CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY – 2025: YOGA FOR ONE EARTH ONE HEALTH

Yoga for One Earth, One Health – Celebrating International Yoga Day-2025

Introduction: International Yoga Day is celebrated on 21^st June every year to acknowledge our age-old practice of yoga and its benefits for mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. When the matter of celebrating International Yoga Day was addressed at the UN General Assembly in September 2014, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi came up with the idea for this international celebration.

“Yoga is a precious gift of India’s ancient tradition,” which promotes a balance between nature and people. Following this proposal, the then India’s Ambassador, Asoke Kumar Mukerji, presented a resolution to establish June 21^st as the official day of celebration. Subsequently, the United States declared 21^st June to be International Yoga Day, with overwhelming and unanimous support from 177 member states.

21^st June was chosen because it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and is symbolic of light, energy, and consciousness. Every year since 2015, people from all over the world join together to practice yoga to raise awareness of its potential and to create a more tranquil and healthier environment.

Sharing his views on “Man Ki Baat”, a monthly program, he said, “The theme of the International Yoga Day 2025 has been chosen as ‘Yoga for one Earth, One Health”. He wishes to make the whole world healthy through Yoga. He pointed out that keeping track of one’s steps, caloric intake, and daily burn were instances of how counting was becoming a habit in addition to fitness.

Another countdown is going to start among all of these counts. The International Day of Yoga countdown. There are now fewer than 80 days remaining till International Yoga Day is celebrated. Incorporation of yoga into our lives right away, if we haven’t started already. “There is still time,” he remarked.

The Concept of The Theme of International Yoga Day -2025:

Since the International Yoga Day (IDY) 2025 is approaching, the theme “Yoga for One Earth One Health” is drawing international attention and promoting a number of activities. Keeping in view international initiatives for sustainability and unification, this year’s theme highlights yoga’s benefits for emotional, physical, and environmental well-being. Following India’s petition in 2014, the United Nations recognized June 21 as International Yoga Day, marking ten years of commemoration.

Why this Theme is important today: Yoga for One Earth, One Health:

The theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health” for this year’s International Yoga Day is very pertinent in the modern world because it focuses on two of the most pressing global issues: people’s health and the planet’s health.

Over the past few years, we’ve witnessed an alarming increase in lifestyle disorders like obesity, diabetes, depression, and anxiety. Side-by-side, we are facing severe environmental challenges such as climate change, pollution, and loss of biodiversity. These issues are intrinsically linked—our well-being depends upon the well-being of the environment we inhabit.

Yoga provides a holistic solution that benefits both individual and global well-being. It promotes a balanced way of life, mental clarity, and inspires individuals to live more mindfully and compassionately. Through the practice of yoga, people become more aware of their habits, tending to eat better, consume less, and live more sustainably

A powerful role of Yoga in enhancing both personal health and the health of the planet:

A consistent yoga practice in the individual’s front promotes immunity, strengthens the body, reduces mental tension, and increases flexibility of the body and muscles. In this busy world, people are mostly suffering from stress, anxiety, and lifestyle-related issues, causing obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure, which can be lessened/reduced by continuous Yoga practice.

However, the advantages of yoga go much beyond the individual. Consistency in yoga practice at the individual level promotes thoughtful living and right decision-making since its pillars are Ahimsa (non-violence), Aparigraha (non-possessiveness), and Santosha (contentment). Owing to this increased awareness of environmental influence, the practitioners usually adopt eco-friendly practices like plant-based diets, sustainable consumerism, and proper waste management.

In this way, yoga promotes a healthier, more sustainable world for everyone by fostering a feeling of duty towards the Earth in addition to supporting individual well-being. In this way, we can achieve our goal “Yoga for one Earth, one Health”. 

Building connections across nations: Yoga Diplomacy

The innovative idea of International Yoga Day is to create Yoga Diplomacy —the strategic use of yoga to bridge the gap and maintain peace among nations. By offering a shared platform between the countries with different political ideologies, yoga provides a powerful symbol of soft power. To amplify its global reach, India has collaborated with international partners to host complementary training sessions and seminars. This rich cultural exchange not only deepens diplomatic bonds but also broadens global awareness of yoga’s benefits. As International Yoga Day 2025 unfolds, we can expect even more cross-border partnerships, further solidifying yoga’s reputation as a universal language of peace.

