EVERY year June 21 is celebrated as the International Day of Yoga. Responding to a call by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the United Nations General Assembly declared this special day, on December 11, 2014. Since then, it is observed across the world through various activities and programmes related to yoga and health.
The declaration has led to yoga emerging as an important public health movement throughout the world. It is especially relevant in India because the role of yoga in public health policies and behaviour has significantly increased in the past few years.
The UN 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 PM Modi in his address during the opening of the 69th session of the General Assembly.
An invaluable gift “Yoga is an invaluable gift of our ancient tradition. Yoga embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfilment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and wellbeing. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and nature. Changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness can help us deal with climate change. So let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day,” stated PM Modi.
No wonder then, the PM will commence his current US visit with the celebration of International Day of Yoga at the United Nations Headquarters on June 21 in New York.
The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations has posted an invitation to the celebration of the “9th annual International Yoga Day on 21 June 2023, from 8:00-9:00 AM EST at the North Lawn of UN Headquarters in New York”. The Yoga session, it announced, will be “led by H.E. Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi”.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
The UN recognises Yoga as 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”. It adds, “Today it is practiced in various forms around the world and continues to grow in popularity.”
WHO call to members
In this regard, the World Health Organisation has also urged its member states to help their citizens reduce physical inactivity, which is among the top 10 leading causes of death worldwide, and a key risk factor for non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes.
In the words of one of its most famous practitioners, the late BKS 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.”
On June 20, 2021, the WHO, in collaboration with the Government of India, launched WHO mYoga app. It was developed to help people stay active and healthy. The app is safe, secure, and does not collect any data from users. It is available for free download on Android and Apple devices.
Easy-to-use app
The app is an easy-to-use, free tool for people who intend to take up yoga for the first time, or those who already practice yoga regularly. It contains a collection of video and audio files to teach and accompany yoga practice. No special equipment is needed, and users can learn or practice for between 3 to 45 minutes, thus allowing space for a health activity to be included even in a busy schedule
