International Day of Yoga, commonly known as World Yoga Day, is celebrated every year on June 21st. The day was established by the United Nations in 2014 to raise awareness worldwide about the many benefits of practicing yoga. June 21st, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, holds special significance in yoga as the summer solstice marks the transition to Dakshinayana, which is believed to support spiritual practice. The first World Yoga Day was officially held on June 21st, 2015, and this year marks its 10th anniversary. The commemoration serves as a reminder of the positive impacts of practicing yoga and encourages people around the world to incorporate yoga into their daily lives to improve their physical, mental and spiritual health.
As announced by the World Health Organisation (WHO), this year’s theme is “Yoga for Self and Society”. Yoga is a transformative practice and represents harmony between mind and body, balance between thought and action, and the unity of restraint and achievement. Yoga integrates body, mind, spirit and soul, offering a holistic approach to health and wellbeing that brings peace to our hectic lives. The transformative power of yoga is what we celebrate on this special day.
In Turkey and around the world, mass yoga sessions in public places, various workshops, seminars and classes are offered to allow people to try out yoga and share their experiences with others. One of the most wonderful aspects of yoga is that it provides an opportunity for like-minded health-conscious people to connect and take part in a collective ritual that for many is much more meaningful than just a form of exercise.
Luckily, yoga is extremely popular in Turkey, with classes available in almost every major city and most vacation destinations. There are also festivals centered around the practice, such as the annual Bodrum Yoga Festival, as well as a variety of retreat centers offering new-age yoga and wellness holidays. On World Yoga Day, many centers hold special introductory sessions for beginners, while public spaces like parks host special yoga sessions for large groups. The Indian Consulate also holds sessions in several cities each year to mark World Yoga Day, promoting the historic cultural practice.
How yoga came to Türkiye
Turkey’s first yoga studio is popularly known as Cihangir Yoga, which was founded in 2002. The studio is located in Beyoglu’s vibrant, diverse and hipster Cihangir district, adjacent to Platon Film Studios. Cihangir Yoga played a key role in popularizing yoga in Turkey and has since become one of Turkey’s most well-known and respected yoga studios. The studio was co-founded by Zeynep Aksoy, David Cornwell and Chris Chavez, all well-known figures in the Turkish yoga community.
As Turkey’s first dedicated yoga studio, Cihangir Yoga has played a key role in introducing yoga to a wider audience and laying the foundation for the growth of the yoga community in Turkey. The studio is community-focused, bringing together local and international yoga practitioners and fostering a supportive environment for yoga enthusiasts of all levels to learn and grow. Certification courses have also contributed greatly to the rise in yoga teachers in Turkey. Cihangir Yoga currently has four studios in Istanbul, located in Cihangir, Caddebostan, Maçka, and Maltepe. The second most popular yoga studio in Istanbul is Yoga Şala, which has branches in Nişantaşı, Etiler, and Kadıköy.
Yoga and Wellness in Türkiye
Turkey’s rich cultural heritage, beautiful landscapes and mild climate make it an attractive destination for wellness tourism, including yoga retreats and holidays. There are many wellness resorts and hotels that offer all-inclusive packages including yoga, spa treatments and healthy cuisine, catering to tourists seeking a holistic wellness experience. Ephesus Retreat Center, close to the ancient city of Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary, is one of the most spiritual and inspiring places in the country, combining a yoga retreat with a fulfilling holiday that includes visiting historical sites and nearby beaches. Retreats here and many other parts of the country can be booked through Workshopix.com.
Baba Camp in Fethiye is also the perfect place to immerse yourself in yoga. Having hosted a variety of festivals and retreats this summer and in the past, Baba Camp will be hosting One Yoga Fest from July 15-21. Then, at the end of the summer from August 26-September 1, Baba Camp’s Move Festival will also focus on yoga. Baba Camp regularly hosts special festivals and events, such as Beyond Music & Arts and Exploring Lycia. These are also very special and enlightening experiences with a community of like-minded people seeking health and deeper knowledge.
Lifeco in Bodrum is one of Turkey’s most famous detox centres, frequented by supermodels Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell, and is one of the most exclusive wellness retreats offering daily yoga sessions. Hızıl Valley near Gocek, Fethiye, is one of the most established yoga-focused centres, offering yoga camps led by internationally renowned trainers all summer long. Nova Soul in Fethiye is also a retreat centre set in nature, which regularly organises yoga retreats.
