This coming Sunday, the world celebrates two very different — yet surprisingly connected — traditions: honouring our fathers and stretching into the ancient art of yoga!
This coming Sunday, the world celebrates two very different — yet surprisingly connected — traditions: honouring our fathers and stretching into the ancient art of yoga!
Every year on the third Sunday of June, people around the world celebrate Father's Day — a special day to show appreciation for dads, grandfathers, stepfathers, and all the father figures in our lives. The modern Father's Day tradition began in the United States in the early 20th century, largely thanks to a woman named Sonora Smart Dodd, who wanted to honour her own father who raised six children on his own. Today, Father's Day is celebrated in over 50 countries, including Singapore, where families might treat their dads to a meal at a hawker centre or a fancy restaurant, gift him something meaningful, or simply spend quality time together. In Singapore, it is common to see families gathering at places like East Coast Park or Gardens by the Bay to enjoy the outdoors — and what better way to bond with dad than trying something active together?
Sharing the spotlight on 21 June is the International Day of Yoga, a global celebration declared by the United Nations in 2014 and first observed on 21 June 2015. The date was chosen because it is the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere — the longest day of the year — which holds great significance in many cultures around the world. Yoga itself is an ancient practice that originated in India more than 5,000 years ago. The word 'yoga' comes from the Sanskrit word 'yuj', meaning to unite or to join, reflecting how yoga connects the mind, body, and spirit. Today, there are over 300 million people practising yoga worldwide, and Singapore is no exception — you can find yoga studios, community classes, and even school wellness programmes offering yoga sessions right here in our sunny island.
Yoga is much more than just stretching. It combines physical postures called 'asanas', controlled breathing known as 'pranayama', and mindfulness or meditation. Studies have shown that regular yoga practice can improve flexibility, build strength, reduce stress, and even help with concentration — something very useful for students preparing for exams! Some of the most well-known poses include the Downward Dog, the Tree Pose, and the Warrior series. Even just 10 to 15 minutes of yoga a day can make a significant difference to your mental and physical well-being. Singapore schools and the Health Promotion Board have increasingly encouraged yoga and mindfulness as part of student wellness, recognising that a healthy mind is just as important as a healthy body.
So this weekend, why not celebrate both occasions at once? Roll out a yoga mat with your dad, try a few poses together, and share a laugh when someone wobbles in Tree Pose. Whether your father is a seasoned athlete or someone who has never touched a yoga mat in his life, the act of trying something new together is a wonderful gift in itself. Father's Day and the International Day of Yoga both carry the same gentle message at their heart — take care of yourself, take care of the people you love, and find moments of peace and joy in everyday life.
Happy Father's Day to all the amazing dads out there, and namaste to yogis everywhere!
