By Tanisha Gupta
International Day of Yoga is called as World Yoga Day. It was firstly celebrated on 21st June, 2015. The initiative was taken by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Damodar Modi by giving an impactful speech related to the benefits of yoga on 27September ,2014 in the General assembly of United Nation .This is the reason ,21st June was declared as “International Yoga Day” by United Nation. This decision was approved by 193 members of UN on 14 December, 2014
In the UN general assembly, Narendra Modi said “Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature ; a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help us deal with climatic change. Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day”.
In 1893, Swami Vivekananda addressed the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, America in which he introduced yoga to the Western world. After that, many eastern gurus and yogis spread yoga throughout the world and on a large scale, people started accepting it. Even yoga began to be studied in the form of a subject, and then it came out that there are long-term benefits of yoga.
In the last fifty years, this is not only an international phenomenon, but thousands of people from all over the world have made it a part of their daily routine.
Yoga has been introduced in India since pre-Vedic times. This has remained an essential part of life of Indians from years. Yoga is an important part of Indian culture and civilization in which there are both properties of both physical elements of humanity and spiritual uplift. This is the ideal combination of knowledge, karma and devotion. Maharishi Patanjali’s contribution to India is important; he has codified and organized yoga posture or practice in yoga sutras.
21June is chosen due to this is the day to pay homage to Sadgurus
Objectives of yoga:
Make people aware of the benefits of yoga and connect them with nature.
– To reduce the rate of health-challenging diseases in the world.
– Spreading growth, development and peace throughout the world.
– Making people aware of physical and mental illnesses and providing solutions through yoga.- It also aims to develop a habit of meditation for peace of mind, self -awareness which is necessary to survive in a stress-free environment
Benefits of yoga: Yoga makes both body and mind healthy.
– If regular yoga practice is done, then all health-related problems can be overcome.
– Yoga not only provides mental peace but also generates a peaceful environment.
– It is also mandatory to do yoga as our lifestyle is changing day by day. It can also help us to deal with climate change.
– Yoga gives strength to the muscles and the whole part of the body.
– The Respiration process becomes healthy; energy and power are also developed in the body via yoga.
– Maintains balanced metabolism in the human being.
– Helps in reducing weight and also keep the cardio system healthy.
No doubt yoga help in reducing the health challenging diseases all over the world. It connect people with each other, helps in practising meditation and in getting relief from stress. It provides a link between protection of health and sustainable health development. Therefore, we should practice Yoga regularly and make it a part of our life.
International Day of Yoga 2020: Theme
The International Day of Yoga 2020 theme is “Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family”.
The International Day of Yoga 2019 theme was “Climate Change” and it will be celebrated at United Nation on 20 June, 2019 with “Yoga with Gurus” followed by a panel discussion on 21 June.
This year the International Day of Yoga will focus on yoga at home with family members. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called upon all to participate in an event ‘My Life My Yoga’ in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’. He also encouraged people to stay active and fit during the lockdown period due to COVID-19 pandemic.
