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The International Yoga Day is celebrated worldwide on June 21st every year. In 2025, the theme of this event is “Yoga for One Earth, One Health. Celebrating International Yoga Day as a student abroad is one of the best ways you can pause, breathe, and connect with an ancient practice that transcends boundaries. Yoga’s universal message of balance and unity will make you feel connected wherever you are. In this blog, we have explained why and when International Yoga Day is celebrated. How can you celebrate International Yoga Day? You can also learn some excellent activities and ideas that will help you celebrate Yoga Day this year.
Table of Contents
- 1 Why is International Yoga Day Celebrated?
- 2 When is Yoga Day Celebrated in India?
- 3 Celebrating International Yoga Day in India: Traditions and Trends
- 4 How Do You Celebrate International Day of Yoga?
- 5 10 Ideas for Celebrating International Yoga Day
- 6 10 Activities for Celebrating International Yoga Day
- 7 Top 7 Yoga Apps and Resources for Indian Students
- 8 FAQs
Why is International Yoga Day Celebrated?
Celebrating International Yoga Day started in 2015. In September 2014, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed a global day devoted to yoga. The proposal was accepted, and consequently, the UN General Assembly declared June 21st as the International Yoga Day. The first International Yoga Day was celebrated on June 21st, 2014. Thus, the UN recognised yoga’s benefits for the mind, body, and spirit. Celebrating yoga promotes:
- Global Unity- Practitioners from more than 190 countries synchronise their breath and movement, and reflect yoga’s Sanskrit meaning of “union.”
- Health and Wellness- As per studies, practising yoga can improve your flexibility, boost concentration, and reduce stress.
- Sustainable Living– The 2025 theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health’’ showcase how personal wellbeing is connected to environmental care.
The yearly observance of the International Yoga Day can develop cross-cultural dialogue. Moreover, it showcases the importance of self-care on a global stage.
When is Yoga Day Celebrated in India?
India is the birthplace of Yoga. As per the UN, India too engages in celebrating International Yoga Day on June 21st every year. The UN chose this day to align the celebrations with the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. June 21st is the longest day of the year, and is a suitable metaphor for enlightenment and energy. Traditionally, June 21 is also the day when Dakshinayana starts -the sun moves southward, invoking Lord Shiva, the first yogi. Therefore, India celebrates this day by hosting mass sessions, record‑attempt gatherings and cultural programs.
Also Read: Understand the 9 Benefits of Yoga on Mental & Physical Health
Celebrating International Yoga Day in India: Traditions and Trends
These are the popular traditions and trends in India for celebrating International Yoga Day. Most of these celebrations are a mix of old rituals and new, large-scale events.
- Mass Yoga Demonstrations: Mass yoga demonstrations are held in iconic locations. For example, beaches in Mumbai and Rajpath in New Delhi.
- Eco‑Yoga Initiatives– Programs like Harit Yog are organised to encourage tree plantations along with the outdoor asanas.
- Cultural Performances: Sanskrit chanting, folk dances, and wellness expos are often held to accompany main sessions. This gives students a glimpse of India’s yoga culture.
- International Partnerships: Moreover, several international partnerships, like the Yoga Bandan, take place. India co-hosts joint yoga sessions with partner countries
These celebrations showcase India’s global leadership in yoga education.
Also Read: Important Days in May 2025: 10 National and International Events
How Do You Celebrate International Day of Yoga?
As an international student, you can celebrate yoga in the following ways. You can choose any of the methods given below to honor the ancient practise.
- Virtual Global Sessions– You can stream the UN’s official International Yoga Day event. You can also watch India’s Yoga Connect summit online, which features international influencers and gurus.
- Campus Yoga Clubs- You can also reach out to cultural societies in your area, or check out university wellness centres. If there are any free group classes, you can join the same to practise yoga with others.
- Online Challenges– You can also take part in social media campaigns. For example, #YogaForOneEarth and post your favorite asana. Otherwise, you can share a short guided yoga practice in your group.
- Personal Rituals– You can also set aside 20 minutes of your time to do pranayama (breathing exercises). Thereafter, you can journal your reflections on how yoga is helping you study properly abroad.
- Collaboration with Local Studios- As an international student, you can negotiate to obtain student passes for the 21st June classes (if they are available). This is beneficial for you and for the local instructors who are looking for new participants.
10 Ideas for Celebrating International Yoga Day
Do you want some additional ideas for celebrating International Yoga Day? Here are ten ideas that you can make use of. Read these ideas and put the idea that you like the most into practise.
- Theme‑Based Flow: You can organise a small yoga event in your community on the 2025 theme One Earth, One Health”. A 45-minute sequence can be followed, consisting of a tree pose to honor nature, a mountain pose for stability. etc.
- DIY Yoga Retreat: You can create a self-guided retreat at a park. The retreat must consist of the asanas, a mindfulness walk, and a plant-based picnic.