Modern Relevance of Traditional Wisdom:

The contribution of Indian Yoga to the world community is immensely beneficial. Yoga is rooted in the ancient scriptures of the Vedas and has been developed over thousands of years, and is still developing depending upon the needs of the people throughout the world. It is not as form of Physical exercise but as a form of complete system of personal growth and self-realization.

It connects the body, mind, and spirit through practices of Asanas, Pranayama, Dhyana, ethical living, and ultimately self-realization. This ancient Yoga has been internationally recognized as a path to inner peace, mental balance, and liberation, and this enriched knowledge continues to guide people throughout the world.

Because of its global appeal and well-established health advantages, yoga found a home in cultures all over the world as it expanded beyond national boundaries. Although Yoga is rooted in the ancient Indian Spiritual and Philosophical traditions,  its popularity in modern times has been widely projected as a worldwide health movement.  This ancient Indian culture has been shared with the world population. Thanks to International Yoga Day.

Integration of Yoga in the Global Health Care System:

In the International healthcare system, Yoga is gaining wide popularity in recent times, and it is being used as a powerful technique for treatment, rehabilitation, and preventive care. To address chronic disorders, stress, anxiety, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, and heart problems, the Doctors are now advising to start Yoga since it has been supported by scientific evidence. This enriched Indian culture of Yoga is being used in Hospitals, Rehabilitation centers, and many wellness centers, and also this enriched knowledge is being adopted as a part of integrative medicine by amalgamating medical care with complementary therapies.

Countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and many other countries have incorporated Yoga in their wellness plans, mental health support services, and public health systems. The Indian government also through the Ministry of Ayush, has included Yoga for the treatment of various chronic diseases. Yoga has also been recognized by the World Health Organization for universal health coverage and improving mental health.

Celebrating International Yoga Day – A Global Movement:

International Yoga Day is celebrated every year throughout the world on the 21^st of June with great enthusiasm and engagement. People from various sects, irrespective of caste and creed, gather in public places, including parks, schools, stadiums, community centers, and common places which are free for all to commemorate this auspicious day. People from urban and rural areas gather to gain knowledge and practice Yoga under the guidance of highly trained Yoga Teachers, Yoga Gurus, Public Servants, and Medical Professionals. The prominent National Leaders also take part in the main event organized by the Govt of India in a new city every year.

Various international organizations in countries like the United States, Canada, Germany, Australia, Japan, Russia, and other countries organize workshops, webinars, and public events. In these countries, the Yoga Studios and Wellness centers provide free yoga classes, guided meditation,n and community yoga drives.

Social media also plays a pivotal role in global challenges like live yoga broadcasts and hashtags like # InternationalYogaDay and # Yogaforall for connecting the people who wish to take part worldwide. By celebrating International Yoga Day, which has become more than a health event – it has been a global movement for unity, well-being, and peace.

Action steps practicing for self and planet:

1. Action Steps for Self:

It doesn’t take hours of practice to incorporate yoga into one’s daily routine; just a few regular practices may have a significant impact on his/her physical and emotional health.  The following easy yet powerful daily routines will assist you in adopting yoga as a way of life:

1. Start your day with Pranayama: Start your day with a few minutes of practicing Pranayama. Simple steps like Anuloma – Bilom or Bhramari Pranayama to calm your mind, increase focus, and set a positive tone for the day.
2. Practice Surya Namaskar: This dynamic sequence of 12 poses stretches and strengthens the entire body. Just 5 to 10 rounds every morning can boost your flexibility, energize your system, and improve circulation.
3. Include Asanas: Spare your valuable 30-40 minutes/day, either in the morning or in the evening, to perform Asanas as per your body’s requirement. Focus on poses that improve your posture, core strength, and balance. Some recommended beginner-friendly poses include:

Bajrasana

Bhujangasana

Balasana

Poorna Titli Asana

Naukasana

4. Practice Meditation: Spare 10-15 minutes daily for performing meditation. Focus on your breath, repeat a mantra, or simply observe your thoughts without judgment. This helps reduce anxiety and improve emotional resilience.
5. Eat Mindfully: Yoga promotes ahimsa (non-violence) and sattvic (pure) eating. Try to eat fresh, whole foods, and chew slowly with gratitude. Being mindful of what and how you eat is a yogic practice in itself.
6. End the day with relaxation: Practice Yoga Nidra to relax your body and calm your mind. This encourages deeper sleep and reduces restlessness.

