International Yoga Day 2026: The International Day of Yoga is celebrated annually on June 21. The subject for 2026 is ‘Yoga for Healthy Ageing’ which will focus on the role of yoga in uniting people, while promoting physical, mental and emotional health at all stages of life.
To that purpose, Akshar Yoga Kendraa, a wellness institution based in Bengaluru founded by Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar, marked International Yoga Day by setting ‘21 Guinness World Records in yogasnas’ on June 21.
The feat is unique because Akshar Yoga Kendraa is the only organisation in the world with 21 Guinness World Records in yogasanas, Akshar Yoga Kendraa’s official statement said. The success of the event created a “historic global benchmark”.
It was a huge event with thousands of participants from India and over 80 nations including yoga practitioners, wellness lovers, students, professionals, and senior citizens. The feat demonstrated the strength of collaborative practice, discipline and yoga instruction.
Ahead of the occasion, several Bollywood luminaries, including actor Rakul Preet Singh, extended their support to the project and wished the organization success. The yoga session was taken by the founder of Akshar Yoga Kendraa, Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar, who had personally educated Rakul Preet in particular.
Rakul Preet supports the cause.
Rakul Preet also shared her views on joining this effort by Akshar Yoga Kendraa. The actor appreciated this initiative in a message on her Instagram profile and wished for the success of the event.
It takes devotion, focus and teamwork to organise a community event of this scale, she remarked in the video. Akshar Yoga Kendra’s attempt to set 21 Guinness World Records is indeed praiseworthy. “Best of luck to whole team and Himalayan Siddha Akshar for great success.”
Rakul Preet doing Yoga
For those who were curious to know about how her training went, she put the doubts to rest by sharing peeks of her yoga practice on her official handle on Yoga Day. The actor was spotted doing various yoga poses and training under Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar.
In one of the photographs from the carousel, she was seen executing the tree pose or Vrikshasana with him. The pose is thought to assist enhance balance , core strength and flexibility . The expert was also observed adjusting her posture so she could have the proper shape needed for the asana.
What went on at the event?
Akshar Yoga Kendraa, under the leadership of Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar, established 21 Guinness World Records in a single day.
The Guinness World Records organisation has been celebrating International Yoga Day for four years running with large-scale yoga events based upon record-breaking feats, the official site of Guinness World Records says. Last year, 2025, Akshar Yoga made a record by creating 12 Guinness World Records in a single day. They increased the number to 21 this year.
Here are some of the records that Akshar Yoga Kendraa has got the past year record, first time breaking the worldwide world record :-
- 864 persons to do the downward facing dog stance (yoga) at the same time
- 1,692 Most individuals executing bridge position (yoga) at the same time
- Most people doing the mermaid posture (yoga) simultaneously with 863
- Most individuals doing the locust position (yoga) at the same time 540
- Most individuals doing the eagle position (yoga) at the same time 552
- Most individuals doing a shoulder stand at the same time: 1,633
- The most persons to do the butterfly/graceful/Bhadrasana pose together is 550
- Most persons doing the double toe hold position (yoga) at the same time (male) – 461 people
- Most individuals executing the pistol squat stance yoga at the same time 514
- Most individuals doing the chair position (yoga) at the same time 1,695
- Most persons holding a Warrior II (yoga) stance at the same time: 1,634
- 529 Most individuals doing a Warrior III (yoga) pose at the same time
Guinness World Records also sent its best wishes ahead of the event, describing the 21-record attempt as its “most ambitious project to date.”
Akshar Yoga Kendraa’s official website stated that new records were set in 2026. The asanas that made the historic milestone were:
- Bhadrasana or Gracious stance: 550 Participants maintained the stance for 1 minute.
- Adho Mukha Shvanasana (Downward Facing Dog Pose): 864 Participants were in the pose for 1 minute.
- Salabhasana or Locust Pose : 539 subjects were made to hold the posture for 1 minute.
- Garudasana (Eagle Pose): 522 people did the pose for 1 minute.
- Ubhaya Padangustasana (Double Toe Hold Pose) 461 people held the pose for 1 minute.
- Eka Pada Padangustasana or Pistol Squat stance: The stance was held for 1 minute by 514 participants.