June 21: International Day of Yoga
Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. The word ‘yoga’ derives from Sanskrit language which means to unite or to join, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness. Yoga is believed to be practised for over 5000 years now and people from all walks of life, caste, creed and age have adopted it to lead a happy lifestyle. Maharishi Patanjali is considered as the ‘father of Yoga’. He had compiled 195 Yoga Sutras which had become the foundation of Yoga philosophy. The commentary on these sutras is called Bhasya and the core essence of Patanjali’s yoga philosophy is the eightfold path of Yoga (Ashtanga Yoga) that focusses upon healthy living through Yoga. It has been attributed that Yoga balances body and soul, mental and physical well-being. It promotes harmony among people and between ourselves and the natural world. Yoga heals our mind, body and soul and hence, it won’t be wrong to say that this healthy practice helps to maintain sanity in our day to day life.
Today it is practiced in various forms around the world and continues to grow in popularity. The idea of celebrating the International Yoga Day was pitched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September 2014. Recognizing its universal appeal, on 11 December 2014, UNGA had unanimously adopted India-led resolution to observe 21st June as ‘International Day of Yoga’ by resolution 69/131. This resolution was adopted under the agenda of ‘Global Health and Foreign Policy’. 21st June was selected because it represents one of the two solstices and it is the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere which has special significance in many parts of the world. The International Day of Yoga aims to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practicing yoga.
Every year 21 June is being observed as International Day of Yoga (अंतर्राष्ट्रीय योग दिवस) across the globe to spread awareness about practicing yoga. The first International Yoga Day (IYD) was celebrated across the world on 21 June 2015. This is the fourth edition of IYD was led by India and was marked by 175 countries across the globe. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led thousands of participants of all ages at Dehradun yoga event.
“Yoga is the journey of the Self, to the Self, Through the Self.”
This year too on June 21, International Yoga Day is being celebrated worldwide. From New Delhi to New York and Paris to Panama, Yoga Day celebrations are taking place as about 5,000 events are being held across 175 countries to mark the day. This year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Dehradun where he is performing yoga along with other famous personalitites and 50,000 participants at Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun.
The main event of 4th International Yoga Day celebrations (IDY-2018) held at Dehradun, capital city of Uttrakhand. Three places- Forest Research Institute (FRI), Gorkha Training Centre (GTC) and Maharana Pratap Stadium have been identified for the event.
Yoga for Peace
The theme for the 2018 celebration, organized by the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, is ‘Yoga for Peace.’ The theme highlights the fact that yoga can contribute in a holistic way to achieving an equilibrium between mind and body and make peace inside as well as outside. The organizers believe that this approach to health and wellbeing can make a direct and useful contribution to humankind’s quest to achieve sustainable development and move towards lifestyles that are in harmony with nature.
On this occasion AYUSH Ministry will give two Yoga Awards known as PM Yoga Award to national and international participants. PM’s Yoga Award was instituted at the 2nd International Day of Yoga celebrations at Chandigarh by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Yoga is beautiful because it is ancient yet modern, it is constant yet evolving. It has the best of our past and presents and a ray of hope for our future. In yoga, we have the perfect solution to the problems we face, either as individuals or in our society. The way to lead a calm, creative and content life is yoga. It can show the way in defeating tensions and mindless anxiety. Instead of dividing, yoga unites. Instead of further animosity, yoga assimilates. Instead of increasing suffering, yoga heals. If we regularly practice pranyam and asanas, we can minimise illness around us. Yoga plays an important role in promoting health.
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