UN Marks International Yoga Day With Global Participation
NEW YORK- Diplomats, United Nations staff and visitors from around the world gathered at UN Headquarters in New York to celebrate the International Day of Yoga with asanas, breathing exercises and meditation sessions.
This year’s theme was “Yoga for Healthy Ageing.”
In a message marking the occasion, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, “Yoga teaches us mindfulness, respect, and care for ourselves, for our planet, and for one another.”
“On this International Day, let us extend that care to the older members of our human family and build a world where every generation can lead a healthy life,” he added.
The celebration was held on Thursday ahead of the official International Day of Yoga observance on June 21.
Speaking at the event, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador P. Harish, recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of yoga as a global movement promoting health, wellness and international cooperation.
“The simplest yoga asana is ‘namaste,’ symbolizing the unity of mind and body of human and nature,” Harish said.
Held on the UN North Lawn near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, the event saw participants from countries across the world take part in yoga practices beginning with the chanting of “Om” and continuing through a series of asanas.
Similar celebrations were held across the United States. In Washington, hundreds of yoga enthusiasts gathered at the Lincoln Memorial for an event organized by the Embassy of India. Addressing participants, India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, described yoga as part of India’s civilizational heritage and said the practice had become widely embraced across American society.
The International Day of Yoga was established by the UN General Assembly in 2014 following a proposal by Prime Minister Modi. The resolution was co-sponsored by 177 countries, a record at the time. (IANS)
Hemant Patel, Chicago
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Participated in my third celebration of the 12th International Day of Yoga this year. This time, the event was held at National India Hub in Schaumburg and hosted by the Consulate General of India, with support from Indian associations across Chicagoland.
I noticed one thing consistently at these Yoga Day events: Surya Namaskar—the cornerstone of yoga and a practice known for its many benefits—was missing. Curious about the reason, I asked ChatGPT. What I discovered was quite shocking, but not surprising to me….
“Some religious groups raised concerns that Surya Namaskar—which literally means “salutation to the sun”—and the chanting of “Om” could be interpreted as acts of worship rather than purely physical exercises. In response, India’s Ministry of AYUSH removed them from the official Common Yoga Protocol used during International Yoga Day celebrations.”
I also noticed that one of the instructors was not chanting mantras or “Om.” To me, this sends the wrong message to the thousands of participants and feels disrespectful to yoga’s traditional roots. Such an instructor should refrain from yog, or at least from being an instructor!
They have to understand that Yoga is not only a physical exercise; it is a holistic spiritual practice that integrates body, mind, and breath, leading to balance, awareness, and inner well-being. Just focusing on physical aspect is could be harmful.
If someone has religious objections, they may choose not to participate. However, we should not dilute yoga to accommodate every belief system. Those who participate should respect its traditions, while others may refrain. There cannot always be a middle ground on everything.
I have been deliberately saying, “Yog is one of Bharat’s greatest gifts—especially from Hindu traditions—to the world.” If we do not set the correct narrative ourselves, others will do it for us.
I urge all Indian organizations, Hindu organizations, and government authorities to present Yog in its authentic and complete form.
Compromising its core traditions to accommodate the concerns of any one group could jeopardize the spirit and future of International Yoga Day.
June 29, 2026