International Day of Yoga Sequence

In 2014, the United Nations proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga. The resolution states, "yoga provides a holistic approach to health and well-being, and a wider dissemination of information about the benefits of practising yoga would be beneficial for the health of the world population." 

Delhi, India

And so, thousands of people across the world gather on this day to honor the ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice. How beautiful it is to celebrate something that unites us rather than divides us! It seems appropriate since the word yoga derives from the Sanskrit word meaning to join or to unite and symbolizes the union of body and consciousness.

Join the thousands of yogis across the world on their mat. Here is a sequence that Geeta Iyengar put together specifically for this day:

• Tadasana – Mountain Pose
• Namaskarasana – Palms together (prayer pose)
• Urdhva Hastasana – Extend arms upward
• Uttanasana – Standing forward bend
• Adho Mukha Svanasana – Downward facing dog pose
• Urdhva Mukha Svanasana – Upward facing dog pose
• Uttanasana – Standing forward bend
• Tadasana – Mountain pose
• Utthita Trikonasana – Triangle pose
• Utthita Parsvakonasana – Side angle pose
• Virabhadrasana I – Warrior Pose I
• Parivrtta Trikonasana – Revolved triangle
• Parsvottanasana – Intense side stretch forward bend
• Prasarita Padottanasana – Wide stance forward bend
• Dandasana – Staff pose
• Janu Sirsasana – Head to knee seated forward bend
• Adho Mukha Upavishtakonasana – Upright wide angle seated pose
• Virasana with Parvatasana – Hero pose, clasped hands up
• Swastikasana with Parvatasana – Cross-legged pose, clasped hands up
• Parsva Dandasana – Staff pose twist
• Bharadvajasana I – Twist named after the sage Bharadvaja
• Marichyasana III – Twist named after the sage Marichi
• Urdhva Mukha Svanasana – Upward facing dog
• Dhanurasana – bow pose
• Ustrasana – camel pose
• Adho Mukha Svanasana – downward facing dog
• Sirsasana – head balance
• Sarvangasana – shoulder balance
• Halasana – plow pose
• Chatushpadasana – bridge pose variation
• Setu Bandha Sarvangasana – bridge pose
• Savasana – corpse pose
• Sit in dhyana (meditation)

Mysore, India

Durban, South Africa

Gujarat, India

Nashville, Tennessee, USA

Paris, France

Vienna, Austria

New York, New York, USA