Yoga, a heritage of humanity
In 2016 UNESCO added yoga to the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. What that means, and why yoga belongs to everyone who practises it.
IYC editorial team · October 15, 2026
Yoga began in ancient India. Over thousands of years it has been taught from teacher to student, and in the last century it has spread to every continent.
In 2016 UNESCO inscribed yoga on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognising it as a living tradition handed down through generations.
One practice, many traditions
Today yoga is practised in many styles, from classical Hatha and Iyengar to Vinyasa, Yin and Kundalini. Each has its own emphasis, and none is the only “right” way.
Why a registry?
The IYC registry counts the people who keep this heritage alive: those who practise, those who teach and the schools where they meet. It records them all equally, without ranking any tradition above another.
General information, not medical advice. Talk to a health professional before starting a new practice.
