[1][2] As Yoga exercises have shown significant benefits for physical and mental well-being,[3][4] it was considered important by the UN to globally promote this wellness practice, which originated in ancient India.

[7] Subsequently, the first International Yoga Day was celebrated successfully on 21 June 2015, around the world including New York, Paris, Beijing, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul and New Delhi.

[11] In April 2017, UN Postal Administration (UNPA) issued 10 stamps on Asanas on a single sheet to mark International Day of Yoga.

The founder of Art of Living, Ravi Shankar, praised Modi's efforts, saying, "It is very difficult for any philosophy, religion or culture to survive without state patronage.

It stated that the main road in Delhi had become an exercise area for the occasion, and reported that while Modi was speaking of "peace and harmony",[22] some people in India thought the promotion of yoga was a partisan Hindu operation.

[22] The Christian Science Monitor wrote in 2016 that the 2014 United Nations resolution had been "wildly popular"[23] but noted that yoga had a "meditative component"[23] and had become known as not only a form of physical exercise but also a mental and spiritual practice.

[24] The article noted that Christian evangelicals agreed with the Indian government that yoga was "primarily a Hindu spiritual practice",[24] but quoted the scholar of religion Ann Gleig as saying that most Western yoga was markedly changed by being in the West, and was devoid of religious content; the "ironically"[24] agreeing views of strongly religious Hindus and Christians were "historically flawed".