Â鶹APP

people practicing yoga on lawn
The annual observance of the International Day of Yoga at the UN brings together yoga practitioners of all ages.
Photo:? UN Photo/Manuel El¨ªas

2026 Theme: Yoga for Healthy Ageing

This year marks the 12th International Day of Yoga with the theme ¡° Yoga for Healthy Ageing¡±, which emphasizes the importance of Yoga for all ages. Yoga can be a valuable practice for healthy aging because it supports many of the abilities that help people stay active, independent, and engaged as they grow older. By combining gentle movement, stretching, breathing exercises, and mindfulness, yoga can help improve balance, flexibility, strength, and mobility, while also supporting mental well-being and stress management. Because yoga can be adapted to different fitness levels and health conditions, it offers an accessible way for many older adults to maintain their physical and emotional health. These benefits support several goals of the (2021¨C2030), including promoting independence, reducing fall risk, enhancing quality of life, and encouraging person-centered approaches to health and well-being.

12th International Yoga Day event

Date: 18 June 2026 , 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. (EDT)

Location: UN Headquarters, New York

Organized by the Permanent Mission of India to the UN in collaboration with the UN Secretariat, the event takes place in the North Lawn Area of UNHQ. 

What is Yoga and why do we celebrate it?

Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. The word ¡®yoga¡¯ derives from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness.

Today it is practiced in various forms around the world and continues to grow in popularity.

Recognizing its universal appeal, on 11 December 2014, the Â鶹APP proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of Yoga by .

The International Day of Yoga aims to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practicing yoga.

The draft resolution establishing the International Day of Yoga was proposed by India and endorsed by a record 175 member states. The proposal was first introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address during the opening of the 69th session of the General Assembly, in which he said: ¡°Yoga is an invaluable gift from our ancient tradition. Yoga embodies unity of mind and body, thought and action ... a holistic approach [that] is valuable to our health and our well-being. Yoga is not just about exercise; it is a way to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature.¡±

The resolution notes ¡°the importance of individuals and populations making healthier choices and following lifestyle patterns that foster good health.¡± In this regard, the World Health Organization has also urged its member states to help their citizens reduce physical inactivity, which is among the top ten leading causes of death worldwide, and a key risk factor for non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes.

But yoga is more than a physical activity. In the words of one of its most famous practitioners, the late B. K. S. Iyengar, ¡°Yoga cultivates the ways of maintaining a balanced attitude in day-to-day life and endows skill in the performance of one¡¯s actions.¡±

International Yoga Day logo

Resources

Related Observances

 

Yoga was inscribed on the Representative List of the  in 2016. The philosophy behind the ancient Indian practice of yoga has influenced various aspects of how society in India functions, whether it be in relation to areas such as health and medicine or education and the arts. Based on unifying the mind with the body and soul to allow for greater mental, spiritual and physical wellbeing, the values of yoga form a major part of the community¡¯s ethos. 

in collaboration with the Government of India, has launched WHO mYoga - a yoga app to help people stay active and healthy. The app contains a collection of videos and audio files to teach and accompany yoga practice, and is an easy-to-use and free tool for both people, who are trying yoga for the first time, and for those who already practice yoga regularly. The app was developed by BeHe@lthy BeMobile, a joint initiative between the World Health Organization and the .

an abstract illustration of people engaged in an event

International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the Â鶹APP, but the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool. We also mark other UN observances.