How the world celebrated International Yoga Day 2025: From UN to Times Square

Here’s how countries across the world are marking the day:

Yoga at the UN headquarters

A special guided meditation session was hosted by the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations on the North Lawns of the UN headquarters in New York. According to PTI, The event drew over 1,200 yoga practitioners, diplomats, UN officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and the diaspora community.

#IndiaAtUN

Celebration of health and overall well-being! @IndiaUNNewYork organized the 11th #InternationalDayofYoga at @UN Headquarters today. This year’s theme is ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’.

PR @AmbHarishP mentioned in his remarks that the global resonance of Yoga has… pic.twitter.com/zDqOwFyOQJ

— India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) June 21, 2025

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador P Harish, in his welcome address, said:

“In caring for ourselves, we begin to care for Earth, reflecting the enduring Indian ethos of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, or the whole world is one family,”

Physician Dr. Deepak Chopra led the guided mediation session.

UN Secretary-General’s message

UN Secretary-General António Guterres in his official message said:

“The International Day of Yoga recognizes the ancient practice’s unmatched power to deliver healing, inner peace and physical, spiritual and mental well-being.”

He added:

“With roots in India but now embraced worldwide by people of all faiths and cultures, yoga unites people with its values of balance, mindfulness and peace with people and planet alike… On this important day, let us all be inspired by yoga’s timeless values and its call for a more peaceful and harmonious future.”

London celebrates with message from King Charles

In the UK, hundreds of people gathered at an iconic square on the Strand in London for a yoga session organised by the High Commission of India in partnership with King’s College London.

Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami opened the event by reading a message from King Charles III:

“The theme of this year’s day, Yoga for One Earth, One Health, reminds us how vitally important it is that the world comes together to secure a happy and healthy future for present and future generations.”

🧘‍♀️ The 11th #InternationalDayOfYoga was celebrated today at the iconic Strand, London!

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Yoga enthusiasts gathered for open and free yoga session hosted by @HCI_London & @KingsCollegeLon under this year’s theme: “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.” #IDY2025… pic.twitter.com/ga3Yugjrfe

— India in the UK (@HCI_London) June 20, 2025

Quoting the King, he added:

“Initiatives like the International Day of Yoga provide an opportunity to celebrate a practice and philosophy that means so much to so many. Year on year, Yoga is increasing in popularity across the United Kingdom, with millions of people in our country reaping its benefits. Yoga is a powerful means of enabling anyone to improve their physical and mental health and fosters a sense of wellbeing and togetherness within communities.”

The event opened with ‘Drums of India’ by Bhavan UK, followed by Surya Namaskar, Iyengar Yoga, and sessions led by Heartfulness UK, Art of Living, and Isha Foundation. The evening ended with ‘Samagam’, a yoga-dance performance.

Mass yoga at Times Square

Consulate General of India in New York, in collaboration with Times Square Alliance, hosted the 11th International Day of Yoga at Times Square. The day-long celebration, known as ‘Solstice at Times Square’, featured seven yoga sessions with about 10,000 participants from across nationalities, as per reports by PTI.

Acclaimed actor Anupam Kher was also present at the event.

CGI New York, in collaboration with @TimesSquareNYC, hosted a vibrant Yoga Session at the iconic Crossroads of the World – Times Square!

Here are a few more glimpses from this energizing celebration of wellness and unity. #YogaforOneEarthOneHealth@MEAIndia @AnupamPKher… pic.twitter.com/qseeKAP5Hg

— India in New York (@IndiainNewYork) June 20, 2025

The Consulate is also organising a month-long celebration of International Day of Yoga in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Connecticut.

The day also saw global digital participation as well, as New York City’s Department of Parks and Recreation held sessions like ‘Rise & Shine Flow.’ The organisation asked participants to ‘”join from wherever you are and connect with a global community honoring yoga’s power to uplift and unite.”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leading celebrations on International Yoga Day from Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh said on Saturday:

“Unfortunately, today, the entire world is going through some tension and unrest. Instability has been increasing in many regions. In such times, Yoga gives us the direction of peace. Yoga is the pause button that humanity needs to breathe, balance, and become whole again.”

(With inputs from PTI)