International Yoga Day on 21 June: List of Activities and Events in India and Around the World

Roll out your yoga mat and get ready to celebrate the 10th anniversary of International Yoga Day on June 21! This global event unites people around the world to recognize the profound impact yoga has on mental, physical and spiritual health.

India in the spotlight

This year, India is gearing up for a grand celebration with the main event to be held on the banks of Dal Lake in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to lead a massive yoga demonstration with thousands of participants.

But the celebrations extend far beyond Kashmir. Cities across India will host yoga events in public parks, community centers, and even iconic landmarks. These include free yoga classes for beginners, workshops on specific yoga practices like meditation or pranayama (breathing exercises), and cultural performances. Some cities may even attempt to break the world record for hosting the largest yoga gathering!

In addition, here are some events organized by the Indian government:

  • Prime Minister Yoga Awards: On the second International Yoga Day, the Prime Minister announced two awards – one national and one international. These awards honour individuals or organisations who have significantly promoted and developed yoga over a long period of time. Nominations for the awards will open on June 11, 2024 and close on June 30, 2024. The winners will be announced thereafter.
  • Yoga Tech Challenge 2024: The Yoga Tech Challenge 2024 will take place from June 12 to July 12, 2024, capitalizing on the wave of innovation in yoga and wellness sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes virtual yoga classes, smart mats, and AI-driven wellness apps. The global yoga market was valued at $80 billion in 2017 and is expected to grow to $216 billion by 2025, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. The healthtech sector features smartwatches and health monitoring devices, which are essential for tracking metrics like stress and heart rate variability. The challenge invites yoga technologists and individuals to develop yoga-related products to track therapeutic effects and health outcomes. For more details, visit the Startup India website.
  • Yoga for Life Q&A: The Yoga for Life Q&A event organized by NCERT will be held from June 10 to June 30, 2024 to celebrate the International Yoga Day and create a positive environment during the pandemic. Targeted at students of classes 6 to 12 from different types of schools, the Q&A event aims to make participants aware of the importance of yoga for physical and mental health, highlighting its cultural heritage and environmental connections. The objectives include creating awareness about yoga practice, understanding the benefits of asanas, and cultivating regular practice of yoga for overall health. Participants, including parents and teachers, will be given an online certificate of participation.

International Yoga Day celebrated worldwide

This year marks the 10th International Yoga Day, emphasizing inclusiveness and participation by all. Organized by the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations in collaboration with the United Nations Secretariat, the event will be held on the North Lawn of the United Nations Headquarters under the theme “Yoga for Self and Society”. Participants include representatives of United Nations Member States, United Nations officials, staff, and celebrities from various fields in New York. The goal is to promote yoga as a widespread movement to promote happiness, global health and peace.

International Yoga Day is not just an Indian celebration. Yoga enthusiasts around the world will hold their own events. Here are some of the events you will find:

  • Free Yoga in Parks: Many cities around the world offer free yoga classes in parks led by experienced instructors. This is a great opportunity to try yoga for the first time or practice yoga in a supportive community.
  • Yoga workshops and retreats: Yoga studios and yoga schools may offer special workshops or retreats that focus on a specific aspect of yoga, such as yoga for stress relief or back pain.
  • Cultural Events: Many events combine yoga with cultural performances, music, and healthy food. This provides a holistic experience that celebrates the various traditions associated with yoga.

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