International Day of Yoga

Every year, on June 21st, the entire world celebrates the International Day of Yoga (IDY), and so do we at Amrita Yoga.

Yoga is humanity’s birthright. It is the path to finding union with the whole of creation. We are not alone; our lives are in an intricate dance with all living and non-living beings, planets like the moon and the sun—the entire universe.

IDY is a reminder that the seeming differences between nations, religions, and traditions are only on the surface. Therefore, this particular day is an opportunity for us humans to dissolve all apparent differences—without and within, experiencing union—which is the highest goal of yoga practices. And, in the best case, carry this frame of mind with us throughout the year.

On this day, we as One practice together to experience the ‘Power of Harmony’—union with body, breath, and mind, and union with all life on Earth. We awaken to experience our innate potential and our highest purpose in life.

The ‘Power of Harmony’ is Amrita Yoga’s theme for the International Day of Yoga.

IDY Inspiration

Amrita Yoga was appointed in 2015 by the Indian Ministry of AYUSH and the MDNIY to help coordinate the promotion, propagation, and execution of all IDY activities in India and worldwide. Any organization wanting to celebrate the International Day of Yoga can contact Amrita Yoga for support to celebrate this special day.

Amma asked everyone to celebrate IDY by practicing a few simple asanas, and she gave a Satsang about the benefits of practicing Surya Namaskar.

Amma sets an example of living in harmony

Amma is the Embodiment of Yoga. Never has anyone done more to help people. Amma is a living example of the path of yoga on Earth today. She is tirelessly committed to improving the lives of people on our planet. She embraces all people, making no distinctions between people and their beliefs. Amma also upholds the ancient traditions of living in harmony with nature and with each other.

Amrita Yoga’s focus

The harmony between oneself and nature is a constant focus of Amrita Yoga. When body, breath, mind, intellect, and soul resonate in harmony through yoga practices, the individual consciousness unites with the Universal Consciousness. The individual ego and mind dissolve to radiate the truth of the Supreme Consciousness.

 

Surya Namaskar

As the Earth makes its yearly journey around the sun, the cycles of life reach their apex when the sun is at its peak height around June 21st. Since ancient times, people all over this beautiful Earth have known this as an auspicious day to honor the sun. Hence, the sun was rightfully worshipped for its life-sustaining influence. In Yoga, the Sun, or Lord Surya, represents the Universal Supreme Consciousness that illuminates everything.

“The purpose of Yoga is for our inner well-being. It does not belong to any particular faith or religion. It was passed on to us by the ancient seers for the well-being of humanity. Yoga helps us to reconnect with nature and eventually become one with God.” -Amma

Inclusivity

This inclusivity is the hallmark of Amrita Yoga. One can see and experience this with the practice of Amrita Yoga and, specifically, on International Day of Yoga: people all over the world, of different ages, different nationalities, and varied beliefs come together to practice yoga at the various Amrita institutions, following Amma’s unconditional love

International Day of Yoga gallery of previous years

Amrita Yoga and IDY around the World

We have reached 6 continents

60+ Countries

Countries with most participation count were India, Canada, USA, Denmark, and Ireland.

500+ places

Amrita Yoga visited various cities and went to villages, schools, universities, and various other institutions.

120+ Hubs

M.A. centers and Satsang groups from across the globe joined in the IDY movement with Amrita Yoga.

IDY 2016 Pictures

Amrita Vidyalayam - Nallampalayam, Tamil Nadu

Amrita Vidyalayam - Pune, Maharashtra

Amrita Vidyalayam - Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, Kochi, Kerala

Amrita Vidyalayam - Madurai, Tamil Nadu

Amrita Vidyalayam - Pathanamthitta, Kerala

Spain

Amritapuri, Kerala

San Ramon M.A.Center, USA

Paris M.A.Center, France

Amrita Vidyalayam - Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Amrita School of Ayurveda - Amritapuri

Amrita Vidyalayam - Madurai, Tamil Nadu

Paris with Indian Embassy and famous philosopher Edgar Morin

Amrita Vidyalayam - Kodungallur, Kerala

Amrita Vidyalayam - Madurai, Tamil Nadu

Amrita Vidyalayam - Ettimadai, Tamil Nadu

Amrita Vidyalayam - Davangere, Karnataka

Amrita Vidyalayam - Perumbavoor, Kerala

Edappal M.A.Math, Kerala

Amrita Vidyalayam - Ahmedabad

IDY 2015 Pictures

Amrita Vidyalayam - Ramnad

Amritapuri

Amrita Vidyalayam - Ahmedabad

Atlanta, USA

Amrita Vidyalayam - Bengaluru

Finland

Amrita Vidyalayam - Chavakad

Italy

Amrita Vidyalayam - Cheruthuruthy

Kenya

Amrita Vidyalayam - Davangere

Amrita Vidyalayam - Durgapur

Chicago, USA

Amrita Vidyalayam - Ettimadai

Amrita Vidyalayam - Kanhangad

France

Amrita Vidyalayam - Kannur

Amrita Vidyalayam - Kanyakumari

Melbourne, Australia

Amrita Vidyalayam - Kochi

Amrita Vidyalayam - Kodungallur

San Ramon, USA

Amrita Vidyalayam - Kolkata

Amrita Vidyalayam - Kollam

Washington DC, USA

Amrita Vidyalayam - Koyilandy

Amrita Vidyalayam - Kozhikode

Amrita Vidyalayam - Madurai

Amrita Vidyalayam - Mananthavady

Amrita Vidyalayam - Manjeri

Amrita Vidyalayam - Mumbai

Amrita Vidyalayam - Mysuru

Amrita Vidyalayam - Nagapattinam

Amrita Vidyalayam - Ottapalam

Amrita Vidyalayam - Palakkad

Amrita Vidyalayam - Pandalam

Amrita Vidyalayam - Pathanamthitta

Amrita Vidyalayam - Perumbavur

Amrita Vidyalayam - Puducherry

Amrita Vidyalayam - Pulpally

Amrita Vidyalayam - Puthiyakavu

Amrita Vidyalayam - Secunderabad,Telangana

Amrita Vidyalayam - Tanur

Amrita Vidyalayam - Thalassery

Amrita Vidyalayam - Thiruvalla / Harippad

Amrita Vidyalayam - Tiruchirappalli

Amrita Yoga and IDY India

From its humble beginnings, Amrita Yoga has expanded and reached more than 230 places all over India.

Youth can Lead

Our trained Amrita Yoga ambassadors traveled to 22 states all over India to organize, lead, and give classes in Amrita Yoga during the IDY events.

200+ Youth Student Trainers

We had over 200 youth student trainers travel across India to initiate and instruct Amrita Yoga.

150+ MA Centers

On IDY, Amrita Yoga sessions were organized in over 150 MA centers.

230+ Places

From its origin in Amrita Puri and its humble beginnings, Amrita Yoga has expanded far in India and has reached already more than 230 places.

Amrita Yoga of Mata Amritanandamayi Math, Amritapuri, Kerala, India was appointed in 2015 by the Indian Ministry of AYUSH and the MDNIY to help coordinate promotion, propagation, and execution of all IDY activities in India and all over the world.

IDY logo english amrita yoga

This means that any organization wanting to celebrate the International Day of Yoga could approach Mata Amritanandamayi Math and Amrita Yoga for support to celebrate.