International Yoga Day

 About 40000 people, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a large number of dignitaries, performed 21 Yoga asanas (yoga postures) for 35 minutes to observe the first International Day of Yoga at Rajpath in New Delhi on 21 June 2015. The day devoted to Yoga was observed by millions across the world

Official name     International Day of Yoga - IDY
Also called     Yog Day, World Yog Day
Observed by     Worldwide
Type     United Nations
Celebrations     Practicing yoga, meditation, spreding awareness about yoga and adopting it in lifestyle by dicussing its benifits
Date     21 June
Next time     21 June 2015
Frequency     annual
First time     21 June 2015
Related to     Yoga, Meditation, cultural performances, Health and fitness
    This article may require copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone, or spelling. You can assist by editing it. (June 2015)

June 21 was declared as the International Day of Yoga by the United Nations General Assembly on December 11, 2014.[1] Yoga, a physical, mental and spiritual practice having its origin over 6000 years ago in India aims to integrate the body and the mind.[2]

The declaration of this day came after the call for the adoption of 21 June as International Day of Yoga by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address to UN General Assembly on September 27, 2014[3][4][5][6] wherein he stated:

"Yoga is an invaluable gift of India's ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfilment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness within yourself, the world and the nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help us deal with climate change. Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day."[7]

[8] In suggesting June 21, which is the Summer Solstice, as the International Day of Yoga, Narendra Modi had said that the date is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and has special significance in many parts of the world.[9]

From the perspective of yoga, the Summer Solstice marks the transition to Dakshinayana. The first full moon after Summer Solstice is known as Guru Poornima. According to Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, in the yogic lore, the first transmission of yoga by Shiva, the first Guru, is said to have begun on this day.[10] Dakshinayana is also considered a time when there is natural support for those pursuing spiritual practices.[11] Govind Gurbani Yog Guru / Vice President of Rajasthan Swasthya Yog Parisad Jaipur India informed that on 21 June fifty thousand followers of Yoga will perform Yoga in Rajasthan.