International Yoga Day

It is always the universal truth that ‘Health is Wealth’. According to Bhagavat Geeta, “An individual is confessed to have accomplished yoga, the union with the Self, when the perfectly disciplined mind gets freedom from all desires and longings, and becomes consumed in the Self alone.” Yoga is a part of one of the oldest medical sciences. Yoga helps to make exemplary health improvements in human life. From the Vedic era, Yoga has proved to have many medical benefits for the human body. In Hinduism, Lord Shiva is also referred to as Adi Yogi. The science behind yoga makes life more healthful for an individual. People from all over the world celebrate International yoga day to enhance the power of yoga.

Power of Yoga

People are developing day by day. Science and Technologies are occupying our lives and giving us greater facilities. With this growing future, the human body needs more care. Yoga can contribute to this by helping people to live a good and healthy life. 

• Yoga gives physical and mental health benefits. 
• Yoga boosts the flexibility, strength, and balance of the human body.
• Yoga gives a good posture to the human body.
• Yoga also helps to get relief from insomnia.
• Yoga is very beneficial for heart disease.
• Yoga helps with anxiety and gives better energy.
•  Yoga helps to reduce pain and can be a cure for arthritis.

International Yoga Day:

On 27th September 2014, the current Prime Minister of India, Mr Narendra Modi, proposed the idea of the International Yoga Day. During his conference at the UN General assembly, Mr Narendra Modi also stated the importance of Yoga.

He furthermore added that yoga is an ancient practice of Indian culture. It creates a bond between nature and the human body. He also signified the importance of yoga in one’s life. 

Our prime minister also suggested the date of 21st June because it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. This day also shares a special significance in many places around the world. 

In 2015, the Reserve bank of India issued commemorative coins to spread the significance of International yoga day. In 2017, the UN General Assembly officially declared and also published over ten stamps of Yoga Asanas on a proposal sheet to mark the International Yoga day.

Significance of this special day:

In the ancient history of Hinduism, Yoga originated from Shiva ( the mythical figure of Hinduism). Shiva is referred to as Adiyogi in the mythology of Hinduism. His yogic posture during meditation illustrates the primary source of Yoga. 

In yogic culture, the Summer solstice symbolises the story of the beginning of yoga. According to Hindu mythology, yogic culture and practices started from the Saptarishis. 

Their determination melted Shiva’s heart. During this summer solstice, Lord Shiva became the first guru and passed the knowledge to the Saptarishis. 

Declaration 

India’s representative Ashok Mukherji enrolled the draft explanation of the importance of yoga in the UN General Assembly on 11 December 2014. The idea received more than 177 states members’ support and even reached globally for more help. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his idea to choose the 21 June as the day to celebrate the International yoga day. Sadhguru, the founder of the Isha Foundation, also appreciated this initiative. Ravi Shankar, the founder of Art of living, also applauds this idea of celebrating International yoga day.

Themes of international Yoga day celebration

Each year, International yoga is celebrated with a specific theme. Each theme signifies the current situation of the year and how to overcome the problem with the help of yoga. Each year international yoga day is celebrated on the 21st of June. 

• 2015 – the theme of the international yoga day was ‘Yoga for Harmony and Peace’.
• 2016 – the theme of the international yoga day was ‘Yoga for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals’. 

• 2017 – the theme of the international yoga day was ‘Yoga for Health’. 

• 2018 – the theme of the international yoga day was ‘Yoga for Peace’.
• 2019 – the theme of the international yoga day was ‘Yoga for Heart’. 
• 2020 – the theme of the international yoga day was ‘Yoga at home and Yoga with Family’. 
• 2021 – the theme of the international yoga day was ‘Yoga for Wellness’. 
• 2022 – the theme of the international yoga day will be focused on the benefits of yoga, but it has not been declared yet.  

Some beneficial asanas like Tadasana, Vrikshasana, Sukhasanas, Balasana, Bhujangasana and many others help people in many physical improvements.

Conclusion :

Yoga is a more than five thousand (5,000) year old physical, intellectual and spiritual practice. Yoga has been proven to help its practitioners live a healthy life. It purifies the body from the inside and brings more calmness to our life. Today, many people lead a healthy lifestyle by practising Yoga. Yoga teaches us to control the human mind from negativity and creates a harmonised connection between humans and nature. These innovative steps of our Prime Minister inspire many people to lead a healthy life with the help of Yoga. This year, people from all around the world will celebrate the 8th International Yoga Day.