Help Raise Awareness of Duty to Respect All, Secretary-General Urges in Message for International Day of Yoga

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for the International Day of Yoga, observed on 21 June:

Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India and is now practised in various forms around the world.  The word ‘yoga’ derives from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness.

Yoga balances body and soul, physical health and mental well-being.  It promotes harmony among people, and between ourselves and the natural world.  Recognizing its universal appeal, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of Yoga.

This year’s observance of the International Day of Yoga highlights the important role healthy living plays in the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals, adopted last year by all 193 United Nations Member States.

As exercise, yoga has multiple benefits.  Physical inactivity is linked with a number of non-communicable diseases, such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, which are among the leading causes of illness and death worldwide.  By improving fitness, teaching us how to breathe correctly, and working to diminish stress, yoga can help to cultivate healthier lifestyles.

Practising yoga can also help raise awareness of our role as consumers of the planet’s resources and as individuals with a duty to respect and live in peace with our neighbours.  All these elements are essential to building a sustainable future of dignity and opportunity for all.

On this International Day of Yoga, I urge everyone to embrace healthier choices and lifestyles and to commit to unity with our fellow human beings, regardless of ethnicity, faith, age, gender identity or sexual orientation.  Let us celebrate this Day — and every day — as members of one human family sharing one common, precious home.