History

The idea to celebrate International Day of Yoga originated 15 years ago by Dharmachari Sw. Maitreyananda.

Dharmachari Maitreyananda and Vijay Kumar Malhotra 2000, new Delhi.

This initiative for the celebration of the International Day of Yoga in 2001 was from the president of International yoga Federation: Dharmachari Sw. Maitreyananda, found support from many global leaders. At first, the Prime Minister of Nepal Sushil Koirala supported the proposal of Modi. More than 170 countries including USA, Canada, China have supported this move, including 175 nations co-sponsoring the resolution. It had the "highest number of co-sponsors ever for any UNGA Resolution of such nature."On Dec 11, 2014, the 193-member U.N. General Assembly approved by consensus a resolution establishing June 21 as 'International Day of Yoga'. The resolution also saw a record number of 175 countries co-sponsoring it. Prior to the 2014 UN resolution declaring June 21 as International Day of Yoga, formal the International Yoga Federation, celebrated the International Day of Yoga from 2001 to 2015 every year at the Patanjali Jayanthi two days before diwali (October- November).

The initiative for the celebration of the International Day of Yoga in 2001 and the official declaration of Rishikesh as World Capital of Yoga, was from the president of International Yoga Federation: Dharmachari Sw. Maitreyananda, who found support from Yoga Federation of India, and many leaders of continental and national yoga associations all over the world. The international Yoga Federation is the largest yoga organization in the world and is open to all yoga organizations.

In 2003 at the worldwide yoga conference in Portugal, others national and continental of America, Europe and Asia supported the cause and idea of Dharmachari Sw. Maitreyanandao of International Yoga Federation declaring Patanjali Jayanthi as International Day of Yoga (This was the first time yoga asociación form America, Europe and Asia were endorsing it in large numbers).

In 2004 in India at the international yoga conference, national and states yoga associations of India, supported the cause and idea of declaring Patanjali Jayanthi as International Day of Yoga. This was the first time yoga gurus from India were endorsing it in large numbers.

In 2005 Jagat Guru Amrta Suryananda president of Yoga Portuguese Confederation member of International Yoga Federation suggest to change the name and date of International Day of Yoga to World Yoga Day and celebrate every 21 of June (North Summer Solstice).

In the year of 2006 Samira Radsi in Germany suggesto to change name also to World Yoga Day, but yo celebrate every Febuary near the shivaratri.

In the In December 2011, international humanitarian and meditation and yoga Guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and seven other yoga gurus, supported the cause of from the delegation of the Yoga Portuguese Confederation feo change the date of celebration, and together gave a call to the UN to declare June 21 as International Yoga Day.

The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modiduring his address to UN General Assembly on September 27, 2014, call for the adoption of 21 June as International Day of Yoga.

"Yoga is an invaluable gift of India's ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfilment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help us deal with climate change. Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day."

On Dec 11, 2014, the 193-member U.N. General Assembly approved by consensus a resolution establishing June 21 as 'International Day of Yoga'