The International Yoga Day is celebrated annually on 21 June since its inception in 2015. An international day for yoga was declared unanimously by the United Nations General Assembly. Here are some amazing facts about Yoga Day.
Significance of 21 June as Yoga Day
The whole world celebrates International Yoga Day on June 21. It is the Summer Solstice and the longest day in many parts of the world and also a day with special significance.
The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his UN address suggested the date of 21 June.
Guinness World Records
The first International Day of Yoga set two Guinness World Records. The official Yoga Day celebration by the Indian government was the biggest yoga gathering ever and the largest mix of nationalities. Likewise, diplomats from around the world gathered in Rajpath, New Delhi to witness the history in making.
Fastest implementation of any proposal in the history of the UN
International Day of Yoga was proposed and implemented in the UN body in less than 90 days. This was the fastest implementation of any proposal in the history of UN General Assembly.
The highest number of SMS sent
Approximately 900 million mobile users across India received an SMS from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in context to the first Yoga Day. As a result, this too is a world record.
Shirshasana for 61 minutes
Dubai expat Ivan Stanley performed the Shirshasana (headstand posture) for 61 minutes non-stop. This is also a Guinness World Record.
Yoga at the highest altitude in the world
Krishnakant Mishra (55) set a world record by holding a Yoga session at the highest altitude. He held a 45-minute yoga session with a group of about 40 people at Hilsa, a mountainous region near Nepal. Mishra took a yoga session at an altitude of 3,640 meters (11,940 ft). This is also a world record.
Largest participation
175 of the 193 UN member nations co-sponsored the resolution for the International Yoga Day.192 out of the 193 UN member countries celebrated the first Yoga Day. The exception is Yemen, because of the conflict there.
Over 250 million people around the world practice yoga, 20 million of them in the US. As a result, Yoga is a $80 billion industry, globally.