How the world celebrated International Yoga Day today (21)

International Yoga Day, aimed at the physical and mental well-being of millions of people worldwide, falls today (Sunday, June 21, 2026). Following a proposal made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, and with the full support of 177 countries worldwide, the United Nations General Assembly officially declared this day in 2015.

This year marks the 12th International Yoga Day, and it once again brings global attention to the importance of yoga exercises for maintaining individual balance in today's busy society.

The official theme for International Yoga Day 2026 has been declared as "Yoga for Healthy Ageing". This theme places special emphasis on developing the physical fitness, mental balance, and emotional resilience of individuals across all age groups. Specifically, the unique benefits of yoga in preventing bone health deterioration during aging, enhancing cognitive function, and ensuring overall well-being are highlighted through this year's celebrations.

This year's main national celebration will be held at the historic 'Red Road' premises in Kolkata, India, under the patronage of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Nearly 35,000 people are expected to participate in this large-scale event, which will feature the 'Daud Se Dhyan' marathon, drone shows, yoga demonstrations on boats, and various cultural performances. In addition, programs for people to gather in large numbers and practice yoga asanas have been implemented at several prominent locations, including the Mysore Palace in Karnataka, and at the village level across India, initiated by small entrepreneurs.

Internationally, this year's Yoga Day is also being celebrated with great enthusiasm, with a special commemorative event organized by India's Permanent Mission on June 18 at the North Lawn of the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Among the notable events are 5km walks held in Brooklyn, Midtown Park in Houston, and George Bush Park in the United States, as well as a massive indoor yoga festival in Miami. Furthermore, numerous free yoga sessions for the public have been conducted through Indian embassies and cultural centers in many countries worldwide, including Europe, West Asia, Africa, East Asia, and centered around the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa.

In Sri Lanka, a series of nationwide programs has also been successfully organized to mark the 12th International Yoga Day. The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka, the Department of Ayurveda, the Ministry of Health, and the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre jointly launched a special program on June 18 under the theme "Island of Wellness: Yoga Across Sri Lanka". These programs, centered around 112 Ayurvedic centers spread across the island, promoted holistic wellness, mindfulness, and healthy aging among the Sri Lankan people.

On this special day, anyone can participate by joining public yoga sessions, live online classes, or programs organized at workplaces. Especially for older individuals, gentle stretches, balance poses like 'Vrikshasana' (Tree Pose), and seated twists can be used. Various mobile applications or YouTube channels can be utilized to practice Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutations), Pranayama (breathing exercises), and meditation techniques from home or at a community level, and workshops can be conducted at school and office levels to raise awareness about reducing mental stress, improving sleep, and managing chronic diseases. By sharing ideas through hashtags like #IDY2026 and #YogaForHealthyAgeing in the digital space, efforts can be made to guide the entire society towards a healthy lifestyle.