Colourful sky and clouds reflecting over the Ganges River, Rishikesh

Beneath the solstice sun. International Day of Yoga

At sunrise, parks around the world become giant stretching sessions as mats roll out and millions practice balance, breathing and poses that sometimes wobble more than they flow smoothly. That is the spirit of the International Day of Yoga, celebrated every year on 21 June.

The date is no accident. It marks the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. In yogic tradition, it also signals the beginning of Dakshinayana, when Lord Shiva is believed to have begun sharing yogic knowledge with his disciples.

The United Nations recognised the day in 2014 after India's proposal gained support from a record 175 member states. A year later, the first celebration in New Delhi set Guinness World Records for the largest yoga lesson (35,985 participants) and the most nationalities in a single yoga lesson (84 countries). Today, yoga spans the globe through mass events, the 'Guardian Ring' broadcasts and even sessions aboard naval ships.