International Yoga Day 2020: Here's how the world is celebrating the special day

Swami Ramdev wishes everyone a very happy International Yoga Day. The Yog guru says that it's extremely important to stay positive and happy. "Practising yoga on a daily basis helps to shed off the negative energies", says Swami Ramdev. He says that yoga is an effective tool for keeping diabetes under control that too in a quick and instant manner. The yoga asanas for instant sugar control include Mandukasana, Kapalbhati and Anulom Vilom.

Sharing a picture of himself performing yogasana on International Yoga Day 2020, Suresh Raina wrote, "Yoga is not a part of life, it’s a way of life. #Internationalyogaday2020."

The members of the High Commission of India in Pakistan enthusiastically participated in the International yoga day 2020 celebrations.

Taking to Twitter, the 'Master Blaster' wrote, "Celebrating #FathersDay by doing some Yoga together! #InternationalYogaDay."

Taking to Twitter, Gautam wrote, "“Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self” - Bhagavad Gita #InternationalYogaDay."

Taking to Instagram, Kirti wrote, "Happy #internationalyogaday everyone  Me and my niece #Zoe were doing so well till #Shadow, our dog barked and we both shat in our pants P.S - Start them young ...or even better you do it, and kids around will follow your footsteps anyway."

On International Yoga Day 2020, one of the fittest actresses of the Television industry, Aashka Goradia took to Instagram to share photos of videos of her intense workout session with husband Brent Goble. Alongside she wrote, "It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. ~ Jiddu K."

Taking to Instagram, Shilpa shared a photo of her husband Raj Kundra and son Viaan and says that International Yoga Day is special as Father's Day is also being observed today.

Counted amongst one of the fittest actresses of the Bollywood industry, Bipasha Basu also wished everyone on International Yoga Day 2020.

Taking to Instagram, Sonnalli shared a picture of herself performing yoga and wrote, "Yoga is being on top of the world! Happy Yoga day to all."

Mandana Karimi wishes her fans on the occasion of International Yoga Day by performing yogasanas herself.

Actor Rajniesh Duggal celebrated Father's Day by practicing yoga with his daughter. With that, he also marked the occasion of International Yoga Day. In his Instagram post, he wrote: "Tu mujhse hai, aur main tujhse… What better gift on Father's day to have a loving daughter who motivates me to do Yoga regularly.. love you."

Taking to Instagram, late Rishi Kapoor's daughter Riddhima wrote, "ONE world ONE language - YOGA #happyworldyogaday."

Taking to Instagram, Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty Kundra shared an elongated post along with a video on International Yoga Day 2020 that read, "Wishing you all a very Happy International Yoga Day. Today I’ve shared a personal ritual with you all. I've been chanting the Shanti Mantra after every yoga session, because it helps me tell the Universe, our guiding force in nature... that I surrender to the will of nature. I accept that I don't know it all and I want to be drawn towards a better existence. I understand how limited my knowledge is of my own being and ask to be connected to all elements of nature in the way that humans were meant to be. Today, I pledge to work on bettering myself every day, so I can be of service to all in this lifetime, how I was intended to be. When this acceptance comes from within, you start realizing the deeper meaning of life. Shared the mantra here along with its meaning. Hoping we can all adopt and follow it as a way of life."

Celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar took to Instagram, she shared a list of yoga asanas that one should perform on International Yoga Day 2020. 

Taking to Instagram, Debina wrote, "Happy #internationalyogaday."

Taking to Twitter, Anupam Kher wrote, "If you can’t go outside. Go inside!! Folded hands #InternationalYogaDay2020."

Taking to Instagram, Bollywood diva Malaika Arora shared a video and wrote, "This International Yoga Day, you should not just take up yoga as a workout form but as a lifestyle. As long as you have yourself, your loved ones, you have the power to overcome any obstacle. Today being Sunday, give yourself a little love. Practice yoga, cook for your family, spend the evening in conversations and just dwell in all the positivity. I wish everybody a happy international yoga day!"

The Vise President Venkaiah Naidu tweeted, "The world is going through challenging times and we simply cannot allow the pandemic to get the better of us. We have to unite and put up a stronger fight and to ensure that we are healthy, both physically and mentally. #InternationalYogaDay."

