On Thursday, Dec. 11, the United Nations (UN) — co-sponsored by 170 member states — declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga (IYD), which was originally proposed in a UN meeting on Sept. 27, by India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.

“We need to make a change in our lifestyle, where energy has not been used, that is the cleanest, which will give different direction to our economy,” he said.

During the 69th General Assembly meeting, topics such as the global impact of Ebola, the need to include health issues in foreign policy formulation, the strengthening in global coordination, humanitarian assistance and the impact of yoga, were all discussed. The General Assembly adopted the resolution of IYD.

A UN press release from the meeting said General Assembly Vice-President Álvaro Mendonca E Moura of Portugal noted “the overwhelming support that the resolution on yoga had received, with more than 170 co-sponsors.”

During the meeting, “the representative of Sao Tome and Principe also underlined that yoga would not only promote health, but supported clarity of vision and action. That clarity could help prevent contradictions, which often generated confusion while making rules and promoting laws,” the press release said.

[Photo by Knowsphotos – CC BY]

[sc name=”Standard”]