Yoga is globally followed which is why it is not only reflected in the millions of practitioners but also in incredible feats recognized by Guinness World Records. These records show strength, endurance, mass participation, diversity, and creativity in yoga practice globally.
Read along to get detailed compilation of some of the most impressive yoga-related Guinness World Records to date.
International Yoga Day 2025 Theme: "Yoga for One Earth, One Health”
"Yoga for One Earth, One Health" is the theme for International Yoga Day 2025, emphasizing the benefits of yoga for environmental sustainability, community well-being, and personal health.
In addition to highlighting the growing global concerns about pandemics, climate change, and lifestyle diseases, the theme offers yoga as a tool for physical and mental well-being as well as environmental consciousness.
To spread awareness and promote wellbeing throughout the nation, the main event, Yoga Sangam, will bring together 100,000 centers in India at the same time for mass yoga demonstrations.
In addition to this, ten special events such as Yoga Bandhan, Yoga Park, Yoga Samavesh (targeting special and underprivileged groups), Yoga Prabhava, Yoga Connect, Harit Yoga, Yoga Unplugged, Yoga Mahakumbh, and Samyoga will be organized to commemorate the essence of yoga through people's participation and varied activities.
Guinness World Records and Yoga: A Legacy of Achievement
One of the highlights since the first International Yoga Day in 2015 has been the creation of Guinness World Records with a yoga theme, which highlights the scope and diversity of yoga practice around the world.
The first event, which took place in New Delhi, set two records: the most nationalities (84), and the largest yoga session (35,985). Since then, a number of additional records have been set, demonstrating yoga's inventiveness and inclusiveness.
Also Read | International Yoga Day 2025 Theme: What is 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health?' All You need to Know
1. Largest Yoga Lesson
Record: 147,952 participants
Where: Surat, Gujarat, India
When: 21 June 2023
Organized by the Gujarat State Yog Board and Team Surat, this event set the world record for the largest yoga lesson ever held. Over 1.5 lakh people gathered across two stretches of roads spanning 10.5 km, divided into 135 blocks with around 1,000 participants each, practicing yoga simultaneously under LED screens and instructors. This broke the previous record of 100,984 participants set in Kota, Rajasthan in 2018.
2. Most Nationalities in a Yoga Lesson
Record: 144 nationalities
Where: Dubai, UAE
When: 23 January 2024
Emirates Group conducted a yoga class with employees of 144 nationalities, creating a record for the largest number of international participants in a single yoga class. This event showcased yoga's universality and acceptability.
3. Longest Yoga Marathon (Male)
Record: 138 hours 14 minutes
Who: Jagadeesan Settu (India)
Where: Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu, India
When: 10–16 November 2017
Jagadeesan Settu completed non-stop yoga for close to six days, revealing remarkable physical and mental strength. The record is a testament to the ability of yoga as a lifelong exercise of endurance and strength.
4. Longest duration holding standing position while floating in water
Record: 1 hour 42 minutes
Who: Pankaj Jain (India)
When: April 18, 2024
Pankaj Jain created a new record by holding a standing yoga posture while floating in water for more than an hour and a half, demonstrating balance and control of breath.
5. Longest Time Walking in Kneeling Yoga Pose
Record: 1 hour 20 minutes 5 seconds
Who: Pradeep Kumar (India)
When: April 2024
Pradeep Kumar walked non-stop in a kneeling yoga posture, demonstrating strength and joint flexibility.
6. Largest Yoga Lesson by Nationalities (Previous Record)
Record: 114 nationalities
Where: Doha, Qatar
When: 25 March 2022
A yoga class with 114 countries represented was held at the Indian Sports Centre in Qatar, breaking the previous record, to commemorate Qatar's multicultural community before hosting the FIFA World Cup 2022.
7. Largest Yoga Lesson (Previous Record)
Record: 100,984 participants
Where: Kota, Rajasthan, India
When: 2018
This was the previous record prior to Surat's 2023 event. This proved India's dominance in hosting massive yoga events.
8. Largest Yoga Class with Animals (Goat Yoga)
Record: 501 people
Where: Thonotosassa, Florida, USA
When: Undated
The Grady Goat Foundation conducted the largest goat yoga class. This integrated animal therapy with yoga practice.
9. Largest Rhythmic Yoga Class
Record: 284 people
Where: Hefei, Anhui, China
When: Undated
A rhythmic yoga class with synchronized motion. It focused on coordination and group energy.
10. Most People in the Lotus Pose at the Same Time
Thousands of people came together to perform the lotus pose all at once. This represented mental concentration and body balance.
11. Most People Doing the Tree Pose at Once
A group event where thousands of people stood in the tree pose. This represented stability and focus.
12. Most People Doing the Warrior Pose at Once
Thousands of people did the warrior pose en masse, representing strength and courage.
13. Biggest Yoga Relay
Yoga poses were relayed from team to team, aligning teamwork with yogic discipline.
14. Largest Yoga Pyramid
Human pyramid of people holding yoga poses. This demonstrated trust and coordination.
15. Most People Performing Yoga on a Boat
Yoga done on a boat in motion, with the added level of balance on water.
16. Most People Performing Yoga in a Hot Air Balloon
Yoga done in a hot air balloon, combining aerial thrill with consciousness.
17. Most People Doing Yoga in a Shopping Mall
A group yoga session conducted within a shopping mall, taking yoga to the public commercial area.
Global Yoga Participation
Over 34 million people practiced yoga in the US alone in 2023, a consistent rise from prior years that shows yoga's expanding global reach.
From large-scale events with almost 150,000 participants to amazing endurance feats that last for days, these Guinness World Records demonstrate the wide-ranging appeal of yoga. With records featuring a variety of nationalities, special groups, animals, and unusual locations like boats and hot air balloons, they also emphasize the inclusivity of yoga. These records encourage practitioners to push the boundaries of their bodies and minds through the ageless practice of yoga, as International Yoga Day continues to inspire millions.
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