International Yoga Day 2017

The purpose of International Yoga Day is to promote yoga and endeavour towards making it a part and parcel of everyone's daily routine. The benefits of a yogic routine are many, hence, motivating your loved ones to practice yoga is a must on this International Yoga Day. Here is a list of quotes and messages that you can share with them and inspire them to start their yoga workout.

Sitting on our desks all day, our bodies are confined to a limited space. This sedentary lifestyle has led to stiff back and strained neck. However, this limited space offers us more than we think it does. A two-minute stretch can do wonders to your mind and body. Sometimes, a stressed body can lead to a cluttered mind. Here are 7 easy-to-follow yoga stretches you can do on your desk that can keep you going through the day:

Anganwadi teachers' Yoga Day celebrations in Thane

WATCH: Bhartiya Kisan Union stages 'protest yoga' against government's apathy

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis takes part in Yoga Day celebrations

Bollywood actor Arbaaz Khan performs yoga in Mumbai

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en"> Yoga on board India&#39;s largest warship, the 44,400-tonne aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya! <a href="https://t.co/tNrcEKVIxo">pic.twitter.com/tNrcEKVIxo</a></p> &mdash; Rajat Pandit (@rajatpTOI) <a href="https://twitter.com/rajatpTOI/status/877370504843100161">June 21, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Assam honored, symbol of respect "gamocha" part of PM's Yoga Day attire

Meanwhile, Congress workers in Bhopal perform the 'Shavaasana' to protest against the farmers killed in police firing in Mandsaur

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en"> Muscles, mind and motivation is all one needs for Mallakhamb, a traditional Indian sport <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IDY2017?src=hash">#IDY2017</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Yoga4Health?src=hash">#Yoga4Health</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/UN">@UN</a> <a href="https://t.co/2looBOiApC">pic.twitter.com/2looBOiApC</a></p> &mdash; India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) <a href="https://twitter.com/IndiaUNNewYork/status/877357999110709248">June 21, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en"> Let&#39;s make a better choice for our better health <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Yoga4Health?src=hash">#Yoga4Health</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IDY2017?src=hash">#IDY2017</a> <a href="https://t.co/cXMKIFzQCA">pic.twitter.com/cXMKIFzQCA</a></p> &mdash; India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) <a href="https://twitter.com/IndiaUNNewYork/status/877341883210506242">June 21, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

International yoga day at SBOA school, Anna Nagar in Chennai

Inspirational

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en"> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YogaDay?src=hash">#YogaDay</a><br /> <br /> International <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YogaDay2017?src=hash">#YogaDay2017</a>: Famous sports stars who practice yoga<br /> <br /> ▶️<a href="https://t.co/4zq2h13bED">https</a><a href="https://t.co/4zq2h13bED">://t.co/4zq2h13bED</a> <a href="https://t.co/PLixGXb9gK">pic.twitter.com/PLixGXb9gK</a></p> &mdash; TOI Sports (@toisports) <a href="https://twitter.com/toisports/status/877353047575248896">June 21, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Lighting Yoga Yagna at Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore

(Courtesy: MIB)

India's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Syed Akbaruddin performs yoga in New York

(ANI)

In his speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged everyone to make Yoga a part of their lives and said that it has played a big role in connecting the world with India.

"Many countries which do not know our language, tradition, or culture, are now connecting to India through Yoga. The practice, which connects body, mind and soul, has played a big role in binding the world too," PM Modi said while leading the third International Yoga Day celebrations in Lucknow.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en"> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Himveers?src=hash">#Himveers</a> in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/yoga?src=hash">#yoga</a> sessions in forward areas of Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/InternationalYogaDay2017?src=hash">#InternationalYogaDay2017</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IYD2017?src=hash">#IYD2017</a> <a href="https://t.co/iKGcLXwumC">pic.twitter.com/iKGcLXwumC</a></p> &mdash; ITBP (@ITBP_official) <a href="https://twitter.com/ITBP_official/status/877352504954019840">June 21, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Jawans performing yoga on the third edition of International Yoga Day

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en"> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash">#WATCH</a> ITBP jawans doing Yoga at nearly 18000 feet in Ladakh in -25 degrees <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/InternationalYogaDay?src=hash">#InternationalYogaDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/YvSGqpQnxF">pic.twitter.com/YvSGqpQnxF</a></p> &mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/877353711609167873">June 21, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Yoga onboard aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya

Governor Ram Naik, CM Yogi Adityanath and Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya perform yoga in Lucknow

Brimming with excitement and energy, Delhiites gathered in large numbers at various parks and public squares across the city on Wednesday to mark the third International Day of Yoga, even as pre-dawn showers played a bit of a spoilsport.

Delhi: LG Anil Baijal, CM Arvind Kejriwal and Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu perform yoga

Yoga in Machu Pichu

WATCH: PM Modi performs yoga amidst heavy rain

CM Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Acharya Balkrishna perform Yoga in Guwahati

Yoga being performed at the USA embassy in Delhi

PM Modi performing yoga with thousands of participants in Lucknow

PM leading Yoga Day celebrations in Lucknow

PM Modi performs yoga in Lucknow

Yoga day celebrations in Baska (Croatia)

Yoga onboard INS Jalashwa and INS Kirch in the Bay of Bengal

Yoga mats become umbrellas in Lucknow as rain plays spoilsport

Make yoga as necessary in your life as is salt for food: PM

Yoga is about health assurance. It is not even expensive to practice: PM Modi

I urge everyone to make yoga a part of their lives

In addition to fitness, wellness is important. Yoga is a medium to achieve wellness: PM

I am glad to see several yoga institutes take shape over the last three years. Demand for yoga teachers is increasing: PM Modi

Aaj Yoga jan jan ka, ghar ghar ka hissa ban raha hai: PM Narendra Modi

Today, yoga has become a part of so many lives. Yoga's popularity outside India is high and has connected the world with India: PM

From Lucknow, I convey my greetings to all those joining the Yoga Day celebrations all over India

PM thanks Lucknow for their indomitable spirit to have braved heavy rainfall and turned out for the celebrations in such a large number.

PM Modi leads country-wide Yoga Day celebrations in Lucknow

Yoga is the foundation through which India can reach new heights: UP CM

Yoga is an art of life. It connects us all

I welcome the Prime Minister to Lucknow and am happy he is joining the celebrations here with us: Yogi Adityanath

UP CM Yogi Adityanath welcomes PM Modi

PM Modi arrives at Lucknow ground, to lead Yoga Day celebrations.

Rains lashed the Uttar Pradesh capital early on Wednesday, ahead of the International Yoga Day event where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to lead more than 50,000 people in practising yoga.

People flocked to the Ramabai Ambedkar Sthal, the main venue, and to 10 other major parks in Lucknow despite the showers.

People have been making it to the venue since Tuesday night in anticipation of getting a vantage place at the sprawling Sthal.

Yoga Day sculpture in Peru by sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik

Renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik dedicates his latest sculpture to Yoga Day