Encouraging 'yoga at home' in the times of COVID-19 pandemic, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla performed yoga at his residence on International Yoga Day today.

Bollywood actress Taapsee Pannu took to Instagram and shared a photo of herself performing yoga on International Yoga Day 2020. Alongside she wrote, "Like most of us, I always thought that yoga is just about twisting our body into complicated contortions and about being a human pretzel. Until @munmun.ganeriwal told me it isn’t. Sitting on the mat every day for few minutes, trying to tune in even when infinite thoughts might interfere, offers as much benefits to our body and mind. The act of meditating is actually classified as ‘Upasana Yoga’ in Yogic scriptures. An incredible stroke of luck is that International Yoga Day today coincides with the Solar Eclipse. An eclipse is one of the best time to deepen our spiritual practice, so make sure you meditate today for few minutes at least."

Taking to Twitter, the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind performed various yoga asanas and shared its importance. He tweeted, "Greetings on #InternationalYogaDay. The ancient science of Yoga is India’s great gift to the world. Glad to see more and more people adopting it. Amid stress and strife, especially with #Covid19,  practicing Yoga can help keep the body fit and mind serene."

On the occasion of International Yoga Day 2020, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal performs yoga at his residence.

The ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) personnel of Animal Training School (ATS), Lohitpur performed yoga with horses on the occasion of International Yoga Day 2020.

Rajat Sharma, Editor-in-Chief and Chairman, India TV, on the occasion of International Yoga Day shares the importance of this healthy practice. He says if you want to reduce the burden of doctors, then adopt yoga. Yoga not only prevents diseases but also makes the mind and brain healthy. He tweeted, "योग दिवस ये याद दिलाता है कि हम कितने ही हॉस्पिटल बना न लें कभी पूरे नहीं पड़ेंगे. अगर डॉक्टर्स का बोझ कम करना है तो योग अपनाएँ. योग ना सिर्फ़ बीमारियों से बचाता है बल्कि मन और मस्तिष्क को भी स्वस्थ बनाता है. निरंतर योग करिये. रोगों से मुक़ाबला कर पाएँगे."

The ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) personnel, deployed at India-China border, performed yoga at an altitude of 14000 feet at Vasudhara glacier near Badrinath on the occasion of International Yoga Day 2020.

The ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) personnel performed yoga at an altitude of 18000 feet, in sub-zero temperatures, on the occasion of International Yoga Day.

Union Minister of Minority Affairs, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi tweeted, "अंतर्राष्ट्रीय योग दिवस की शुभकामनाएं। Happy #InternationalYogaDay."

Various techniques of pranayamas can help strengthen our respiratory system, says PM Modi. They can help boost our immunity and enhance family bonding. 

PM Modi, while addressing the nation on International Yoga Day 2020 said, "All of us are doing yoga at home with the family. Yoga unifies people, unifies the world. Yoga is helping us in this fight against this pandemic. The pranayamas help us in building immunity and resolving respiratory illnesses."

Yoga can make everything possible, says PM Modi in his speech on International Yoga Day 2020. It helps in boosting the confidence to deal with adverse situations. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the United Nations can be credited for bringing International Yoga Day into existence. On September 27, 2014, during his speech at the UN General Assembly, Narendra Modi put forth his suggestion for the occasion of a 'Yoga Day'. On December 11, 2014, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 21 as 'International Day of Yoga', months after Modi had proposed the idea.

READ MORE: International Yoga Day 2020: Theme, benefits of Yoga and everything you need to know

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation at 6:30 am on the occasion of the International Yoga Day. PM Modi's speech will be televised at 6:30 am, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said.

Beginning with the 'Nataraj asana,' Swami Ramdev teaches 21 advance yoga asanas on International Yoga Day 2020.

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar wrote, "Yoga frees you from your worries. Practice Yoga for a better tomorrow. Take part in the #MyLifeMyYoga video blogging contest."

The AYUSH Ministry said that since mass gatherings are not advised in view of the COVID-19 outbreak, 'Yoga at Home, Yoga with Family' is being encouraged to celebrate the 6th IDY2020 at home with families.

On the eve of International Yoga Day, the Ministry of AYUSH shared several images and a short video of popular cartoon characters doing yoga. This unique way aims to attract children towards practising yoga.