International Yoga Day: Benefits, History & How to Celebrate

International Yoga Day, celebrated on 21 June every year, was declared by the United Nations in 2015 following a proposal by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Since then, it has grown into one of the world’s largest global health movements, with millions of people across 180+ countries participating in yoga sessions, workshops, and wellness events.

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Health Benefits of Yoga

Yoga is not just physical exercise. Research consistently shows that a regular yoga practice improves flexibility, strength, and balance, while also significantly reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. For people managing chronic conditions – from hypertension to diabetes – yoga has been shown to reduce symptom severity and improve quality of life. Stress, in particular, is a well-documented contributor to serious illness: read more about how stress contributes to heart disease and why managing it matters.

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Yoga, Mental Health, and Giving Back

This International Yoga Day, consider combining your wellness practice with purpose. Charitable giving is itself a powerful stress reliever and mental health booster – there are documented health benefits of managing stress and giving back that mirror many of the benefits of yoga. Organising a charity yoga event or donating to a health cause are both powerful ways to celebrate the day.