International Yoga Day live updates: World joins India in performing asanas

Yoga has become an integral part of lives around the world and its many benefits are now backed by scientific research.

PTI Photo

New Delhi: The enormous benefits of Yoga for the human mind and body is now an established fact backed by scientific research. More importantly, it is backed by countless tales of how men, women and children from all walks of life and from all over the world have improved their lives by bringing Yoga into their lives. On the occassion of the 4th International Yoga Day, the world once again joins India in doing asanas that promise a fit body and a sound mind.

Here are the live updates of how India and the world is celebrating the 4th International Yoga Day:

21 June 2018

12:30 IST

Celebrations in Afghanistan:

Celebration of #InternationalYogaDay2018 #IDY2018 at the Embassy premises in Kabul. @moayush pic.twitter.com/MH8NcNHaiV

— India in Afghanistan (@IndianEmbKabul) June 21, 2018

Yoga is being celebrated with fervour across SAARC nations and elsewhere.

12:28 IST

Pakistan joins Yoga Day celebrations:

In Islamabad, Pakistan, celebrating peace, happiness, brotherhood and health on the 4th International Day of Yoga. #InternationalYogaDay2018 pic.twitter.com/5GeN6NjSjU

— India in Pakistan (@IndiainPakistan) June 21, 2018

Many participants came out in Islamabad and several other Pakistani cities to perform Yoga asanas.

11:00 IST

Yoga for a social cause?

News agency ANI reports that locals in Haldwani (Uttarakhand) performed Yoga to demand shifting of a trenching ground near Gola Bypass. They say 90 lakh tonnes of waste dumped here produces poisonous gases.

10:59 IST

Chinese Yoga enthusiasts join Indians in Beijing to celebrate International Yoga Day.

‘We for Yoga’

Inspired by message of Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Chinese and Indian yoga lovers come together to perform Common Yoga Protocol at the India House in Beijing today #InternationalYogaDay2018 pic.twitter.com/fxQfoobzvV

— India in China (@EOIBeijing) June 21, 2018

Another example of Yoga bringing together people of different countries.

09:50 IST

PM Modi said earlier today that Yoga is one of the biggest unifying force in the world.

Ahmedabad: 800 differently-abled persons from across the country attempt Guinness World Record for 'Largest Silent Yoga Class' on #InternationalYogaDay2018 pic.twitter.com/Y9kBCjqRsD

— ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2018

Yoga is indeed meant for all!

09:46 IST

Trivia alert!

International Yoga Day 2018: These celeb couples are Yoga partners as well!

09:41 IST

Personnel on Indian Naval Ships Shakti and Kamorta of the Indian Navy's Eastern fleet, presently on a deployment in western Pacific ocean and south east Asia, practice Yoga, reports ANI.

09:23 IST

Yoga finds a home in Cambodia:

Thank you All for your participation and making the #IDY2018 grand success in 4 provinces & cities in #cambodia #phnompenh #sihanoukville #siemreap #battambang @manikajainifs @IndianDiplomacy @moayush @moeyscambodia @tourismcam @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/VjgtAG6f3c

— India in Cambodia (@indembcam) June 21, 2018

Two days earlier, 1100 enthusiasts had participated in a similar event in Angkor Wat - the world's largest religious monument.

08:55 IST

And that's a record!

Close to 1.05 lakh people perform Yoga together in Rajasthan's Kota to set a new Guinness World Record.

08:51 IST

Yoga on board INS Virat:

Maharashtra: Navy personnel perform Yoga on board INS Virat, which is stationed in Mumbai. #InternationalYogaDay2018 pic.twitter.com/k8z4XhPOff

— ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2018

INS Virat is India's premier aircraft carrier.

08:50 IST

I want it (Yoga) to become a people's movement because it is not something political or religious, it is for betterment of our lives. It shouldn't be just for one day, it should be a part of our daily lives.

-- Vice President Venkaiah Naidu in Mumbai

08:37 IST

Americans say yes to Yoga!

Yoga being performed at the US Embassy in Delhi on #InternationalYogaDay2018. pic.twitter.com/YM42gKUtmp

— ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2018

Back in the United States, people are expected to come out in large numbers to practice Yoga as well.

08:35 IST

How has Yoga helped you and your loved ones?

Which Yoga asana would you recommend?

Has Yoga helped you not just become physically fit but mentally alert?

Tweet your message, photos and videos using #YogaYug

07:55 IST

From the desert mountains of Leh to the high seas, click here to check out how armed forces have shown their commitment towards Yoga.

07:54 IST

The event in Dehradun's Forest Research Institute concludes after PM Modi and almost 50,000 participants practice a number of asanas.

