Participants do a mountain pose during the International Yoga Day, on 21 June 2026, on the grounds of the Palais des Nations, in Geneva.
© Permanent Mission of India
WHO celebrated the 12th International Day of Yoga on 21 June 2026. This year, the United Nations' day explored the theme of 'yoga for healthy ageing', recognizing the potential benefits of practicing yoga as we grow older.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, shared in a social media video on Sunday: “As people live longer, our goal is not just more years, but better years. Yoga supports this through gentle movement, breathing and mindfulness.”
Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice. The word itself derives from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness. By combining gentle movement, breathing and mindfulness, yoga supports balance, flexibility, strength and mobility – abilities that are essential for staying active and independent as we age. A 2019 study found that 77% of people reported feeling physically stronger after regular yoga practice.
Yoga also promotes mental well-being, helping to reduce stress and improve overall quality of life. A Harvard Medical School study found that 60% of participants with depression experienced a significant reduction in symptoms after practicing hot yoga twice a week for eight weeks.
Grounded in science
Over the past 20 years, a growing body of scientific evidence has demonstrated a range of positive and measurable impacts of practicing yoga, including reducing stress and anxiety and improving strength and flexibility.
Researchers are also beginning to uncover less obvious potential benefits. For example, there is mounting evidence that yoga can support brain health, whether by improving memory or slowing cognitive decline – particularly beneficial for healthy ageing.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology this year also found that, when combined with standard care, three hours of gentle yoga a week reduced anxiety, emotional distress, fatigue and insomnia – four of the most common and challenging long-term health effects – in cancer survivors.
The WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre stewards a vision for people and planet to flourish through traditional medicine practices that are evidence-based, safe, effective, equitable and sustainable. The Centre calls for the integration of traditional medicine, like yoga practice, into health-care systems, as well as inclusive cross-sector partnerships and community engagement to achieve universal health coverage.
The Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034 addresses contemporary challenges and opportunities, including ageing populations, the rising burden of noncommunicable diseases, antimicrobial resistance, health workforce shortages, digital transformation, biodiversity loss and climate change. By situating traditional medicine practices, like yoga, within these broader global health and sustainable development agendas, the Strategy reframes traditional medicine as a strategic contributor to resilient health systems and planetary health.
Facilitators lead a “Practicing Balance” yoga session during a break in Plenary 3 at the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine on 18 December 2025.
© WHO/CBAS Films
Yoga is for everyone, everywhere
With its roots in ancient Indian spirituality and ritual, yoga is often associated with ancient wisdom and timeless tradition. But it is the practice’s flexibility and adaptability that have allowed it to become a global phenomenon. Today, an estimated 300 million people around the world practice yoga, which is almost double the number of people with gym memberships.
People of all ages and abilities can benefit from the practice, making it an accessible pathway to better health everywhere. Adapted poses ensure that even those with mobility limitations can experience yoga’s benefits safely.
By linking this year’s International Day of Yoga with the Decade of Healthy Ageing – which calls for older generations to be able to live with dignity, independence and well-being – WHO is encouraging people of all ages to roll out a mat and give yoga a try.
In collaboration with the Government of India, WHO launched the mYoga App in 2021, which provides accessible, evidence-based yoga guidance for people of all ages and backgrounds. The app is based on rigorous scientific review and expert consultation, and is currently available for Android and iOS in English and in Hindi, with other UN languages coming soon. WHO has also developed a technical report on yoga training standards, published in December 2025, to ensure quality, safety and inclusivity in yoga instruction worldwide.
There were mass yoga global celebrations that brought hundreds of people together for a 90-minute practice yoga, one organized by the Permanent Mission of India, Geneva at the Palais des Nations, Geneva and another by the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations at the United Nations’ New York Headquarters.
The hope is that International Day of Yoga will inspire people to adopt yoga as a free, accessible and adaptable way to keep active, improve mental health and maintain a healthy lifestyle at every age.