International Day of Yoga 2021

– Ayooshi Mitra, Amity University, Kolkata

Every year on June 21, the world commemorates International Yoga Day. It was recognized for the first time in 2015. The United Nations General Assembly proposed that June 21 be designated as the International Day of Yoga because it signifies the Summer Solstice and the transition to Dakshinayana (movement of the Sun towards the Northern hemisphere). Due to the ongoing pandemic, the theme for IDY 2021 has been declared to be “Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family”.

The beauty of Yoga is that it cannot be defined in the same way by all yoga practitioners. There will undoubtedly be a wide range of responses. It’s a way for some people to feel good about their bodies while others see it as a spiritual practice, and many see it as a way of life. Whatever approach one takes, yoga can help reshape and unravel one’s habitual or unconscious patterns.

Origin of Yoga:

Yoga is thought to have originated in pre-Vedic Indian traditions, possibly around 3000 BCE in the Indus Valley civilization. Yoga is mentioned in the Rigveda and the Upanishads, but it most likely developed as a detailed process in ancient India’s ascetic and Ramaa movements around the 5th and 6th centuries BCE. Over time, yoga has evolved and progressed. It captured the attention of the West, which had developed an interest in Eastern culture and philosophy, in the nineteenth century. Shortly after, Swami Vivekananda, the first Hindu teacher to actively promote and explain yoga to a western audience, embarked on a tour of Europe and the United States. Hatha Yoga was actively promoted in India during the 1920s and 1930s due to the support of T. Krishnamacharya, Swami Sivananda, and other Hatha Yoga practitioners.

Purpose of practicing Yoga:

Yoga poses work by stretching the muscles. They can help in better movement and, according to studies, can improve flexibility. Some yoga styles, such as ashtanga and power yoga, aid in the development of upper-body strength and muscle tone. Yoga usually entails paying attention to one’s breath, which helps in relaxation and stress reduction. Human characteristics such as intelligence, memory, and concentration are highly valued and sought after. Various yogic techniques stimulate the brain and nervous system to improve memory and concentration, which can lead to increased intelligence. These practices were originally designed to help people enter and maintain a state of meditation, but they also improve mental focus, awareness, and memory.

Importance of International Day of Yoga:

As of now, more than 170 countries around the world have expressed their support for this day. Since 2015, each year’s International Yoga Day has had a different theme each year, such as Yoga for Harmony and Peace, Yoga for the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, Yoga for Health, Yoga for Peace, and Yoga for the Heart were the previous themes.

Yoga is practiced all over the world, as evidenced by the fact that yoga continues to inspire and conquer the world! We live in a culture that constantly stimulates our minds and nervous systems. It provides a space to slow down our minds and regain our sense of balance. Yoga classes are becoming more popular in our society, and there is a greater demand than ever before. Yoga is an ancient practice that has withstood the test of time; however, one does not need to be a yogi ninja to enjoy the beauty and benefits of the tradition. Thus, this International Day of Yoga let us all pledge to practice yoga at home, with our family to keep healthy and fit.

Also read: Winemaking – Discovery or Innovation

References:

1. International Day of Yoga – United Nations –https://www.un.org/en/observances/yoga-day
2. https://yogacertificationboard.nic.in/IDY2021/

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