The International Day of Yoga (IDY), observed on June 21 every year, has become a global phenomenon, marking a decade of profound impact on health and well-being worldwide. Once a proposal of India, though it is currently an international phenomenon that has brought millions of people to unite and rediscover the ancient benefits of this old-time practice. It is a testament to the increasing popularity of yoga that spreads not only across the borders of geographical separation but also cultural. It is a measure of how appealing a theme can be on a purely universal scale which appeals to the body as well as to its soul. Each year, the day is a strong reminder of the ability of yoga to promote harmony in the world and peace within us resulting in a healthier and harmonious world society.
Understanding the IDY Logo
The IDY logo is most representative of yoga. Folded hands indicate yoga itself, showing the synthesis of individual consciousness and cosmic consciousness and the ultimate harmony of mind, body, and nature.
Even the colour and symbols used in the logo bear a meaning: brown leaves are symbolic of the Earth; green leaves are symbolic of Nature, blue is symbolic of Water, the shiny parts are symbolic of Fire and the Sun is the source of inspiration and source of energy. The combinations of all these exemplify the message of yoga: peace and harmony to the entire humanity.
A Decade of Distinguished Growth
The history of the International Yoga Day has been phenomenal indeed. Movement participants increased between 2018 from about 9.59 crore (95.9 million) participants to approximately 24.53 crore (245.3 million) around the world in 2024. This remarkable development presents yoga as highly popular and having the potential to boost global well-being.
Yoga for One Earth, One Health: The 2025 Theme
In this 11 th International Day of Yoga, the theme of the international day of yoga is “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.” It is an inspiring topic which reminds everyone about the nexus of nature that reminds us about health, balance of the environment and well being on earth. This is why exactly it aligns with the Indian vision of One Earth, One Family, One Future that was a driving force behind the Indian G20 presidency.
IDY 2025 Planned Signature Event
In honour of a decade of transformational power, IDY 2025 has ten special Signature Events, all of which have the aim of spreading the yoga message to all parts of society.
- Yoga Sangam: Yoga Sangam, the flagship national event for International Day of Yoga (IDY), will witness synchronized mass yoga sessions at over one lakh locations across India on June 21, 2025. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to lead the main celebration from Visakhapatnam. These large-scale gatherings will follow the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP)—a standardized set of practices curated by the Ministry of AYUSH. To ensure inclusivity, the CYP resources are made available in 22 regional languages, the six official UN languages, and nine additional international languages.
- Yoga Bandhan: It is a global exchange program that facilitates yoga practice by engaging in partnership with other countries. It involves exchange visits of yoga practitioners and Indian as well as foreign delegates, further facilitating each other’s activities and exchanges.
- Yoga Park: A proposal for the upgradation of existing parks in rural and urban areas into exclusive Yoga Parks. The public space will feature daily yoga classes by expert instructors and information boards for self-practice to ensure that everyone, including children and senior citizens, has access to it.
- Yoga Samavesh: An initiative to universalize yoga and reach special needs populations. It has standardized yoga protocols for diabetes, hypertension, and bronchial asthma, among others, as well as for age-related groups and problems such as mental health and alcohol and drug abuse.
- Yoga Prabhav: A comprehensive research work that has quantified the far-reaching effect of IDY over the decade. Its results will guide the future generation of wellness initiatives and preventive healthcare programs.
- Yoga Connect: A global summit organized in a mixed mode, where yoga leaders from across the world convened to work together, exchange culture, and attain wholesome well-being. The findings of Yoga Prabhav were also shared at this event.
- Harit yoga: This scheme uses yoga in a bid to preserve nature. Actions such as planting trees and sanitation exercises are put in place, as well as information sessions about climate change and sustainable life.
- Yoga Unplugged: It is a program set up to make the youth adopt yoga both by online and offline plans. This would comprise quizzes, essay contests, social media challenges, workshops and establishment of youth festivals with the inclination being the Yoga Fusion, where traditional yoga is incorporated in modern music and movement.
- Yoga Mahakumbh: A gigantic performance of yoga in 10 cities with various organizations. These events are theme based like environment, youth, and inclusiveness as other signature events.
- Samyoga: This project promotes sharing and discussion the focus on whether yoga would be included into mainstream medicine and other traditional healing modalities of Ayurveda and Homoeopathy. It is focused on developing a list of key yoga activities to be included in public health programs.
National Countdown Events and Awards
Leading up to IDY 2025, the Ministry of AYUSH organized nationwide countdown events:
- 100-Day Countdown Event: Yoga Mahotsav 2025 in New Delhi officially inaugurated the countdown to the 11th IDY.
- 75-Day Countdown Event: The event in Bhubaneswar was attended by more than 6,000 participants and inaugurated the Harit Yoga campaign with more than 5,000 medicinal plants being planted.
- 50-Day Countdown Event: In Maharashtra, more than 6,200 individuals witnessed a large-scale Common Yoga Protocol demonstration, and the registration portal of the Yoga Sangam was launched.
- 25-Day Countdown Event: Conducted in Pondicherry, it was witnessed by more than 4,000 people.
The PM Yoga Awards 2025 also recognize excellence in promoting and practicing yoga, with four awards (two national and two international) celebrating significant contributions to this ancient practice.
Conclusion
International Day of Yoga 2025 is not the standalone day of celebration. It represents the long-time commitment of India towards the holistic evolution of health and harmonious coexistence with nature and elevation of the entire humankind. Due to the reflective nature of its topic and distinct events in all fronts, IDY continues to attract steadily more efforts on a global scale. It continues as a leader to demonstrate how physical health can be combined with mindfulness of being conscious to enforce a universal message of peace and harmony.
FAQs on International Day of Yoga
Question: On which day International Day of Yoga is celebrated, and why has that date been chosen?
Answer: Yoga Day is a yearly festival which is celebrated on 21 st June. The reason this date has been chosen is that this date symbolizes the Summer Solstice (the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere) and this day symbolizes harmony and balance in other cultures.
Question: What is the main aim of International Day of Yoga?
Answer: The main aim of International Day of Yoga is to develop international awareness of several benefits of yoga practice towards physical, mental, and spiritual, as the means of popularizing the holistic approach to health.
Question: Who has proposed the idea of the International Day of Yoga?
Answer: The idea of an International Day of Yoga was proposed in the speech of India Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, during the 69 th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2014.
Question: Why is One Earth, One Health: Yoga an appropriate theme of IDY 2025?
Answer: The IDY 2025 theme, i.e., Yoga for One Earth, One Health will unite India and the world on the vision of oneness of earth, people and our future.
Question: How has International Day of Yoga participation increased in recent years?
Answer: The population celebrating has grown immensely year after year, and approximately 24.53 crore (245.3 million) individuals have taken part in celebrations in 2024, which marks its sheer popularity.
Seven Lines on International Yoga Day
- June 21 International Yoga Day brings together millions of individuals across the globe for the practice of well-being.
- The word “yoga” in Sanskrit refers to the inner harmony of mind, body, and soul.
- India’s move led to the United Nations pronouncing June 21 as a global day of global well-being.
- The motto “Yoga for One Earth, One Health” gives personification to world peace and conservation of nature.
- From large-scale participation to signature events, IDY promotes an all-around health revolution by health experts.
- Yoga provides a doorway to inner harmony, peace, and more harmony with nature.
- A decade of IDY has established it as a strong worldwide movement of public health.
