New Delhi, Jun 21: From the forest floors of ancient India to the rooftops of Seoul and the squares of London… Yoga has become the world’s quietest revolution. On the 12th International Day of Yoga, let’s celebrate India’s greatest export -  a 5,000‑year‑old science that has transformed global wellness.

It began with sages seeking silence and discipline. In 1893, Swami Vivekananda carried yoga’s wisdom to the West, sparking curiosity that would grow into a movement. His book Raja Yoga, written in Manhattan, reshaped Western understanding forever.

Global Rise
By the 1960s, seekers on the hippie trail found themselves in Indian ashrams. The Beatles’ visit to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in Rishikesh made headlines, and yoga became India’s first great soft power export — decades before the term even existed.


Numbers That Inspire
Today, 36 million Americans practice yoga, spending over $16 billion annually. Germany counts 15 million practitioners. Saudi Arabia has woven yoga into its education system. From East Asia to Eastern Europe, the mat is everywhere -  and India’s yoga capitals, Rishikesh and Mysuru, welcome seekers from across the globe.

Science Meets Tradition
Modern science now validates what sages knew. Yoga improves heart health, reduces anxiety, sharpens cognition, and even supports diabetes management. A landmark study found Kundalini yoga as effective as conventional therapy for anxiety disorders.

Also Read: Swami Ramdev Leads Mega Yoga Day Event In Amaravati, Calls For A Yoga-Centric World

In 2014, India proposed June 21 as International Day of Yoga - now celebrated in 192 countries. Yoga is not a relic. It is a living answer to the challenges of the 21st century. And it is India’s timeless gift to humanity." "This International Day of Yoga, let’s take pride in India’s gift to the world - and roll out the mat together.