Celebrate International Yoga Day with your team and attendees
For many planners and attendees, this time of year marks the midpoint of a calendar that rarely slows down. But fear not—your day of respite is closer than you think. June 21 marks the 11th annual International Day of Yoga, themed this year around “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.”
The goal of International Yoga Day is to raise awareness of yoga’s benefits while encouraging individuals to stay physically active and make healthier choices. For planners and attendees who are often stuck at their desks, the day offers a gentle prompt to reflect on movement, balance and well-being.
To help, Smart Meetings rounded up wellness-minded experiences, from far-flung retreats to easy at-home integrations, that planners can use to re-center themselves or inspire attendees to take a moment of “me time.”
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort
For planners looking to turn International Yoga Day into a weeklong wellness escape, the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is hosting a five-day immersive retreat from June 20 to 24.
Read More: Wellness at Work: How Meeting Planners Can Enhance Productivity, Engagement and Retention
Programming highlights include sessions aligned with five pillars of yogic philosophy: body, energy, mind, intuition and bliss. Guests can expect twice-daily practices such as morning Vinyasa yoga to awaken the senses and grounding evening Yin and Yang Nidra sessions for tension release.
Need to slow down further? The on-site spa offers bespoke healing treatments and therapies, and guests can enjoy access to the nearby UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with afternoon tea, evening aperitifs and personalized services.
Kimpton EPIC Miami
For couples looking to add mindfulness to their nuptials, the Kimpton EPIC Miami offers a Yogi Wedding package.
The ceremony includes access for up to 30 guests in the hotel’s Privai Spa yoga studio, a yoga mat gift for each attendee, a wellness-inspired dinner menu, a reception and a morning meditation to round out the celebration.
Vakkaru Maldives
Vakkaru Maldives is partnering with renowned healer and holistic therapist Daria Gudkova for a month-long wellness residency, running June 1–30.
Gudkova will lead programs that include movement, meditation and energy work. Group offerings include morning yoga, guided breathwork, sound baths and mindfulness sessions.
Read More: Mindful Moments for the Full Mind: A Guide for Meeting Professionals
“Healing is a personal journey, and my goal is to create a nurturing space where guests can reconnect with their true selves,” said Gudkova. “Vakkaru’s energy is incredibly grounding—it has the perfect environment for deep rest, renewal and spiritual clarity. Through sound, movement and intention, I hope to guide guests toward a more harmonious state of being.”
Celebrate From Anywhere
If traveling for a full retreat isn’t in the cards, that’s no problem. Planners, teams, or attendees can embrace yoga’s principles in small, meaningful ways, with no passport required.
Here are a few simple ideas to bring balance into your event or workspace:
- Start or close the day with a yoga session. Whether on the beach, a rooftop or a ballroom with natural light, a short session can help reset energy and intention.
- Add mindful movement breaks. Invite your team or attendees to stand and stretch throughout the day.
- Pre-conference breathwork. Before a big day begins, gather your team in a quiet space for 10 minutes of grounding movement or breath awareness.
- Curate a yoga-inspired playlist. Share a collection of calming, energizing or meditative tracks that attendees can listen to throughout the day.
Whether you’re planning a full-scale wellness event or just need a few minutes of grounding, International Yoga Day is a reminder to return to center for yourself, your team and your attendees.
