From ancient India to every continent
Yoga began in India thousands of years ago. Today it is practised in many languages and traditions, by people of every faith, culture and age.
A living heritage
The word yoga comes from Sanskrit and is often translated as “union”. Classical texts describe yoga as a path of ethics, posture, breath, concentration and meditation, of which the physical postures are only one part.
In 2014 the United Nations declared 21 June the International Day of Yoga, and in 2016 UNESCO inscribed yoga on its list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Yoga belongs to everyone who practises it.
Many paths, one practice
No style is better than another. These are some of the traditions people bring to the registry.
Hatha
The root of most modern postural yoga: postures and breath, often at a steady pace. A good place to start.
Vinyasa
Postures linked to the breath in a flowing sequence that changes from class to class.
Ashtanga
A set sequence of postures practised with a steady breath, traditionally six days a week.
Iyengar
Precise alignment, often with props such as blocks and straps, so postures can be adapted to every body.
Sivananda
A gentle, classical approach built around twelve core postures, breathing, relaxation and chanting.
Kundalini
Breath, movement, chanting and meditation, aimed at awareness and energy.
Yin and restorative
Slow, supported postures held for minutes at a time, to relax and release.
Meditation and pranayama
Practices of breath and attention at the heart of many yoga traditions.
Practised on every continent
South Asia
Where yoga began, and where many of its great schools and teachers still live and teach.
The Americas
From studio classes in cities to yoga in schools, parks and community centres.
Africa
A growing community of teachers and practitioners, outdoors and in studios.
Europe
Practised widely for decades, in every style from classical Hatha to modern flow.
East and Southeast Asia
Yoga alongside the region’s own traditions of movement and meditation.
Oceania and the islands
Practice by the sea, on retreats and in local studios.
International Day of Yoga, 21 June
Every year on 21 June, people around the world practise together in parks, squares and homes. The United Nations recognised the day in 2014. IYC invites everyone in the registry to take part, wherever they are.
How to take part