International Yoga Day — Finding Balance, Breath, and Belonging

Every year on June 21, people all around the world roll out their mats to celebrate

International Yoga Day — a global reminder of the power of stillness, breath, and

movement.

At Flourishing Minds Wellness Center, we believe yoga isn’t just about flexibility — it’s

about flourishing from the inside out. Whether it’s five minutes of mindful breathing or a

full wellness session on our Wellness Wednesdays, yoga helps us reconnect with our

bodies, our emotions, and our peace.

The Meaning Behind International Yoga Day

International Yoga Day was established by the United Nations in 2014 to highlight

yoga’s role in promoting physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. The date, June 21 —

the summer solstice — represents light, renewal, and balance.

This year’s global theme, “Yoga for Self and Society,” reminds us that our personal

wellness fuels collective healing. When one person chooses calm, compassion, and

clarity, that energy ripples throughout the community.

Why Yoga Matters for Mental Health

Yoga has been shown to reduce anxiety, depression, and stress by activating the

body’s relaxation response. For youth, families, and individuals in recovery, it teaches

mindfulness — the art of noticing the moment instead of escaping it.

At Flourishing Minds, yoga is more than a pose — it’s a practice of grounding, reflection,

and restoration. It aligns perfectly with our mission to nurture mental health through

holistic healing.

How We Celebrate at Flourishing Minds

Our team integrates yoga and mindfulness into many of our programs — from Wellness

Wednesdays during our youth enrichment camp to our Flourish in Motion community

wellness series.

We’ve seen firsthand how simple breathing exercises or stretching sessions can shift

energy in the room, lower stress levels, and help clients reconnect to their inner calm.

Whether it’s:

• Gentle yoga for grounding after group therapy

• Chair yoga for older adults or those in recovery

• Family yoga sessions that encourage bonding and laughter

— each practice is an invitation to breathe, release, and begin again.

Try This: A Mini “Flourish Flow” at Home

Pause and take three deep breaths.

Stretch your arms overhead and reach for the sky.

As you exhale, release tension from your shoulders and jaw.

Place one hand on your heart and one on your stomach.

Remind yourself: “I am grounded. I am safe. I am growing.”

Yoga for All

You don’t need fancy clothes, expensive mats, or perfect poses to start. You just need

you — exactly as you are, right now.

At Flourishing Minds, we encourage everyone — staff, clients, and community members

— to find peace in motion, stillness in chaos, and hope in every inhale.

This International Yoga Day, let’s commit to slowing down, breathing deeply, and

flourishing together.

Join Us

If you’re local to the Baltimore area, join our next Flourish in Motion Wellness Saturday

or Wellness Wednesday yoga session.

Together, we’ll move, breathe, and build balance — one mindful moment at a time.