PM Modi makes it a point to wave at all the enthusiasts gathered to celebrate International Yoga Day.

07:53 IST

Spectacular pics from Indian Navy:

Eastern naval command staff perform yoga on board INS Jyothi in Bay of Bengal off Visakhapatnam. Eastern Naval Command's submarine staff also participated in #InternationalYogaDay2018. pic.twitter.com/M1tmfUZM6r

— ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2018

Armed Forces have repeatedly showcased how Yoga can be extremely beneficial to staying fit.

07:23 IST

Click here for a quick recap of what PM Modi said a short while back about Yoga and its benefits.

07:06 IST

Indian embassies around the world are celebrating International Yoga Day.

Here are a few glimpses:

Yoga sessions continue all over #Singapore since 16 June in association with our more than 30 partner organisations . A #Yoga session in River Valley area of Singapore organised by #SVYASA . More than 100 centers and 170 sessions till 24th June 2018 #IDY2018 #IDYSG2018 pic.twitter.com/9K6P8WmAkL

— India in Singapore (@IndiainSingapor) June 21, 2018

Special Yoga session today at India House for the Spouses of various Head of Missions in Canberra pic.twitter.com/5ZUCONJnOS

— India in Australia (@HCICanberra) June 20, 2018

???????????? ?????????????? ??? ???? ? ??????. ??????????????? ???????? ???? ?? ???? ??????: ? ?????? ?? ??????: ?? ??????????? ??????????? -
???????, ???????? ??, ????????#IDY2018 #Russia @MEAIndia @moayush @ICCR_Delhi @IndianDiplomacy pic.twitter.com/RIQFLpGpwM

— India in Russia (@IndEmbMoscow) June 20, 2018

Embassies in several other countries too will join celebrations as and when morning dawns.

07:01 IST

PM Modi says Yoga has taken people from illness to wellness and adds that this is why millions of people around the world have taken a special liking for it.

"Millions of people die because of high stress. It is shocking. Yoga helps bring down stress levels and helps people lead better lives. It can bring down money spent on treating illnesses. I urge those who are yet to join the Yoga movement to come, embrace good life."

06:59 IST

PM Modi say Yoga may well have become one of the most powerful unifying force in the entire world. "The world has embraced Yoga and glimpses of this can be seen from the way International Yoga Day is celebrated around the world."

"Yoga has become the biggest mass movement towards good health and has become a positive influence in the lives of millions. Yoga is beautiful because it is ancient and modern, constant and yet evolving."

"In Yoga, we have the perfect solution for the problems we face - either as an individual or as part of society."

06:50 IST

PM Modi addresses the world on the occasion of International Yoga Day.

Yoga Day greetings!

In a short while from now, PM @narendramodi will be joining the Yoga Day programme at the FRI campus in Dehradun. pic.twitter.com/7nyw3Xg92l

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 21, 2018

"I welcome admirers of Yoga. It is my privilege to be in Uttarakhand on this special day."

"From Dehradun to Dublin, from Jakarta to Johannesburg, it is all about Yoga. It is playing a crucial role in bringing people and societies closer together."

"Today, people from all over the world consider Yoga as their own. For us Indians, it is a proud moment. If we are proud, the world will be proud of Yoga. But if we are not sure of our strengths, no one will have faith."

06:47 IST

Sudarsan Pattnaik's sand art creations will inspire you to be fit. Click here to read the report.

06:45 IST

The numerous benefits of Yoga is very well known. Little wonder then that man  Bollywood celebrities regularly practice a number of asanas.

Click here to find out more about favourite Yoga exercises of your favourite Bollywood celeb.

06:44 IST

PM Modi is in Dehradun for the 4th International Yoga Day. 

Previously, PM Modi led celebrations on International Yoga Day at New Delhi's Rajpath in 2015, the Capitol Complex in Chandigarh in 2016 and Lucknow's Ramabai Ambedkar Sabha Sthal last year.

06:41 IST

PM Narendra Modi once again leads the celebrations and he is in Dehradun's Forest Research Institute currently. Here, he will join thousands of volunteers in doing Yoga asanas.

A strong advocate of Yoga, PM Modi regularly does asanas and recently released a video of his morning exercise schedule.

"Yoga is not just a set of exercises that keeps the body fit. It is a passport to health assurance, a key to fitness and wellness. Nor is Yoga only what you practice in the morning. Doing your day-to-day activities with diligence and complete awareness is a form of Yoga as well," he has said previously.

06:40 IST

People all over the country have woken up early to join in Yoga-related festivities. Reports from Ahmedabad, Surat, Mumbai, Chandigarh and several other places show that thousands have come together to do a number of asanas.