A Day That Speaks to the Heart of What We Do

Every year on August 14, the world pauses—quietly, purposefully—to honor something profound yet often not well understood: Yoga Therapy.

At Vivekananda Yoga University (VaYU), this day feels personal. It reflects not just what we teach, but who we are. It’s not about a date on the calendar; it’s about the growing recognition of an evidence-based healing tradition that touches lives in ways modern medicine is slowly coming to recognize.

From Humble Beginnings to a Global Movement

Global Yoga Therapy Day (GYTD) was first observed in 2019, initiated by Annie Jones Johnson as a way to celebrate and elevate the visibility of yoga therapy worldwide. What started as a spark has grown into a vibrant, global event. Now organized annually by the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT), the day not only celebrates the healing potential of yoga therapy but also serves as a platform for professional development and community engagement.

This year marks the 6th annual celebration, a testament to how far the movement has come and how deeply the world needs this work.

Coincidence? Or Not?

Interestingly, August 14th falls right before India’s Independence Day. freedom from oppression and suffering on a global, national, social, personal, and spiritual level — Well that is wellness and that is Yoga at its core. Chiita Vrutti Nirodhaha… through the true wholistic union.

For thousands of years, yogic wisdom has taught that health isn’t just about the body. It’s about the breath, the mind, the emotions, even the soul. On this day, we honor that ancient truth, and more importantly, we recommit to bringing it into the lives of people who truly need it.

Why Yoga Therapy and Why Now?

Let’s be honest, we’re living in intense times. Chronic stress, lifestyle disorders, emotional burnout, rising anxiety… they’ve become everyday companions for so many.

In this landscape, Yoga Therapy doesn’t shout, it listens.
It doesn’t rush, it holds space.

Rooted in the yogic idea of Panchakosha (the five layers of human existence), Yoga Therapy is gentle but deep. It’s scientific yet intuitive. It sees each person as whole, not just a diagnosis or symptom.

At VaYU, we’ve seen what happens when this wisdom is applied with care and precision. Whether it’s helping someone manage diabetes, reduce hypertension, heal from trauma, or simply reconnect with themselves, Yoga Therapy works. And more importantly, it empowers.

Want to Learn, Heal, and Serve?

If this speaks to something inside you, a desire to learn, to heal, to serve, we invite you to explore our M.S. and Ph.D. programs in Yoga Therapy.

At VaYU, we don’t just teach yoga therapy, we live it, we research it, and we share it with the world. Our students come from diverse backgrounds, but they all carry the same light forward: the belief that healing can be holistic, compassionate, and rooted in truth.

So maybe, on this Global Yoga Therapy Day, you can take a small pause, breathe in and ask yourself: Is this the path I’ve been looking for?

We’ll be right here if the answer is yes.


Let’s walk the healing path — together.

Thank you and See You at VaYU.