International Yoga Day, officially the International Day of Yoga, is celebrated on 21 June every year. The United Nations declared it in 2014, the first one was held in 2015, and today schools, offices, parks and living rooms across the world mark it with a shared yoga session. This guide covers the history, why 21 June was chosen, the themes, the Common Yoga Protocol, and simple ways to celebrate.
What is International Yoga Day?
It is a UN observance that raises awareness of the benefits of practising yoga. On the day, people practise together, often following the same 45-minute sequence, the Common Yoga Protocol, so that a class in Sydney, a school in Delhi and an office in London are doing the same poses. Many people simply call 21 June World Yoga Day.
When is International Yoga Day celebrated?
International Yoga Day is observed on 21 June every year, and the date never changes. In 2026 it fell on a Sunday and was the 12th celebration. International Yoga Day 2027 falls on Monday 21 June.
International Yoga Day history
- 27 September 2014: India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed a day for yoga in his address to the UN General Assembly.
- 11 December 2014: the General Assembly adopted resolution 69/131, which established 21 June as the International Day of Yoga. According to the United Nations, a record 175 member states endorsed the draft.
- 21 June 2015: the first International Yoga Day. In New Delhi, the Prime Minister led a mass session on Rajpath that set two Guinness World Records: the largest yoga class (35,985 people) and the most nationalities in one yoga session (84), according to India's Press Information Bureau.
So how many International Yoga Days have been celebrated? Twelve so far, from 2015 to 2026. Since then the day has been held both in huge public gatherings and, in 2020 and 2021, largely online and at home.
Why is 21 June International Yoga Day?
21 June is the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the longest day of the year, and it has special meaning in many cultures. The date was chosen to highlight yoga's role in bringing harmony and balance. If you celebrate International Yoga Day in Australia or elsewhere south of the equator, 21 June is your shortest day instead; many people there enjoy a warming indoor practice.
International Yoga Day themes
Each year has a theme, which is announced by India's Ministry of Ayush (the government ministry for yoga and traditional medicine), usually a few months before June. Recent themes:
- 2022: Yoga Day theme "Yoga for Humanity"
- 2023: Yoga Day theme "Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" ("the world is one family")
- 2024: Yoga Day theme "Yoga for Self and Society"
- 2025: International Yoga Day theme "Yoga for One Earth, One Health"
- 2026: International Yoga Day theme "Yoga for Healthy Ageing"
At World Yoga Day 2026, the theme "Yoga for Healthy Ageing" highlighted yoga across every age group. When is the International Yoga Day 2027 theme announced? The Ministry of Ayush publishes it each year, so check its official announcement rather than any "yoga day 2027 theme ideas" you see shared online before then. Past themes are a good guide for your own school or office event: health, community and the planet come up again and again.
The Common Yoga Protocol: the International Yoga Day sequence
The Common Yoga Protocol (CYP), prepared by the Ministry of Ayush, is the standard International Yoga Day sequence. It lasts about 45 minutes and is designed for ordinary people, not advanced practitioners. In outline:
- Prayer to begin in a calm mood.
- Loosening practices for the neck, shoulders, trunk and knees.
- Standing poses: Tadasana (Mountain), Vrikshasana (Tree), a standing forward bend (Pada Hastasana), a gentle standing backbend (Ardha Chakrasana) and Trikonasana (Triangle).
- Sitting poses: Vajrasana, half or full Ustrasana (Camel), Shashankasana (Hare) and a simple seated twist, among others.
- Lying on the front: Makarasana (Crocodile), Bhujangasana (Cobra) and Shalabhasana (Locust).
- Lying on the back: Setu Bandhasana (Bridge), Uttanapadasana (Raised Leg), half plough, Pavanamuktasana and Shavasana to rest.
- Breathing: Kapalbhati, then Nadi Shodhana (Anulom Vilom), Sheetali and Bhramari.
- Meditation, a resolve (sankalpa) and a closing peace chant.
Take the protocol at your own pace. Skip Kapalbhati if you are pregnant or have high blood pressure, heart disease, a hernia or epilepsy. Avoid Camel and deep backbends with back or neck problems, and ask your doctor first if you have a health condition.
