The International Day of Yoga has been celebrated annually on June 21 since 2015, following its inception in the United Nations General Assembly in 2014.
This year’s Yoga Day celebrations theme calls out ‘Yoga for Humanity.’ The President of the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly, Abdulla Shahid, on the occasion of International Yoga Day, said that the celebration of 8th International Yoga Day under the theme ‘Yoga for Humanity’ could not have come at a more opportune time as the COVID-19 pandemic has upended lives and livelihoods, triggering a deluge of anxiety and depression
Wrap up of the Yoga Day highlights across the country:
Describing yoga day as a ‘global festival’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, ‘ Yogic energy is guiding global health.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed Yoga with thousands of participants at a mass demonstration in the backdrop of the iconic Mysuru Palace today and said that the physical fitness regime was forming a basis for cooperation among countries and that it can become a problem-solver.
The PM led the Yoga Day celebrations on the premises of the ‘Amba Vilas Palace’ and drove back to the palace for breakfast on the invitation from the royal family after inaugurating the ‘Innovative Digital Yoga Exhibition’ at Dasara Exhibition Grounds. After the celebrations, the PM had breakfast with the erstwhile royal family of Mysuru at the palace, where the famous ‘Mysore Pak and ‘Mysore Masala Dosa” were part of the menu. Mysuru royal scion Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar and “Rajmata” Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, earlier in the day, had shared the stage with Mr Modi at the Yoga Day event, reported PTI.
Commemorating June 21, International Yoga Day, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu said, “Yoga has no barrier of age, caste, geography or religion, and everyone should make the ancient physical fitness regime a part of their daily routine to reap its rich benefits.”
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan celebrated International Yoga Day with some school children and dignitaries. Talking about the benefits of Yoga, he said that people’s priority in life should be to stay healthy. The chief minister rolled out a mat and performed Yoga with students and some special guests at his official residence in Bhopal.
“On PM Modi’s call, the entire world adopted Yoga,” said Union Minister Anurag Thakur. He added it was due to the efforts of Prime Minister Modi that the UN General Assembly recognized the importance of Yoga. “On his call, all the world’s countries adopted Yoga and resolved to celebrate the International Yoga Day every year on June 21. This is a big achievement for India,” said the minister for information and broadcasting during a Yoga practice session at Katoch Palace in Sujanpur.
What is Yoga?
Yoga is often interpreted as union (the union of breath, body and mind). It has been repeatedly proven that there is a strong connection between mind and body and Yoga is a practice that syncs in mind and body energies – to ‘yoke’ or ‘bind’.
Mr Vikram Thaploo, CEO, Apollo Telehealth (largest and oldest multi-speciality telemedicine network in the world. A unit of Apollo Hospitals Group,) said, The Bhagawad Gita rightly defines Yoga as “Samatvam yoga uchyate”, which means evenness in all situations. This ancient practice which originated thousands of years ago in India embodies the unity of the body and mind; thought and action; fulfilment and restraint; harmony between nature and man; a holistic approach to overall wellbeing and health. Daily Yoga can positively affect behaviour, mood and general mental health in different ways. It can affect mood by elevating levels of a brain chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is associated with better mood and decreased anxiety. It is beneficial for working professionals and students because they must constantly deal with stress and anxiety. The practice leads to relaxation, increased concentration and peace of mind. Yoga is the gateway to better spiritual and emotional health.”
“Yoga is not about becoming flexible. It’s about connecting with yourself and learning to breathe again, and building your awareness muscle. It’s about nourishing your soul,” explained Superna Yamuna Chopra, well-being and life coach. It is not a one-day celebration; it’s for everyday practice. Yoga is a way of life. Talking about the significance of Yoga among youngsters, Komal Sodhi, a Yoga expert and health coach, said, “practising Yoga helps teens develop the mind-body connection that not only improves body image but also promotes better posture and even alleviates stress. “The rhythmic breathing and stretching involved in yoga offer teens a natural way to find relief from daily stressors. One of the basic tenets of Yoga is proper breathing. Deep breathing is a common stress-relieving technique, helpful in quieting the mind, promoting good sleep and calming the nerves shares Superna talks about the benefits of Yoga for children and adults on the International Yoga Day.
