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Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years, with its roots traced to India. While the discipline is ancient, it’s now embraced all over the world for its variety of benefits.
Celebrated worldwide since 2015, people around the world pay tribute to the beloved practice with International Yoga Day, Times Now reports. The special day takes place on June 21 — and is also on the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
One Earth, One Health
International Yoga Day raises awareness of the importance of yoga in our daily lives, and its physical, mental, and emotional health benefits. This year’s International Day of Yoga sheds light on an important cause. The theme for Yoga Day 2025 is “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.”
Following a proposal by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the United Nations declared June 21 as International Yoga Day in 2014, according to NDTV Profit.
This year’s theme illustrates the link between our wellbeing and the health of our planet. It’s a beautiful reminder that the planet must be healthy in order for us to also nurture our health. This is because of the connection to the air we breathe, the food we consume, and the water we drink. Therefore yoga empowers us to become aware and take action.
How To Celebrate International Yoga Day
There are plenty of ways to celebrate International Yoga Day. So grab your mat and attend a local session or online class on June 21. You can also give back to the community and pay tribute to the annual day through planning a yoga session at your workplace, school, or neighborhood park.
Besides practicing asanas or yoga poses, you can also pay tribute to the International Yoga Day this year through embracing eco-friendly habits, including carrying a reusable water bottle, avoiding plastic, and taking a walk or hopping on a bicycle to arrive at your next yoga class.
Poses For International Yoga Day
No International Yoga Day celebration is complete without diving into the practice with yoga poses. So try these exercises to stretch your way into the day.
Mountain Pose
What better way to honor International Yoga Day than standing tall like a mountain itself? This pose can allow you to feel grounded and balanced. It also encourages stillness, focus, and connection with the Earth — making it the perfect pose to celebrate.
Tree Pose
To try Tree Pose, balance on one leg like the plant itself to build stability and focus. The powerful position teaches harmony between the body and mind.
Cobra Pose
This backbend is effective for opening the chest and lungs. The position energizes the body. It also symbolizes openness toward life and mother nature itself.
Lotus Pose
This famous seated pose is well suited for meditation and presence. It promotes peace, clarity, and paves the way for mindful breathing.
Corpse Pose
End your practice on the ground itself with savasana. It’s the final pose to relax and wrap up your session. Its benefits include promoting rest and reflection.
This year’s International Yoga Day is the perfect time to honor yourself and the planet we all share. So embrace eco-friendly ways to celebrate, plan or pick a yoga class of your choice, lay down your mat, and move your body — one pose at a time.
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