International Day of Yoga: What Are We Really Celebrating?

This month, we honor International Day of Yoga—but what exactly are we celebrating? Beyond the postures and group classes, what is yoga, really?

The word yoga originates from the Sanskrit root “yuj”, meaning to join, to yoke, or to unite. At its core, yoga is about connection—of body, breath, mind, and spirit. It’s a practice of remembering that we are not separate, but part of something greater.

A Glimpse into Yoga's Origins

Shiva at Murudeshwara Temple complex, India

Yoga is essentially a spiritual discipline based on an ancient science, which focuses on bringing harmony between mind and body. It is both an art and a science of healthy living.

The practice of yoga is believed to have started with the very dawn of civilization. The practice is believed to date back to the dawn of civilization—long before organized religions took shape. In yogic lore, Shiva is revered as the first yogi (Adiyogi) and the first teacher (Adi Guru)¹.

What the Teachings Say

A traditional depiction of Patanjali — a person or a group of people — revered as the sage and author of the Yoga Sutras..

• The Bhagavad Gita is often interpreted as stating:
  “Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.”²
  This popular reflection of verse 6.20 emphasizes that yoga is not merely about physical movement, but about an inward journey of self-discovery and ultimately, connecting with one's true nature.

• Patañjali’s Yoga Sutras (Sutra 1.2) define yoga as:
  “Yogaś citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ”³ — Yoga is the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind.
  Here, yoga becomes a practice of calming the mind-waves (vṛttis)—thoughts, memories, emotions—through meditation and concentration to realize the pure self beyond the mind or ego.

• Modern perspectives, such as those found on Wikipedia, describe yoga as a group of physical, mental, and spiritual disciplines that aim to control the body and mind in pursuit of liberation, as practiced within Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism⁴.

So, What Does Yoga Mean ?

We believe the practice may begin on the mat — but it certainly doesn’t end there.

The postures are not the goal; they’re simply preparation.
For the chaos and calm of daily life.
For heartbreak and celebration.
For the way we show up in the world.

True yoga is how you speak to your neighbor.
It’s how you take a breath before responding to a harsh email.
It’s how you make your bed in the morning.
It’s in finding joy in the simple things.
And in cultivating awareness, not just of your own body, but of the world around you as part of it.

So today, we invite you to sit in stillness for a few moments.
Let the breath settle. Let your mind soften.
And feel into the question:

What is yoga to me?

Let the answers arise — not from thought, but from your body, your heart, your experience.
Then, if you feel called, write it down.

Yoga lives in your breath, your gaze, your smallest gesture.
This, too, is practice.

References

1. Sadhguru. Adiyogi: The Source of Yoga. Jaico Publishing House, 2017.

2. Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 6, Verse 20. Translations vary; interpretation widely attributed to spiritual teachers and texts.

3. Patañjali. Yoga Sūtras, Sutra 1.2: “Yogaś citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ.” Various translations available; foundational source for Raja Yoga.

4. “Yoga.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga. Accessed June 2025.