out more benefits of yoga for the human body:

• Yoga develops physical health and mental health
• Yoga will help you to reduce stress and anxiety
• Yoga is a great way to increase your spiritual health and social health
• It improves your heart health, respiratory health
• Yoga will also prevent various kinds of diseases
• Yoga promotes a mental self-healing process
• Yoga boosts immunity and metabolism
• Yoga aids in the weight loss journey
• Yoga increases flexibility and muscle strength.
• Yoga helps in reducing hypertension

“Yoga is not about what one can get out of it. It is rather about what one can give up, what one can get rid of” – PMNarendra Modi

10 Quotes for International Yoga Day

The pose begins when you want to leave it

Yoga is a mirror to look at ourselves from within

Yoga does not just change the way we see things, it transforms the person who sees

When you listen to yourself, everything comes naturally. It comes from inside, like a kind of will to do something. Try to be sensitive. That is yoga

Yoga takes you into the present moment. The only place where life exists

The yoga pose you avoid the most you need the most

We all wish for world peace, but world peace will never be achieved unless we first establish peace within our own minds

Meditation brings wisdom, lack of meditation leaves ignorance. Know well what leads you forward and what holds you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom

Yoga is a light, which once lit will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter your flame

Yoga is the fountain of youth. You’re only as young as your spine is flexible

FAQs

This was all about the International Yoga Day. Yoga is beneficial for the human body and mind. Make it a habit and you’ll see a positive difference soon.  For more such content, stay connected with LeverageEdu! You can follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and also subscribe to our newsletter. Join our Leverage Edu Community and seek help from peers.