Why 21st June is celebrated as International Yoga Day?

June 21 is annually marked as International Yoga Day to celebrate the ancient Indian art of healthy living. Translated from Sanskrit "unity", yoga seeks to unite body and mind to bring harmony.

The first International Yoga Day was celebrated on 21 June 2015 after its inauguration at the United Nations General Assembly.

Why June 21st?

The date was chosen at the suggestion of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who set June 21 as the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, which is seen as a day of cultural significance in various parts of the world.

The reminder of yoga practices was initiated by Indian Prime Minister Modi himself in September 2014, referring to yoga as a "rare gift of ancient Indian tradition".

Yoga is not only considered a form of physical exercise, but is recognized as a practice that allows for mental and spiritual well-being. Initial estimates say that yoga was practiced in pre-Swedish India - as early as 3000 BC. The practice is also found in ancient texts such as the Rigveda and also in the Upanishads.

Yoga was introduced in the West in the 20th century, where it was recognized and praised for its innovative holistic approach to physical and mental well-being.

The earliest forms of yoga included not only physical exercise, but also meditation and spirituality. It has been found to refer to Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.

The "Patanjali Yoga Sutras" date back to the 4th century BC. define yoga as "calming the changes / patterns of consciousness." Finding inner peace and expanding consciousness are marked as goals of true yoga.

The Hindu text of the Mahabharata refers to three kinds of yoga - activity (Karma), devotion (Bhakti) and knowledge (jnana). Together, these three types connect the mind and body.