International Yoga Day: Importance, Significance and Benefits; All you need to know

International Yoga Day 2020 update: While the International Yoga Day is celebrated on 21 June since 2015, the theme of 2020 is Yoga for Health-Yoga at Home.

However, due to COVID-19 pandemic, this year the celebration will be at home with family members. Readers are suggested to have a look at the importance of yoga in life or the benefits of yoga.

International Yoga Day 2020: Important Information, Significance And Benefits

The first time International Yoga Day was celebrated with the theme “Yoga for Harmony and Peace” on June 21, 2015, following its inception in the United Nations General Assembly in 2014.

Yoga is not merely an exercise. It is a way to attain peace through physical, mental and spiritual well being.
It can be practiced in any age it is suitable for people of all ages and requires no ‘stunt’ skills.

Readers should note that practicing yoga develops physical health. It develops both mental health and social health.

Vital benefits of performing Yoga daily are mentioned below.

• Yoga lowers the risk of heart diseases.
• It maintains a healthy weight and also helps in fighting with depression.
• This apart, it also stimulates organs and help in the improvement in gastrointestinal health.
• Increases Metabolism, improves sleep, helps in building self-control, helps inner peace and increases energy in the body.

On December 11, 2014, the United Nations proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of Yoga by resolution 69/131. The United Nations General Assembly declared June 21 as ‘International Day of Yoga’, months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi had proposed the idea.

Here is what Prime Minister Narendra Modi says about Yoga

Yoga is not only about ‘Rog Mukti’ (Eradication of diseases) but also ‘Bhog Mukti’ (desisting from the worldly greed).” – PM Narendra Modi

“Yoga is not about what one can get out of it. It is rather about what one can give up, what one can get rid of”- PM Narendra Modi