Did you know International Yoga Day is coming up? Held every year on June 21st, this unique holiday celebrates the healing and historic aspects of one of our favorite exercise techniques. International Yoga Day is more than just a social media trend to show off your latest yoga moves—it’s a day to honor the impact yoga techniques have had on our psyche and spirituality.

This year, the F3 team plans to celebrate International Yoga Day with a day of mindfulness, kindness to others, and—of course—yoga practices.

In honor of International Yoga Day, here’s everything you need to know about the holiday—and a few ways to honor the yogi in you!

What is International Yoga Day?

Although the holiday itself is relatively new, only beginning in 2015, yoga itself stretches back thousands upon thousands of years. In 2014, representatives from India suggested a new day of reverence for yoga and its impact upon the world. And in 2015, the first International Yoga Day officially kicked off!

The day’s creators chose June 21st because it is the summer solstice—this day has great significance in many religions and spiritual practices, but in layman’s terms the summer solstice is the day each year with the maximum amount of sunshine. The very first International Yoga Day—June 21st, 2015—featured 36,000 people performing 21 asanas in New Delhi. Can you imagine that many people engaging in yoga practice together?!

Today, celebrations happen all over the world, from small studio sessions to enormous events still held in New Delhi.

How do I celebrate International Yoga Day?

Short answer? Do yoga!

In addition to a personal yoga practice, there are a ton of ways to honor this important day. Yoga isn’t just about the poses and the exercise—the true practice of yoga honors mindfulness, empathy and kindness toward others, and a shared sense of peace and light. If you’ve ever attended a yoga session, you’ve probably heard the word, “Namaste.” Namaste, derived from the Sanskrit words for “worship,” “adoration,” “homage,” and “salutation,” is equal parts greeting and celebration. It’s used as a respectful greeting and welcome, and also used as an expression of gratitude at the end of a yoga practice.

We bring this up because the central tenets of yoga can be found in this simple greeting: yoga allows us to worship and adore ourselves and our spirituality, while honoring and paying homage to the people in our lives. With that in mind, taking time with people you love and respect is an excellent way to celebrate International Yoga Day.

Here are a few ways to celebrate:

• Try a personal or group yoga session. This can be a quick session at home, led by a YouTube yogi, or a group class at your local studio.

• Try something new in your practice. If you’re already an established yogi, add something new to your routine, like a pose you’ve been meaning to try or an extra emphasis on breath.

• Take special care to treat others with kindness. Bring your inner peace to your outer world by sharing kindness and empathy with others.

• Spend time in nature. Take time to experience the natural peace of the great outdoors. An outdoor yoga session can be an extremely relaxing—and even spiritual—experience.

• Focus on mindfulness. Not just in your yoga practice, but in your daily life. A five-minute meditation before that stressful work meeting or writing down a gratitude list at the end of your day can add some much-needed tranquility to your day.

• Introduce someone you love to the yogi lifestyle. Share your love of yoga with someone else! Yoga is its most fun and special when you share it with someone you care about.

Now let’s put it into action…

Are you someone who needs the guidance and expertise of a certified yoga instructor to really get into your practice? We’ve got you covered! F3 Wellness Connections offers individual and small-group yoga coaching, available as both in-person and virtual sessions. Drop us a line at sarah@f3connections.com to get started!

However you choose to celebrate International Yoga Day, we hope you know that the light in us honors the light in you! From all of us at F3, we say “Namaste.”