On June 21, people across continents will rise with the sun—not to rush to work, but to breathe, bend, and be still. From corporate towers in New York to school courtyards in rural India, yoga has become a global ritual. But beyond the trending poses and fitness hashtags lies a deeper question: Why has the world turned to this ancient Indian practice?
The Origin: Who Started Yoga and Why?
Yoga wasn’t invented—it was discovered. Thousands of years ago, Indian sages explored the inner world with the same rigor scientists apply to the outer world. Around 200 BCE, a sage named Patanjali compiled the foundational wisdom of this exploration into the Yoga Sutras—196 concise instructions on how to overcome suffering and attain mental clarity. Patanjali’s yoga wasn’t about flexibility. It was about freedom—from chaos, confusion, and craving. Patanjali’s Yoga: Not a Workout—A Way Out
Patanjali’s Eightfold Path (Ashtanga Yoga) is a step-by-step guide to clean the mind, balance the body, and expand awareness.
1.Yamas & Niyamas – Ethical guidelines and personal disciplines on how to live, how to think.
2.Asana – Not gymnastics. Just a steady seat for stillness.
3.Pranayama – Breath isn’t just air. It’s the control for your emotions.
4.Pratyahara – Withdrawal of senses from distractions, pulling the senses inward, cutting the noise.
5.Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi – Deepening focus, meditation, and ultimately, union with the Self.
This isn’t fitness. It’s inner engineering. Patanjali Yoga teaches that when the mind becomes still, we begin to see reality as it truly is—free of distortion.
Why the World is Practising Yoga Now?
Because stress is universal, burnout is rising, and mental peace is rare. Yoga has become a global language of healing—accessible, secular, and transformative. CEOs, students, athletes, and parents turn to it not to escape life, but to live it more fully. Yoga asks nothing from you but attention. And it gives back everything—focus, balance, energy, and clarity.
What Makes It Radically Relevant Today
In a world that rewards speed, yoga values stillness. In cultures chasing constant stimulation, yoga celebrates quiet. Unlike fast-fix wellness trends, Patanjali’s yoga offers a lifelong path of growth. It teaches us that the real goal is not touching your toes, but understanding your thoughts. The body is the tool; the mind is the canvas.
Celebrations Across India
In Visakhapatnam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led over 3.19 lakh participants in a mass yoga event along RK Beach. Over 25,000 tribal students are set to perform 108 Surya Namaskars, aiming for a world record.
In Delhi, NDMC organised yoga sessions across Lodhi Garden, Kartavya Path, Talkatora and other public spaces. Around 2,000 people are expected to join.
In Bengaluru, the city is hosting mass yoga events under the “Yoga Sangam” initiative, with more than four lakh organisational registrations across the country and a record public turnout anticipated.
The Final Word: A Journey Inward
Patanjali’s yoga was never about performance. It was about presence. This Yoga Day, as the world unites in movement and breath, the invitation is simple: return to yourself. No mirrors, no scores—just the space between your inhale and exhale. In that space, says yoga, you’ll find something priceless: stillness that moves you, silence that speaks, and freedom that feels real.
