Honoring Indigenous Wellness, Movement, Culture, and Community

International Indigenous People's Yoga Day celebrates the growing movement of Indigenous-led wellness initiatives that integrate movement, mindfulness, cultural teachings, community healing, and relationships with the natural world.

Across Turtle Island, Indigenous peoples have long practiced forms of movement, awareness, ceremony, and wellness that support physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. Today, Indigenous yoga and mindfulness leaders are creating culturally grounded approaches to wellness that honor both Indigenous traditions and contemporary health practices

One of the earliest Indigenous-led yoga movements in North America emerged through the work of Hozhó Total Wellness, founded by Diné wellness leader Haley Laughter.

Beginning in the mid-2010s, Hozhó organized Indigenous-centered yoga gatherings and helped create spaces where Native people could explore movement and wellness in ways that honored Indigenous identity, culture, and community. International Yoga Day gatherings in Monument Valley brought together participants from numerous tribal nations and helped establish a visible Indigenous presence within the broader wellness movement.

These efforts helped inspire a growing network of Indigenous yoga teachers, wellness practitioners, and community organizations working throughout North America today

Looking Ahead

We are actively exploring opportunities to expand International Indigenous People's Yoga Day into a larger annual gathering and collaborative network.

Future possibilities include:

• Regional gatherings across Turtle Island

• Youth leadership programs

• Indigenous wellness teacher training

• Community mini-grants

• Research partnerships

• Digital wellness resources

• Cultural arts programming

• International Indigenous participation

Our Vision

We envision an annual gathering that brings together Indigenous teachers, elders, youth, wellness practitioners, researchers, artists, and community members from across Turtle Island to celebrate Indigenous approaches to wellness.

Our long-term goal is to establish International Indigenous People's Yoga Day as a recognized annual event that:

• Celebrates Indigenous wellness traditions

• Supports healing and resilience

• Promotes physical and mental health

• Elevates Indigenous wellness leaders

• Strengthens community connections

• Inspires future generations

• Creates opportunities for cultural revitalization

• Expands access to wellness resources in Indigenous communities