21st June is International Day of Yoga – a dedicated time to celebrate and enjoy the practice and culture of yoga, which is one of the world’s most ancient traditions.
International Day of Yoga was made official by the United Nations General Assembly back in 2014, and since then has been supported by countries all over the world. The date itself is significant, too – 21st June is the Summer Solstice and marks the transition to Dakshinayana, a period in the Hindu calendar that observes the sun travelling towards the south on the celestial sphere.
Yoga is all about uniting the mind and body – it’s a holistic approach to health and wellbeing that encourages us to explore our senses, make connections with our surroundings and respect the power of our bodies. Yoga promotes mindfulness, being present in the moment and taking time for yourself. Whether you practice at home or at a class, yoga can be a wonderful way to switch off the stresses of modern life and centre yourself in simplicity.
How to practice yoga at home
You don’t need to go to a fancy studio to enjoy a yoga class – the basics of yoga are simple, and if you have a bit of floor space you’re good to go. We love Yoga With Adriene for easy-to-follow, enjoyable classes – her beginners programme is a great way to get started.
If you want to explore deeper into the practice of yoga or want something more advanced, Arundhati Baitmangalkar offers a wealth of yoga resources, from spiritual understanding to practical tips for doing yoga on your period, for example.
Yoga equipment to help your flow
The great thing about yoga is it doesn’t need lots of complicated equipment – really it’s just you and your body, working in sync. You might find some loose-fitting clothing helps, though – a relaxed yoga tee or some soft joggers will enable free movement will keeping you comfortable.
We also love this beautiful warm wooden yoga stool, which is a perfect spot for your meditation (and will look super stylish in your house, too).
For monitoring your heart rate and keeping an eye on your fitness levels, a smartwatch is another useful purchase for yoga practice.
Ways to celebrate International Yoga Day
During turbulent times, it’s vital for us to come together and connect through shared experiences. In 2021, the theme of International Yoga Day is ‘yoga at home with friends and family’ – a style to reflect the world we live in right now, but also a great opportunity to join in with some community yoga.
If you’re already an experienced yogi, why not encourage those you live with to join you in some gentle movements? You could even host a virtual session for friends and family who you can’t be with right now, to walk them through the basics. You could also take your yoga practice outside to your local park or garden and encourage those around you to join in with some breathing exercises.
If yoga is a whole new thing for you, sign up to some beginner classes with a friend and discover the culture together. You could do an online course together from your respective homes and catch up on your progress afterwards.
However you decide to mark International Yoga Day this year, make sure to focus on mindfulness and wellbeing – be kind to yourself, fuel your body with nourishing foods, turn off the screens and end the day with some gentle meditation.
Find more advice on unwinding in our tips for self care blog.