- Cultural Potluck: You can invite your friends abroad to create simple Indian dishes like vegetable pulao, tomato dal, and eat them after the group practise session.
- Clean‑Up + Practice: Otherwise, you can organise the cleanup of campus grounds with the other yoga volunteers.
- Meditation Marathon: You can also choose to host a meditation session (6-hour shift). Provide each student with a short guided meditation session.
- Eco Art Workshop– You can use natural dyes to paint o sketch mandalas while listening to soothing yoga music.
- Book Swap & Talk- You can discuss your favourite yoga session, practices, and philosophies, and exchange yoga and wellness books.
- Charity Flow- Moreover, you can engage in charitable activities. For example, you can set up a donation-based yoga class. The donations can go to a mental health non-profit or to local environmental initiatives.
- Sunrise Salutations: You can make 21 rounds of Surya Namaskar along with your friend. Thus, you can greet the solstice together.
- Digital Detox Zone: Another way to celebrate yoga is to be tech-free for an hour. Instead, choose to focus on mindful movement and sensory awareness.
10 Activities for Celebrating International Yoga Day
These are some of the most common activities that you can organise, or be a part of. These activities will help you properly celebrate International Yoga Day
- 108 Sun Salutes: You can challenge yourself to do 108 Surya Namaskars over the day. Scale your level and don’t forget to rest as required.
- Partner Yoga Drills: You can take part in macro‑yoga poses. This can help in forming communication and trust.
- Sound Bath Experience: You can make use of the free apps like Insight Timer for guided sound healing. You can also use small instruments for singing. Etc.
- Language Exchange Yoga: You can gain knowledge of Sanskrit and the names of poses. Thereafter, you can teach these poses to your classmates from different countries.
- Mindful Tea Ceremony: After yoga practise you can share herbal tea in silence. Try to focus on the flavor, and aroma of the tea.
- Yoga Photo Scavenger Hunt: You can pose asanas at local landmarks alone or with your group.
- Chair Yoga for All: You can start a beginner yoga class in a library or study hall to promote yoga and to help students take posture breaks during long study hours.
- Yoga Film Screening: You can also screen yoga documentaries like the Yoga Unveiled or Awake: The Life of Yogananda. This can be followed by a discussion on the topic.
- Gratitude Flow: End your practice by thanking the universe. Each student can share something they like about their host country, or share any memorable experience.
- Midnight Sun Sequence: Those living in high-latitude areas during the solstice can practice under extended daylight for a magical twist.
Also Read: Earth Day Quotes: 50+ Powerful Sayings to Save Earth for Students
Top 7 Yoga Apps and Resources for Indian Students
The following are the seven best apps and resources for Indian students. You can download these resources/apps to practise yoga.
| S.No | App/Resource | Why It Suits Indian Students |
| 1 | mYoga (WHO & AYUSH) | Offers sessions in English, Hindi, and regional languages, with quick routines designed to fit into busy student schedules |
| 2 | Yoga With Adriene (YouTube) | Provides equipment‑free practices in a warm, approachable style—perfect for cramped dorms or tight living spaces |
| 3 | Ramdev Yoga (Patanjali App & YouTube) | Delivers traditional kriyas and breathing exercises in Hindi and English, connecting you to an authentic Indian yoga lineage |
| 4 | Isha Kriya (Isha Foundation App + YouTube) | Features a concise, daily 12‑minute guided meditation that helps manage stress and adjust to new time zones |
| 5 | Daily Yoga (App) | Includes a wide range of classes from beginner to advanced, offline downloads, and community groups where you can find peers |
| 6 | Gaia (Paid, student discount) | Hosts in‑depth workshops on yoga philosophy, Ayurveda, and advanced asanas—often showcasing Indian masters and traditions |
| 7 | Insight Timer | Boasts thousands of free meditations and chant tracks, with filters for Hindi mantras and live global sessions on special dates |
FAQs
Yoga is not a short form of anything. Therefore, it doesn’t have a full form. Nevertheless, what yoga is taken from the Sanskrit words: “yuj,” which means “to join,” “to unite,” or “to yoke.”. It refers to a mental, physical and spiritual practice to harmonise the mind, body, and spirit.
The theme of the International Yoga Day 2025 is Yoga for One Earth One Health. The theme emphasises on developing our personal wellbeing, sustainability and unity.
The father of yoga is Patanjali. He is known for organising and systematizing the various aspects of yoga in his Yoga Sutras. Yoga Sutras is the foundational text for the yoga philosophy and practice. These sutras often talk about the eight limbs of yoga, known as Ashtanga Yoga.
The theme for the 10th International Yoga Day was “Yoga for Self and Society.”. The theme was about viewing yoga as a 65 4 transformative practice that focuses on the harmony of mind and body, and creates balance between thought and action.
The first International Yoga Day was celebrated on June 21, 2015. The celebrations were led by PM Narendra Modi at Rajpath. About 21 yoga asanas were performed by dignitaries from 84 nations in this event.
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