By including these simple daily habits, yoga becomes more than just a workout—it becomes a way of life that provides balance, harmony, and inner peace.

1. Action Steps for Planet in Yogic Way:

Not only is yoga for personal well-being, but it also teaches us to live in harmony with the world around us. The 2025 theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health” of International Yoga Day reminds us that caring for ourselves and our environment go hand in hand. Here are some important action steps we can adopt as part of a yogic lifestyle to help protect our planet:

1. Adopt a sustainable lifestyle
2. Support eco-friendly Yoga
3. Eat Plant plant-based diet
4. Save Energy
5. Support environmental campaigns

When we are living in tune with the Earth, our every small step, when multiplied by millions, can create a huge impact. Let yoga guide us in our daily choices—for our well-being and the planet’s.

Conclusion:

The Theme “One Earth, One Health”  for this year’s International Yoga is more than an eye-catching phrase—it is also a widespread call to the world to embrace a holistic and sustainable lifestyle that teaches us our deep connection between our health and the health of the planet. The principles of yoga, rooted in Ancient India, encourage us to our consciously, mindful consumption, and live in harmony with nature, whereby we can improve our own physical and mental health by safeguarding our ecosystems, controlling pollution, and conserving resources.

The health of the world affects the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. Living sustainably is therefore necessary, mandatory and not optional. We can learn from this theme, “One Earth, One Health,” our responsibility, balance, and interdependence from yoga—values that are entirely consistent with the idea of “One Earth, One Health.” It’s a route to a cleaner planet, a healthier body, and a more lucid mind.

FAQ:

Question No: 1 – When is Yoga Mahotsav 2025?

Ans: Hon’ble Mr. Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of Ayush, already inaugurated the Yoga Mahotsav for the year 2025 in New Delhi, India to mark the 100-day countdown for International Yoga Day for the year 2025, which will be held on 21^st June globally. There will be 10 significant events in different parts of the country during this period. These 10 significant events are Yoga Sangama, Yoga Bandhan, Yoga Parks, Yoga Samavesh, Yoga Prabhava, Yoga Connect, Harit Yoga, Yoga Unplugged, Yoga Maha Kumbh, and SamYogam. 

Question No: 2 – Why is International Yoga Day celebrated?

Ans: To honor yoga and its advantages, we celebrate International Yoga Day. Yoga helps practitioners become more self-aware, manage their emotions, and cope with stress. In his 2014 address to the UN General Assembly, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed the idea of establishing a worldwide day to honor yoga, which is how International Yoga Day got its start.

Question No: 3 – Why is 21^st June is regarded as International Yoga Day?

Ans: Since June 21 is the Summer Solstice, the day with the maximum sunlight of the year, it was selected as the date. In all, 177 countries supported the resolution designating June 21 as International Yoga Day, which is the most co-sponsors of any UN resolution.

Question No: 4 – What is the context for this year’s International Day of Yoga?

Ans: The theme for the International Day of Yoga 2025 is “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”, as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his “Mann Ki Baat” radio address on March 30, 2025. This theme emphasizes yoga’s role in promoting holistic health and environmental harmony, aligning with India’s vision for global well-being through traditional practices

Question No: 5 – Why is the International Day of Yoga important?

Ans: The International Day of Yoga is important for several reasons—cultural, health-related, environmental, and even social. Here’s why it matters:

1. Promotes Physical and Mental Well-being
2. Raises Global Awareness About a Holistic Lifestyle
3. Celebrates India’s Cultural Heritage
4. Encourages Unity and Global Participation
5. Aligns with Sustainable Living and Environmental Awareness
6. Bridges Modern Science with Ancient Wisdom
7. Fosters Education and Outreach