Yoga originated in India and is now embraced around the world, uniting people around the values of balance, mindfulness and peace, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said.
In a message marking the 10th International Day of Yoga, Secretary-General Guterres urged people to be inspired by the timeless values of the ancient practice of yoga and its call for a more peaceful and harmonious future.
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In December 2014, the United Nations recognized the universal appeal of yoga and declared 21 June as International Yoga Day. The UN General Assembly resolution establishing International Yoga Day was proposed by India and ratified by a record 175 member states.
International Yoga Day recognises the ancient practice of yoga’s unique healing power and its ability to bring inner peace and physical, spiritual and mental wellbeing, Guterres said in a message on Friday as the world celebrated the 10th International Day of Yoga.
Yoga, which has its roots in India but is now embraced by people of all faiths and cultures around the world, unites people around the values of balance, mindfulness and peace with people and the planet, Guterres said in a message posted on X by the Permanent Mission of India to the UN.
He noted that this year’s theme, “Yoga for Self and Society,” reminds us of the important role of yoga in improving people’s lives and the wider community.
On this momentous day, let us all be inspired by the timeless values of yoga and its call for a more peaceful and harmonious future, the UN Secretary-General said.
The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations held a ceremony to commemorate the 10th International Day of Yoga at the North Lawn precinct of the UN Headquarters. Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the historic celebration of Yoga Day, nine years after he proposed June 21 as International Day of Yoga from the podium at the UN General Assembly.
Also read: International Day of Yoga 2024: World is witnessing a new yoga economy, says PM Modi
The event was attended by UN envoys, staff, government officials, expatriates, yoga enthusiasts and practitioners.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed greeted participants with “Namaste” and said the essence of yoga is oneness – oneness of mind, body and soul.
“This is about you, this is about me, this is about us, and today at the United Nations we see how it brings people together across cultures and countries,” she said.
Mohammed added that since the United Nations General Assembly declared June 21 as International Day of Yoga 10 years ago, the celebrations and momentum have been growing steadily.
Today, yoga brings together millions of people of all ages and diverse backgrounds to honour this ancient tradition, Mohammed said, referring to the Guinness World Record set during last year’s Yoga Day commemorations for the most nationalities practising yoga together.
At least 135 countries participated in the 2023 yoga session.
“And I am proud to be part of that large group. This achievement is an incredible and powerful symbol of yoga’s global popularity, its universal appeal and its power to connect people with common interest and humanity,” she said.
Denis Francis, President of the 78th UN General Assembly, delivered the day’s greeting with “Namaste” and in his virtual message said yoga has been an integral part of India’s cultural tradition for thousands of years.
Over the years, yoga has spread through cultural diffusion to every corner of the world, with millions of practitioners seeking its mental, physical and spiritual benefits, he said.
He said the benefits of yoga – satisfaction and happiness, physical strength and flexibility, mental toughness, empathy and compassion, and peace of mind – are all qualities that should guide our efforts in the multilateral arena.
Francisco added that yoga’s ethical guidelines for living encourage non-violence, honesty and contentment.
“These principles resonate deeply with the core values of the United Nations, which seek to promote peace, justice and human dignity around the world, so I see in yoga a powerful metaphor for the United Nations itself,” he said.
Francis called on people to embrace the teachings of yoga not just as a physical discipline but as a philosophy to guide our collective efforts to build a better, stronger future for all humanity.
Ambassador R. Ravindra, India’s Charge d’Affairs and Acting Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said that in the decade since 2014, yoga has been embraced by people across the world like never before and today it has become a symbol of overall happiness, health and peace.
On this occasion, the United Nations Chamber Music Society performed a repertoire of world music and yoga teachers led meditation and yoga exercises.
