It was started in 2014 after the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed the idea at the United Nations.
Since its inception, the recognition for the holistic benefits of practicing this psychophysical discipline has grown immensely across the world. The theme for this year’s International Yoga Day 2025 is “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”, which resonates with the unifying vision that India based its G20 presidency on “One Earth, One Family, One Future.”
Yoga, rooted in India’s ancient wisdom, has become a global symbol of health and harmony. Since 2015, India has led the world in celebrating International Day of Yoga with growing participation each year. From iconic global landmarks to rural villages, yoga has touched millions of lives. It promotes physical fitness, mental peace and a balanced lifestyle. The journey of yoga over the past 11 years reflects India’s message of unity, wellness and inner strength.
The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led this year’s International Yoga Day celebrations from Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. The main event took place along the 26-kilometre stretch from Ramakrishna Beach to Bhogapuram, with an estimated 3 lakh participants joining the mass yoga session. The 11th International Yoga Day was celebrated worldwide on the morning of June 21, under the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.” “It’s not an ordinary feat that 175 nations have adopted Yoga in just 11 years after the U.N. declared June 21 as IDY in 2014,” he said.
The 11th International Day of Yoga was celebrated on 21st June 2025. The main event, Yoga Sangam, featured a mass yoga demonstration based on the Common Yoga Protocol at over one lakh locations across India from 6:30 AM to 7:45 AM. Besides the national event in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, led by PM Modi, the Ministry Of AYUSH has announced 10 signature events to mark the occasion.
In the past 11 years, International Day of Yoga has become a global event. India has led the world in encouraging the practice of yoga. People across countries and cultures now include yoga in their daily lives. From villages to global landmarks, yoga promotes health, peace, and balance. It stands as a timeless embodiment of India’s cultural wisdom and global leadership in wellness. The journey of yoga continues; bringing nations together in the spirit of harmony, healing, and holistic well-being.
Nearly one in every four persons in India incorporating yoga, reveals AYUSH ministry survey
India has been holding yoga events every year on June 21 since 2014, when UN adopted India’s resolution to mark the day as International Day of Yoga (IDY). Celebrating IDY was first proposed by PM Narendra Modi at the United Nations General Assembly in 2014. Highlighting yoga’s universal appeal, he suggested the Summer Solstice – June 21 – as the appropriate day for the purpose. With 177 UN member states co-sponsoring the resolution, the proposal received overwhelming support, with IDY being first celebrated in 2015.
A survey commissioned by Ministry of Ayush has found that this exercise has led to nearly one in every four persons in India incorporating yoga – which includes asana sequences, breath control exercises and meditation – into their lifestyle. While 11% of the respondents – 30,084 people from across the country – said they practise yoga daily, 13% said they do it sometimes. However, 75% of people still don’t practise yoga. To encourage such people, the survey report suggests complementing high-visibility flagship events such as IDY with grassroots mobilisation, digital platforms, and institutional partnerships. One of the moves by government in this direction is a plan to upgrade existing parks in various panchayats (rural) and municipalities (urban) into Yoga parks where people can practise yoga every day.
IDY Celebrations Across the World
Internationally, Japan, London, and New York witnessed diplomatic and community-led yoga sessions. In Tokyo, more than 2,000 people—including the spouses of both the Japanese prime minister and foreign minister—took part, with a speech delivered by India’s Ambassador, Sibi George, Times of India notes. Meanwhile, legendary Indian actor Anupam Kher led a symbolic session at Times Square, New York. In London, hundreds gathered at The Strand under the UK High Commission’s banner.
International Yoga Day: King Charles’ message on Yoga Day
“The theme of this year’s day, Yoga for One Earth, One Health, reminds us how vitally important it is that the world comes together to secure a happy and healthy future for present and future generations,” read the King’s message from Buckingham Palace.
“Initiatives like the International Day of Yoga provide an opportunity to celebrate a practice and philosophy that means so much to so many. Year on year, Yoga is increasing in popularity across the United Kingdom, with millions of people in our country reaping its benefits. Yoga is a powerful means of enabling anyone to improve their physical and mental health and fosters a sense of wellbeing and togetherness within communities,” it added.
