International Yoga Day is observed on 21 June every year. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed it in resolution 69/131 on 11 December 2014, and the first observance was on 21 June 2015 (United Nations). Most people mark it with a group practice early in the morning, often outdoors; if you want to give something for the day, a light mat that works on a terrace or lawn is the most useful gift, and we weave two that suit.
What the day is
The UN's own statement at the first celebration in New York on 21 June 2015 called it "this first International Day of Yoga" and traced it to resolution 69/131, "adopted by the General Assembly on 11 December, declaring the 21st of June each year as the International Day of Yoga" (President of the General Assembly, 2015). The date was proposed because 21 June is the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere (International Day of Yoga, Wikipedia). In India it has become a morning of open-air practices in parks, on beaches and in school grounds, and of smaller gatherings on terraces and in studios.
We have no view on how you should mark it. What we can speak to is the mat under you, and what to give.
Ideas for the morning
- Practise outside, early. The sun is up early in June, and a terrace floor is still cool first thing. A thin grass mat on a swept terrace feels very different from a foam mat in a studio.
- Join a community practice. If there is a public session near you, take a mat that is light to carry and easy to clean afterwards.
- Teach someone. A friend, a parent, a child. One round of Surya Namaskar on a shared mat is an honest way to spend the day.
- Give a mat to someone who has started. The person who has been borrowing a mat for three months will remember a gift that arrives around 21 June.
Two mats for the occasion
Prices are at the time of writing; the product pages show current figures.
| Sambu Diamond | Indico | |
|---|---|---|
| Made of | Sambhu grass woven with organic cotton | GOTS-certified organic cotton |
| Thickness | 3 mm | 5 mm |
| Size | 183 × 68.5 cm | 183 × 68 cm |
| Weight | ≈1 kg | ≈1.4 kg |
| Colour | Pale grass with plant-dyed green and peach diamond lattice | True indigo, ribbed weave, hand-knotted tassels |
| Feel | Firm, cool, breathable | Dense cotton, warmer, absorbs sweat |
| Care | Shake out, wipe with a damp cloth; never soak | Hand wash cold, dry flat in shade |
| Price now | ₹1,999 | ₹4,499 |
Sambu Diamond is the mat for the morning itself. It weighs about a kilogram, rolls small, stays cool to the touch in June heat and shakes clean after a terrace or lawn. Grass is firm rather than cushioned, which is honest to say; for standing poses and seated practice that firmness is welcome, for long kneeling less so. We write about the grass in sambhu grass mats: what the grass is and why it feels cool, and about outdoor practice in practising yoga on a terrace, garden or beach.
Indico is the mat for the year that follows. A 5 mm handwoven cotton rug in true indigo, it is the one we would give to someone who has decided to practise seriously; cotton grips better as palms dampen, and it washes in cold water.
Both have a thin layer of natural tree latex brushed onto the underside by hand, which holds on tile, marble and wood. If you are allergic to natural latex, choose with care and write to us first.
Gifting for a group
Studios, offices and residents' associations often organise a 21 June session and want mats for everyone taking part. For that, write to us through the Contact page with the number, the mat and the date; lead times depend on the loom schedule, so the earlier the better. For a single gift, order from the product page and check the Shipping page for current terms; we do not quote delivery dates in articles because they vary by location. If the person you are giving to teaches, our guide to gifts for yoga teachers goes further.
Frequently asked questions
When is International Yoga Day?
21 June, every year. The UN General Assembly proclaimed it in resolution 69/131, adopted on 11 December 2014, and it was first observed on 21 June 2015.
Why is International Yoga Day on 21 June?
The date was proposed because 21 June is the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, the summer solstice, and carries significance in several traditions.
What is a good gift for International Yoga Day?
A mat the person will use: a light grass mat such as our Sambu Diamond (about ₹2,000 at the time of writing) for outdoor and summer practice, or a cotton rug such as the Indico (about ₹4,500) for daily practice through the year. Order early and check the Shipping page rather than counting on a date.
Which mat is best for an outdoor Yoga Day practice?
A thin grass mat. It is light to carry, cool on a June morning, firm on uneven ground and cleans with a shake and a damp cloth. Cotton works well too, but it absorbs dew and takes longer to dry.
If you are getting ready for a 21 June morning, the Sambu Diamond is the one to look at first, and the mats for travel and outdoors gather the lighter options.
