21st June is celebrated as International Yoga Day around the globe since 2015, following its inception in the United Nations General Assembly in 2014. The idea to celebrate 21 June as International Yoga Day was first and foremost introduced by Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi at the course of his oration at the United Nations General Assembly on September 27, 2014. The underlying rationale for choosing this day was being the longest day in the Northern hemisphere, the summer solstice. The drive to instigate this day was to bring awareness about the benefits of Yoga around the globe.
Yoga is a spiritual discipline that concentrates on subtle science that focuses on achieving harmony between an individual’s mind and body. The word Yoga first appeared in the Rig Veda and is derived from the Sanskrit root “Yuj” which means to join or unite. According to the Yogic scriptures, the practice of Yoga leads an individual to the union of consciousness with that of universal consciousness. It eventually leads to a great harmony between the human mind and body, man & nature.
Yoga is above and beyond Asanas. Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi are the eight branches of yoga.
Do you have any clue, who has his name scribbled in the Guinness World Record as the oldest Yoga Teacher?
Give it a whirl!
Indeed, he is Ida Herbert, who remained a spry yoga teacher at the age of 96 years. The last news about the Canadian woman was in 2016 when she turned 100 years old!
Furthermore, the day has made one more remarkable achievement that has been cataloged in the Guinness Book of World Records', where entire India came together to celebrate the International Yoga Day on June 21, 2015. This huge huddle was the largest Yoga demonstration ever with a historic attendance of 45000 people.
Yoga helps in stress reduction by lowering the level of stress hormones, relaxation, greater equanimity, better concentration, improved mood, increased strength and flexibility, better balance and coordination, improved reaction times, better lung function, heightened cardiovascular conditioning, and weight loss. Scientific studies have found yoga as a useful adjunct to the care of asthma, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, multiple sclerosis, and heart disease. In India and the West, yoga is used therapeutically for many diseases based largely on empirical evidence.
This morning, on 21st June 2020, we are commemorating the 6th International Yoga Day. Considering the current scenario of COVID-19, one needs to have a strong immunity to fight against Coronavirus. There is no medication for it yet other than precautions suggested by WHO and IMA and a strong immune system. Ergo, owing to the need for social distancing due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year, the theme of International Yoga Day is “Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family”. To avoid public gatherings, everyone is suggested to perform Yoga in their homes. Everyone should have a sense of self-care to avoid mental stress the populace is confronting due to the pandemic. Practicing yoga can be habituated to deal with this challenge. Wishing you a healthy and beautiful life on this International Yoga Day! For the latest updates follow me on https://twitter.com/Shi_Way_
