International Yoga Day is celebrated every year on June 21. The first time it was celebrated was in 2015. On December 11, 2014, the United Nations General Assembly, or the ENGA, officially declared June 21 International Yoga Day.
Yoga is officially defined as a physical, mental, and/or spiritual practice. It is most attributed to India. In his UN Address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested June 21 as it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. He was also the first one to propose an international day dedicated to yoga.
In his speech at the UNGA on September 27, 2014, Mr. Modi said, Yoga is an invaluable gift of India`s ancient tradition. This tradition is 5000 years old. 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 with yourself, the world and the nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help in well being . Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day.