On June 21, as the summer solstice marks the longest day of the year, people across the globe — from seasoned practitioners to casual enthusiasts — will roll out their yoga mats in recognition of the International Day of Yoga. This global celebration, first initiated 11 years ago by the United Nations and the Indian government, underscores the widespread popularity and impact of this ancient Indian tradition.
In a historic move, the United Nations General Assembly witnessed overwhelming support for the Yoga Day resolution, with 175 countries co-sponsoring it. Passed unanimously in December 2014, it signified a rare show of unity among member nations. At the time, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reflected on the moment, saying, “In this century, we realize that yoga has united the world.”
The term “yoga” comes from the Sanskrit word “yuj,” which means “to unite.” Rooted deeply in Indian philosophy, yoga is designed to synchronize the body, mind, and spirit. Through a series of postures known as asanas, coordinated with breathing techniques, yoga aims to bring harmony and peace within. Whether it’s the rigorous style of Ashtanga or the more passive Yin yoga, its various forms have found resonance across continents, cultures, and demographics. Over the years, yoga has emerged as one of India’s most embraced contributions to global culture.
However, in many parts of the West, especially in the United States, yoga has evolved into something uniquely modern. Adaptations like “beer yoga” and the rise of billion-dollar yoga apparel industries reflect this transformation. Such shifts have raised concerns over whether yoga’s spiritual roots are being overshadowed by commercial trends, especially among those who view it as closely tied to Hindu devotional practices.
Nonetheless, proponents argue that yoga — no matter how it is practiced — has become embedded in the cultural fabric of the U.S. This year’s Yoga Day theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” will be commemorated across America through a series of events. Among them is a sunset yoga session at the United Nations headquarters in New York City, which two years ago set a Guinness World Record for the most nationalities participating in yoga simultaneously.
Tirlok Malik, founder of the Happy Life Yoga organization, emphasized the universal benefits of the practice. “Yoga, (whether) you do it right or do it wrong, do it this way or that way, it is still beneficial,” he said. He described yoga as “one of the greatest gifts India has given to the world.”
For Malik — who is also an Emmy-nominated filmmaker and restaurant owner — yoga represents more than just physical exercise. It’s a lifestyle rooted in Ayurvedic nutrition, positive thinking, and stress-free living. His organization promotes classes that include affirmations, mindful self-talk, and laughter. According to him, mats are optional. “There’s no need for a mat,” said Malik, who is scheduled to present at both the UPLIFTNY yoga event in Central Park on Friday and an online session hosted by the Indian Consulate on Sunday, June 22.
“Yoga is how you breathe, how you think, what are your emotional values and what are your physical stances,” Malik explained. He cautioned against equating fitness with well-being. “I know many people who practice yoga, but they’re not healthy. They’re not happy. Just because you work out in a health club for one hour every day, it doesn’t give you a happy or healthy life: it gives you a muscular body.”
Guruji H.H. Dileepkumar Thankappan, a globally known Hindu spiritual teacher, also underscored yoga’s deeper significance. While he acknowledged that yoga’s popularity in the West is often centered around its fitness benefits, he emphasized that this is only one aspect of a broader spiritual discipline. His vision extends to seeing yoga formally recognized in global sporting arenas. “Why did the universe give us legs and hands? To do something,” he remarked. “By doing yoga, you get less tired and have more energy. A lot of the time, we are not stretching properly, or we are not getting balance or strength.”
Thankappan also dispelled the idea that expensive gear or classes are necessary. “Lots of people have a wooden floor in their apartment, which is the best,” he said. A longtime U.S. resident, he founded the World Yoga Festival in 1993, choosing the summer solstice as its symbolic date. He has spent years collaborating with spiritual leaders and public officials to help the day gain international prominence. On Friday, he plans to lead a yoga session at the Church Center for the United Nations, specifically designed for those seeking a more spiritual connection through their practice.
“Indian philosophy and Indian culture is for every single being around the globe, not only for Indians,” Thankappan said. “We want to showcase around the world we are under one God, under one family.”
In New York, several spiritual communities are participating in the celebrations. The Brahma Kumaris, a meditation-focused women’s ashram, will hold an event titled “Spirit of Yoga” on Saturday at their Global Harmony House in Great Neck. The organization highlighted the distinction between spiritual yoga and commercial wellness culture.
“In today’s commercialized wellness world, yoga is often reduced to fitness,” said Gayatri Naraine, the Brahma Kumaris’ NGO representative at the U.N., in a press release. “But the true spirit of yoga is about connecting to our highest self, to the Supreme, through spiritual awareness.”
Another major celebration is set to take place in Times Square, where yogis will participate in the Mind Over Madness yoga event. This day-long gathering includes free classes at the Broadway pedestrian plazas and online. Tim Tompkins, former president of the Times Square Alliance, described the event as a spiritual retreat within the city. “Thousands of people are making a different kind of pilgrimage to Times Square, and under the bright light of the longest day of the year, they are bringing just a little bit of stillness, and a little bit of santosa (contentment), to this intense and crazy city that we love,” he stated on the event’s website.
Reflecting on the journey of yoga from the East to the West, Malik believes the efforts of Indian spiritual leaders from the 1960s onward have left a lasting legacy. The foundational ideas they brought with them, he said, continue to thrive in various forms across the Western world.
“I think whatever is happening is very good,” Malik noted. “My salute to the American people who have really promoted yoga. Now, the whole world knows about it.”