News Excerpt:
The International Day of Yoga (IDY) is celebrated annually on June 21 to create awareness about its vast potential in improving overall health and well-being.
More About News:
- This year, people all across the globe will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the International Yoga Day.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host the International Yoga Day 2024 in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir on the banks of Dal Lake. More than 3,000-4,000 people are expected to attend the event.
- Since the inception of the International Day of Yoga in 2014, the prime minister has led celebrations at various iconic sites, including Kartavya Path in Delhi, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Ranchi, Lucknow, Mysuru, and even the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
2024 Theme: Yoga for self and society
- This year marks the 10th International Day of Yoga with the theme “Yoga for Self and Society”
- Yoga, a transformative practice, represents the harmony of mind and body, the balance between thought and action, and the unity of restraint and fulfillment.
- It integrates the body, mind, spirit, and soul, offering a holistic approach to health and well-being that brings peace to our hectic lives. Its power to transform is what we celebrate on this special day.
History of International Yoga Day
- The International Day of Yoga (IDY) is observed every year on June 21 to highlight its immense benefits for overall health and well-being. This observance was established by the United Nations in 2014.
- PM Modi proposed the idea of a global day dedicated to yoga during his 2014 address to the 69th session of the United National General Assembly (UNGA). In December 2014, the UNGA passed a resolution declaring June 21 as ‘International Yoga Day’.
- The United Nations describes yoga as an ancient practise with physical, mental, and spiritual elements, originating in India.
- The word ‘yoga’ comes from Sanskrit, meaning to join or unite, which signifies the integration of body and consciousness.
Significance of International Yoga Day
- Yoga is not just about exercise but also about discovering the sense of oneness with yourself, the world, and nature.
- It is a form of exercise that has been shown to have many health benefits, including stress reduction, improved flexibility, and better balance and coordination.
- The International Day of Yoga offers an opportunity to appreciate the unique benefits of yoga and to take part in this healthy and beneficial practice.
- The World Health Organization has also emphasized the importance of regular yoga practice for the reduction of physical inactivity and its association with various chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes.
- The International Day of Yoga is celebrated with the aim of highlighting the importance of yoga in the society by increasing awareness about its benefits and to encourage people to practice it and about the importance of lifestyle changes in order to achieve better health and well-being.
