21 June international yoga day – Purpose and Importance of Yoga Day

International yoga Yoga Day is celebrated every year on 21 June. It is a matter of pride for all Indians that on the appeal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the United Nations has declared 21st June as Yoga Day. Yoga has been a part of the lifestyle of Indians for thousands of years. This is the heritage of India. Today Yoga has made its identity in many countries of the world.

History

The initiative to celebrate International Yoga Day was taken by the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly on September 27, 2014, after which June 21 was declared as International Yoga Day. The proposal to celebrate Yoga Day on June 21 was approved by 193 members in the United Nations On December 11, 2014.

Prime Minister Modi’s proposal was supported by 175 countries. United Nations General Assembly President Sam K. Kutesa said that it is clear from so many countries supporting this proposal that people are getting attracted towards the benefits of yoga. In his first speech at the United Nations General Assembly, Narendra Modi had said that for India, respect for nature is an essential part of spirituality. Prime Minister Modi had talked about it coming to the world level.

Yoga Day: 21 June

Modi called upon the world leaders to adopt International Day of Yoga to deal with the problem of deteriorating health due to negative climate change. He expressed the date of June 21 for the International Day of Yoga because June 21 is the longest day of the entire calendar year in the Northern Hemisphere. Nature, Sun and its glory are most effective on this day.

For the first time in 2011 in Bengaluru, the world’s leading yoga gurus agreed to celebrate Yoga Day on this day. This day has not been chosen keeping in mind any particular person, but keeping nature in mind. This is the second such honor for India in the United Nations during the last seven years. Earlier, in the year 2007, on the initiative of the UPA government, the United Nations declared Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday, October 2, as the International Day of Non-Violence.

Yoga day celebration

Various world leaders support the celebration of International Day of Yoga. 170 countries including U.S.A., China, Canada  celebrate International Yoga Day. It is celebrated internationally by organizing activities like Yoga Training Campus, Yoga Competition and many more activities. These activities increase awareness about the benefits of Yoga among common people all over the world.

Yoga day is celebrated to let people know that regular yoga practice leads to better mental, physical and intellectual health. It positively changes the lifestyle of people and increases the level of health.

All members, observer states, UN system institutions, other educational institutions, regional organizations, civil society, governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations to celebrate the International Day of Yoga in an appropriate manner according to the national priority to raise awareness about yoga People come together in organizations and individually.

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Purpose and importance of Yoga Day

• To tell people about the wonderful and natural benefits of Yoga.
• To connect people with nature through yoga practice.
• To inculcate the habit of meditation in people through yoga.
• To draw the attention of people all over the world towards the holistic benefits of Yoga.
• Reducing the rate of health challenging diseases around the world.
• Bringing communities closer together by taking a day off from busy schedules for wellness.
• To spread growth, development and peace throughout the world.
• To make people aware of physical and mental ailments and to provide its solution through yoga.
• Avoiding unhealthy practices and promoting and honoring good practices to create better health.