It's the International Day of Yoga - Yogis Celebrate! What will you be doing on this day to get more in touch with your inner yogini?
The International Day of Yoga is a fairly new event, only having been invented in 2015. It has been celebrated every year since then on June 21st. The reason for this being that June 21st is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, and universally celebrated for various reasons. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, passed the resolution in the U.N. making an International Day of Yoga possible.
Yoga is so much more than just the latest pop-exercise phenomenon. It is an ancient practice that encompasses far more than just downward dog. It's really an entire philosophy and way of life. The yogic way involves everything from Yama (or moral restraints) to Dharana (a deep state of concentration). The end goal of leading a yogic life is to achieve 'complete stillness of the mind,' according to the website for the International Day of Yoga. The word Yoga can actually be defined as 'the cessation of mental fluctuations.' Therefore, Yoga is just as much about the ways we move our body as it is about the thoughts we think (or rather, the absence of them) and the foods we eat.
There are many ways you can celebrate Yoga Day. The most obvious one would be: Practice Yoga!
If you don't have a regular home practice, consider taking a class. Many places are now offering yoga classes that you would never think of, such as a YMCA or a Public Library.
If a class sounds intimidating to you, start with a few poses in the comfort of your home. Perhaps the most famous flow is the sun salutation. If you feel like you need more instruction, check out the Yoga Day website for tons of videos and resources on everything yoga.
Of course, as we discovered above, yoga goes so far beyond the mat. Here are some ways to celebrate Yoga Day wherever and whenever you have time:
These are just a few suggestions for how you can celebrate Yoga Day today. If this international celebration of yoga inspires you to take your practice to the next level by going on a yoga retreat, check out our wide range of yoga retreat listings here on WeTravel.