The benefits of the International Yoga Day yoga protocol are those of any balanced session: it moves every major joint, stretches and strengthens the body, slows the breath and ends in stillness. You can rebuild a similar sequence in the free sequence builder and let the 3D guide demonstrate each pose, with voice guidance in 28 languages.
How to celebrate International Yoga Day
At home
Practise with your family at sunrise, even for 20 minutes. Choose a guided session on the practice page, or start with a few rounds of Surya Namaskar. If you are new, our yoga for beginners guide explains the first yoga steps for beginners. Then make it a habit: the real benefits of doing yoga daily come from the other 364 days.
How to celebrate International Yoga Day in school
- A 20–30 minute assembly session of simple standing, sitting and breathing practices from the protocol.
- International Yoga Day activities for kids: animal poses (cobra, cat, tree, crocodile), a balance challenge in Tree pose, and a humming-bee breathing game. Our yoga for kids guide has more ideas.
- A short International Yoga Day quiz using the facts on this page: the date, resolution 69/131, the first celebration in 2015 and why 21 June.
- Posters, a drawing competition, or a talk from a parent who practises yoga.
How to celebrate International Yoga Day in the office
- A 15-minute chair or desk session: neck and shoulder rolls, seated twists, side stretches and slow breathing.
- A lunchtime group session in a meeting room or outdoors.
- Start a "yoga break" habit: two minutes of stretching and breathing every afternoon, which lasts beyond the day itself.
Look for free public International Yoga Day events near you too: embassies, city councils and community groups in many countries host open sessions on or around 21 June.
Happy International Yoga Day: wishes and messages
Short, sincere lines work best, for example: "Happy International Yoga Day! One breath, one pose, one step at a time." Or: "Wishing you a calm mind and a strong body this Yoga Day." For a Hindi message, you can write: "अंतर्राष्ट्रीय योग दिवस की शुभकामनाएँ!"
International Yoga Day in Hindi
अंतर्राष्ट्रीय योग दिवस (International Yoga Day) — हिंदी में: अंतर्राष्ट्रीय योग दिवस हर साल 21 जून को मनाया जाता है। संयुक्त राष्ट्र ने 11 दिसंबर 2014 को प्रस्ताव 69/131 पारित किया और पहला योग दिवस 21 जून 2015 को मनाया गया। 21 जून उत्तरी गोलार्ध में साल का सबसे लंबा दिन होता है। इस दिन लोग मिलकर लगभग 45 मिनट का कॉमन योग प्रोटोकॉल करते हैं, और हर साल की थीम भारत का आयुष मंत्रालय घोषित करता है।
Frequently asked questions
When is International Yoga Day celebrated?
International Yoga Day is celebrated on 21 June every year. The date is fixed. In 2027 it falls on Monday 21 June.
Why is International Yoga Day celebrated on 21 June?
21 June is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, a date with special meaning in many cultures. It was chosen to highlight the role of yoga in bringing harmony and balance.
When was International Yoga Day declared and first celebrated?
The UN General Assembly declared it on 11 December 2014 in resolution 69/131, after India proposed it in September 2014. The first International Day of Yoga was held on 21 June 2015.
What was the International Yoga Day 2026 theme?
The theme for 2026, the 12th International Yoga Day, was "Yoga for Healthy Ageing". The 2025 theme was "Yoga for One Earth, One Health" and the 2024 theme was "Yoga for Self and Society".
What is the International Yoga Day 2027 theme?
The theme is announced each year by India's Ministry of Ayush, usually a few months before June. Check the ministry's official announcement rather than unofficial lists shared online.
How long is the Common Yoga Protocol?
About 45 minutes. It includes a prayer, loosening practices, standing, sitting and lying poses, Kapalbhati, pranayama, meditation, a resolve and a closing peace chant.
How can I celebrate International Yoga Day at home?
Practise with your family for 20–45 minutes, for example a few rounds of Surya Namaskar or a free guided session with the 3D guide and voice, then try to keep a short daily practice going.
Is International Yoga Day a public holiday?
No. It is a UN observance, not a public holiday. Schools, offices and communities mark it with yoga sessions, usually in the morning.