International Yoga Day 2024: Theme, History, Significance & More

On 21st June, millions of people across the globe celebrate International Yoga Day. A day established to celebrate the harmony between mind and body, it draws the importance of yoga in maintaining our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Accounted as one of the best holistic exercises, yoga not only keeps our bodies flexible but also our minds healthy and souls energized.

Every year, on this day, the world embraces the power of yoga as a part of their lifestyle. Yoga, as a holistic and wellness practice, has been a part of our lifestyle for centuries and is practiced around the world by everyone, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or cultural background.

Studies over the years have proven that yoga can benefit us in different ways. From reducing stress and increasing self-awareness, and from improving immunity to boosting overall well-being, yoga can be beneficial for us all.

In our busy lives, it can become increasingly difficult to focus on our health and mindfulness, and yet yoga comes as a simple routine practice to calm our minds and ease physical signs of stress.

The theme for 2024 International Yoga Day is “Yoga for Women Empowerment” so let’s take a look at how you can celebrate Yoga Day this year while keeping the theme in mind.

The History Of International Yoga Day

Celebrated annually around the world on 21st June, International Yoga Day has been observed since 2015. The proposal to celebrate the day was put forward by Prime Minister Of India, Narendra Modi in the United Nations General Assembly in 2014.

The day is celebrated to spread awareness of the importance of yoga and how yoga can help improve our overall health and well-being.

Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word ‘yog’ meaning ‘union’. Yoga is a holistic or spiritualist practice that includes breathwork, meditation, and the adoption of body postures or asanas.

The practice of yoga originated in India around the 5th century and has since been practiced to keep the body and mind healthy.

Significance Of Yoga Day

This year (2024), the theme of Yoga Day is “Yoga for Women Empowerment”. This theme focuses on improving the mental and physical well-being of women all over the world. To celebrate the day, global leaders and organizations will be hosting events to promote the importance of yoga in maintaining well-being.

Since the focus of 2024 International Yoga Day is on women’s empowerment, let’s understand the role of yoga in women’s health and well-being.

Yoga brings a lot of health benefits to the table. In terms of women’s health and well-being, here’s how yoga can benefit;

• Yoga helps improve flexibility and muscle strength
• The practice of yoga improves heart health through physical movements and relaxation
• Yoga also helps manage chronic pain
• This practice reduces stress through mindfulness and breathing exercises
• Yoga can help reduce anxiety and depression symptoms along with sleep issues
• Yoga helps regulate menstrual cycles and eases menstrual pain
• This practice can help manage conditions such as PCOS and menopause in women
• Yoga can also help regulate emotions, boost self-confidence, and resilience
• Practicing yoga can encourage social engagement and cultural connections

International Yoga Day is celebrated across countries to spread awareness of practicing yoga for a healthier mind and body. Practicing breathwork, asanas, and meditation helps regulate energy levels to promote peace, calm, and balance.

Prime Minister Modi, in his speech to the UN, suggested 21st June as it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and can hold special significance in different cultures in countries around the world.

International Yoga Day 2024: Basic Rules Of Yoga Practice

This International Yoga Day, let’s focus on the general guidelines and rules of yoga practice:

1. Eat Nothing Before Yoga

Yoga should be practiced on an empty stomach. If you’ve already eaten, please wait for at least three hours before you roll out your mat. It is also advisable to avoid drinking any kind of caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea, or energy drinks before and during yoga. You can eat an hour after yoga.

2. Start Small And Slow

If you’re a beginner, it is advised that you begin with simple yoga poses and then gradually move on to tougher poses. Complicated yoga poses should only be practiced when you have got a good grip on the simple ones.

3. Relaxation Is Must

Before starting yoga, give yourself – body and mind – at least 10 minutes to relax. Yoga requires you to focus on breathwork, postures, and meditation. Your body needs to be relaxed, and your mind cleared before the practice.

4. Wear Comfortable Clothes

As I said, yoga requires you to focus on movements and breathing. Remember to wear comfortable clothes. Not too loose nor too tight. They should preferably be light-colored.

5. Do Not Practice On Ground

Yoga must be practiced on a yoga mat or a thick sheet. You should avoid practicing yoga on hard ground or grass. Please use a mat or sheet to practice yoga on.

6. Timing Is Important Too

More often than not, it is preferable to practice yoga in the mornings. Starting your day with yoga can help keep you energized and refreshed all day long. Our muscles are also stiff in the mornings. Yoga helps relax our stiff muscles and promote flexibility.

7. Stay Regular

Practicing yoga once a day can be beneficial for your overall health. Even if it’s for 5 minutes, yoga can help reduce stress, improve immunity, promote wellness, and more. You can practice at home, with an online class, or go to a community class.

How To Celebrate Yoga Day 2024?

You can celebrate International Yoga Day in different ways — online and offline. Here are some ways to celebrate Yoga Day this year;

• Participate in a community yoga class or retreat
• Gather with your friends and family to practice yoga
• Participate in an online yoga class
• Learn a new yoga practice
• Create a yoga space at home to kick-start your yoga practice

Happy International Yoga Day!

Yoga helps increase your muscle strength, increase flexibility, reduce stress, reduce depression, boost immunity, improve balance, promote relaxation, and so much more!

If you’re a beginner at yoga, please follow the above basic rules of yoga and guidelines for practicing yoga. You can also download these best yoga apps to help you ease into the practice. This Yoga Day, let’s roll out our mats and kick-start our yoga practice.

The importance of International Yoga Day goes beyond the physical aspects of this gentle movement practice; it’s also about the still aspects — meditation, mindfulness, and breathwork. Combining the mental and physical aspects of yoga helps us maintain the harmony between mind and body.

As you celebrate International Yoga Day 2024, keep the theme in mind, and try to adopt yoga as a routine habit to improve your well-being and overall health.

“Yoga is the journey of the self, to the self, through the self. Happy World Yoga Day!”

Take Care!