DD India

As the world prepares to celebrate the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) on June 21, India has announced a robust line-up of ten Signature Events to commemorate a decade of the global yoga movement. With the overarching theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” these events aim to broaden yoga’s reach across demographics, geographies, and disciplines, reinforcing its transformative impact on health, lifestyle, and cultural integration.

 

Over the past ten years, IDY has evolved from a symbolic celebration into a nationwide and global wellness initiative. The Ministry of AYUSH, which spearheads the event, has designed these ten Signature Events to deepen yoga’s engagement with various segments of society — from children and senior citizens to international delegates and urban youth.

 

 

The flagship event, Yoga Sangam, will see a mass yoga demonstration based on the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) held simultaneously at over one lakh locations across India on June 21 from 6:30 AM to 7:45 AM. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the national event from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The Common Yoga Protocol, developed by the Ministry of AYUSH, is designed to be inclusive and accessible, with materials available in 22 Indian languages, 6 UN languages, and 9 other foreign languages.

 

 

Yoga Bandhan focuses on international exchange, promoting bilateral collaboration through the mutual participation of yoga practitioners from India and partner countries. Indian delegates will conduct sessions and discussions abroad, while foreign representatives will be hosted in immersive programs in India culminating in the main IDY celebrations.

 

 

The Yoga Park initiative seeks to convert public parks in rural Panchayats and urban municipalities into dedicated yoga-friendly zones. These upgraded parks will host regular sessions led by trained instructors and feature informative displays to facilitate self-guided practice. Accessibility for all age groups and health needs remains a key component of this effort.

 

 

Acknowledging the diverse health requirements of different populations, Yoga Samavesh has developed special yoga modules tailored to groups such as children, adolescents, pregnant women, senior citizens, and individuals managing conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and mental health issues.

 

 

Yoga Prabhav is a research-driven initiative that assesses the ten-year journey of IDY, highlighting its influence on public health, policy, and awareness. The findings were unveiled during Yoga Connect, a global summit held on June 14, which brought together leading yoga experts from across the world.

 

 

Yoga Connect aims to serve as an inclusive platform for global dialogue on yoga. With hybrid participation, the summit encouraged cross-cultural exchanges, institutional collaborations, and discourse on making yoga relevant in modern, everyday life.

 

 

Linking wellness with environmental responsibility, Harit Yoga incorporates eco-friendly activities such as tree plantation drives and cleanliness campaigns into its yoga outreach. The initiative also promotes awareness about climate change and sustainable living through educational campaigns.

 

 

To appeal to younger audiences, Yoga Unplugged blends traditional yoga with modern formats. Youth festivals, workshops, and social media campaigns aim to spark interest in yoga. Events will include fusion performances, contests, and talks tailored for digital natives.

 

 

Yoga Mahakumbh will bring the festive spirit of yoga to ten cities across India, each focusing on specific themes like environment, youth, and inclusivity. Organised in collaboration with public sector enterprises, these events seek to make yoga more visible and accessible to the general public.

 

 

Lastly, Samyoga will explore the integration of yoga with other health systems including Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy, and modern medicine. Through collaborative events and expert discussions, Samyoga aims to create a shared knowledge base for public health interventions.