International Day of Yoga 2025 and the Vision of One Earth, One Health

YOGA Day — An International Day of Yoga celebration at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Photo:Permanent Mission of India to the UN

PAHARI BARUAH

On June 21, 2025, the world celebrates the 11th International Day of Yoga, a global moment to honor a 5,000-year-old practice that originated in India and has woven itself into the fabric of modern wellness.

This year’s theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” captures the profound connection between personal well-being and the health of our planet.

It’s a call to recognize that nurturing our bodies and minds through yoga fosters a deeper sense of responsibility toward the environment, echoing the ancient Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world is one family.

As millions gather to practice yoga today, from bustling city parks to serene rural retreats, the theme invites us to reflect on how individual mindfulness can ripple outward, creating a healthier, more sustainable world.

Yoga, derived from the Sanskrit word meaning “to unite,” is far more than a series of physical poses. It is a holistic practice that harmonizes body, mind, and spirit through asanas, meditation, controlled breathing, and sometimes chanting.

This union cultivates self-awareness, eases stress, and promotes liberation from suffering, as the late yoga master B.K.S. Iyengar once described: “Yoga cultivates the ways of maintaining a balanced attitude in day-to-day life and endows skill in the performance of one’s actions.” Its accessibility—requiring no special equipment and adaptable to all ages, genders, and backgrounds—has made yoga a global phenomenon, practiced in diverse forms from Mumbai to Manhattan.

The International Day of Yoga was established by the United Nations on December 11, 2014, through Resolution 69/131, a historic moment driven by India and supported by an unprecedented 175 member states. The resolution, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the 69th UN General Assembly, hailed yoga as “an invaluable gift from our ancient tradition” that fosters unity of mind and body, thought and action.

Modi emphasized its role in promoting health and a sense of oneness with nature, a vision that resonates deeply with today’s theme. The UN’s recognition underscores yoga’s potential to address global health challenges, particularly physical inactivity, which the World Health Organization identifies as a leading cause of non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular issues, cancer, and diabetes.

This year’s main event, hosted on June 20, 2025, at the UN Headquarters in New York’s North Lawn Area, was a vibrant prelude to the global celebrations. Organized by the Permanent Mission of India to the UN in collaboration with the UN Secretariat, the gathering from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. EDT brought together diplomats, yoga practitioners, and enthusiasts to embody the theme of interconnected health.

The event highlighted yoga’s role in encouraging healthier lifestyle choices, aligning with WHO’s Global Action Plan on Physical Activity (2018–2030), which advocates for at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week to combat diseases, improve mental health, and delay conditions like dementia.

A significant milestone this year is the launch of the WHO mYoga app, a collaboration between the World Health Organization and the Government of India.

This free, secure app offers a collection of yoga videos and audio sessions, ranging from 3 to 45 minutes, making it accessible for beginners and seasoned practitioners alike.

Available on Android and Apple devices, the app requires no special equipment, ensuring that even those with busy schedules can integrate yoga into their lives. Developed by BeHe@lthy BeMobile, a joint initiative of WHO and the International Telecommunications Union, and guided by experts from the WHO Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine unit and Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, the app supports WHO’s Traditional Medicine Strategy (2014–2023). This strategy emphasizes strengthening the quality, safety, and effectiveness of traditional practices like yoga, making them a cornerstone of global health initiatives.

Yoga’s impact extends beyond physical fitness. Its meditative and breathing practices foster mental clarity and emotional resilience, helping individuals navigate the stresses of modern life. Regular practice has been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce obesity risks, and enhance overall well-being, aligning with WHO’s push for preventive health measures.

The philosophy of yoga, deeply rooted in India’s cultural ethos, has influenced fields from medicine to education, encouraging a balanced approach to living. Traditionally transmitted through the Guru-Shishya (master-pupil) model, yoga is now shared through ashrams, community centers, universities, and digital platforms, with ancient manuscripts and modern literature enriching its teachings.

The 2025 theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” invites us to consider how personal wellness contributes to planetary sustainability. Practicing yoga cultivates mindfulness, encouraging choices like reducing waste, conserving resources, and embracing eco-friendly habits. For instance, a yogi might choose plant-based meals or prioritize walking over driving, small acts that collectively reduce environmental strain.

This synergy reflects yoga’s core principle of unity—not just within ourselves but with the world around us. As climate challenges intensify, yoga’s emphasis on interconnectedness offers a path to harmonize human health with the Earth’s ecosystems.

As we mark this International Day of Yoga, the practice’s global reach is undeniable. From the beaches of Bali to the studios of Berlin, people are rolling out mats to stretch, breathe, and connect. The WHO mYoga app makes this accessible to all, democratizing a practice once reserved for ashram disciples.

Yet, yoga remains a deeply personal journey, inviting each practitioner to discover their own sense of balance and purpose. In a world grappling with health crises and environmental challenges, yoga’s message of unity and mindfulness is more relevant than ever. By caring for ourselves, we care for the Earth, embodying the truth that we are all part of one global family.

21-06-2025

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