Updated June 16, 2015.

The International Day of Yoga, as named by the United Nations General Assembly, will be observed for the first time on June 21, 2015. The Prime Minister of India Narenda Modi proposed the official designation and the U.N. approved it in December, 2014. Modi has suggested that increased participation in yoga can encourage peace, harmony, and environmental consciousness. June 21 is the summer solstice, a day when many yoga events already take place, so it makes sense to align schedules and have one big multination celebration.

 

World Events

Modi, who does yoga regularly, will appear at a Yoga Day event in New Delhi, India to demonstrate postures and pranayama. There are a wide variety of international events planned, falling roughly into three categories. Many, but not all, of the events are free with registration. 

1. Events sponsored by Indian Embassies and Consulates

2. Independently organized events in major cities

3. Events hosted by individual local yoga studios.

How to Find an Event

There is a list of events at the International Day of Yoga website, but it's a bit hard to navigate and probably won't include the special classes at your neighborhood studio. Talk to your favorite teachers and studios to find out what they have planned. If you live in a major city with an Indian Embassy or Consulate, check with them. Many are planning lectures on yoga and Ayurveda, fairs, and food tastings as well as asana classes. Listed below are the major events that have come to our attention, but it seems the observance will be so widespread and disparate that we can't list everything, which is great news for raising awareness and participation.

We'll update with notable information as it comes to our attention. 

India: Info on events in more than 6 Indian cities, Including Narenda Modi's appearance in New Delhi. http://www.nhp.gov.in/international-day-yoga-2015

Vancouver:  Cosponsored by the province of British Columbia, Lulumemon, YYoga Studio, and gas company Altagas, Om the Bridge aims to be the biggest International Yoga Day gathering outside of India. The Burrard Street Bridge (hence the name) will be the site of a massive yoga class, starting at 8:30 AM. The Indian Consulate is putting on a separate day-long event at the Plaza of the Nations.
UPDATE: Om the Bridge has been cancelled. Stay tuned for more info.

New York: A celebration will occur in conjunction with Summer Solstice Yoga in Times Square, a previously established event that has been going on since 2003. 

Washington D.C.: The Embassy of India is putting on a day of free yoga on The Mall in Washington D.C. Events start a 8:30 AM. https://www.indianembassy.org/yoga/

San Francisco: The Consulate General of India, San Francisco presents a celebration at Marina Green Park from 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM. http://www.iydsf.org/

Houston: The Consulate General of India, Houston, will host an event with yoga class and a yoga fair at the George R. Brown Convention Center. http://iyogadayhouston.org/

Chicago: The Consulate General of India, Chicago has an event planned at the Odeum Expo Center in Villa Park. It will include lectures, yoga demonstration, and a screening of the film History of Yoga: The Path of My Ancestors. http://indianconsulate.com/

Brussels: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will address the European Parliament and Brussels Yoga Day begins at 10:30 AM in the Bois de Cambre. http://www.brusselsyogaday.eu/

London: There will be a free yoga event organized by Om Yoga Magazine at Alexandra Palace starting at 6am. http://www.iyd.yoga/

Paris: Sivananda Yoga Center in Paris has a day of yoga activities planned from 10 AM to 6 PM. http://www.sivananda.org/paris/comment.html#JourneeInternationaleDuYoga

The Hague: The Indian Embassy is hosting an event at Atrium City Hall with a guided yoga practice. http://www.indianembassy.nl/yoga.php

Tokyo: The Tokyo Yogathon will run from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM at the Global Indian International School. It is being organized by HSS Japan and the Indian Embassy. https://hssjapan.wordpress.com/upcoming-events/tokyo-yogathon-2015/

Beijing: The Indian Embassy and Beijing University co-host a celebration at Peking University. Peking University Event

Nairobi: An event hosted by Yoga Kenya at the University of Nairobi. http://yogakenya.org/events/8-international-yoga-day-4?date=2015-06-21-09-00

Participate at Home

Some online yoga video websites are getting in on the act by offering International Yoga Day deals.

Ekhart Yoga has a free video featuring Esther Ekhart leading 108 sun salutations (also known as a mala, which is often done on the solstice).