About Yoga & International Day of Yoga
What is Yoga?
Yoga is a philosophy originated in India more than four thousand years ago. In written word it was first mentioned in Vedas. The most important text, containing the philosophical guidelines of yoga that is practiced today, is considered to be Patanjali's Yoga Sutras written 2000 years ago.
The word yoga, from Sanskrit yuj, means to yoke, or to join together. It represents joining the mind, body and spirit or integration with what we personally feel is greater than ourselves (God, Spirit, Universal Energy, Higher Force, Mother Earth).
Yoga is not a religion, it is a philosophy. No matter what our religious background is we can use some yoga techniques to become healthier, calmer and happier individuals and as such to function better within our community.
What are the benefits if practising Yoga?
Yoga brings balance into our lives. There are many practices of yoga and they all have a mutual goal - our physical, mental and spiritual health.
By practicing yoga asanas (postures) we can increase strength and flexibility, strengthen the joints, increase circulation, and strengthen cardiovascular and nervous systems.
Regular practice of yoga asana and pranayama increases energy and vitality, strengthens immune system and detoxifies the body better than any other physical activity.
Yogic principles, or set of moral guidelines for spiritual growth, can teach us:
- how to live happily without harming others with our words or actions
- how to live in joy and peace with ourselves and with others
- how to develop compassion and love for ourselves and the world around us.
These guidelines can bring us closer to our true self and bring us spiritual health.
Through the practice of yoga we can achieve inner peace, clarity of mind and harmony of our physical body. But, the greatest thing yoga can teach us is to accept who we are, to become aware of our mental, spiritual and physical potential.
When is International Day of Yoga 2026?
International Day of Yoga is on Sunday, 21 June 2026
What are the previous themes?
2015: Yoga for Harmony and Peace
2016: Yoga for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals
2017: Yoga for Health
2018: Yoga for Peace
2019: Yoga for Heart
2020: Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family
2021: Yoga at Wellness
2022: Yoga for Humanity
