June 21, 2015
Richard Drew /AP
Thousands of New Yorkers are marking the first day of summer by practicing yoga in Times Square, during the 12th annual Solstice in Times Square.
Millions of people worldwide participated in the first International Day of Yoga on Sunday, a celebration of the ancient mindful exercise that gained recognition from the United Nations at the urging of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to Yahoo News, more than 30,000 places held yoga events in Modi's home state of Gujarat alone, while organizers said people in 187 countries joined yoga sessions on Sunday, many of them in sprawling outdoors settings.
In New York's Times Square, thousands rolled out their mats and contorted their bodies into tension fading poses to coincide with the 12th annual Solstice, signaling the start of summer.
"My hope is that yoga will give people everywhere the sense and the oneness we need to work together to live in harmony and usher in a life of dignity for all," said UN chief Ban Ki Moon, who was in attendance at the New York City event.
The potential health benefits of yoga include stress reduction, improved fitness through greater balance and flexibility, and management of chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and heart disease.
Philadelphia will celebrate this coming Friday with the International Day of Yoga in Philadelphia for Peace and Harmony, to be held at the Independence Park and Visitor Center Ballroom. Outdoor programs will be held between 9-11 a.m. and activities will move indoors from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. You can learn more about the event and register here.
Check out TIME's photo gallery from today's events in cities around the world.
