Yoga is a Gift for the World
Introduction to Yoga
Yoga is essentially a spiritual discipline based on an extremely subtle science, which focuses on bringing harmony between mind and body. It is an art and scince of healthy living. The word ‘Yoga‘ is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘Yuj’, meaning ‘to join’ or ‘to yoke’ or ‘to unite’.
According to Maharishi Patanjali, “योगः चित्त-वृत्ति निरोधः” ” Yogah Chitt Vritti Nirodhah.”
Chitta is mind, Vritti is functioning of mind and Nirodha is the control.
Yoga is to control the functioning of the mind.
In chapter, 2 verse 48 of Bhagvad Gita, Lord Krishna defines yoga as “समत्वं योग उच्यते” “Samatvam Yog Uchyate”
Samatva means balanced state, Uchyate is said to be–
Yoga is a balanced state of the body, mind, emotions, thoughts, intellect and behaviour.
We are excited in the situation of pleasure and we become sad when it is a negative situation. Yoga is to maintain equilibrium of the mind in any situation. This equanimity of mind is the ultimate objective of yoga.
Origin
Yoga’s origins can be traced to northern India over 5,000 years ago. The word yoga was first mentioned in ancient sacred texts called the Rig Veda. The Vedas are a set of four ancient sacred texts written in Sanskrit.
International Day of Yoga
It has been celebrated on 21st of June every year since 2015 after it was accepted by United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). It’s significance is to promote global health, harmony and peace from United Nations (UN)
Proposal and Declaration
During a speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 27th September 2014, the current Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, first time proposed the idea of an International Day of Yoga.
After the speech, UN adopted the draft resolution, entitled ‘Day of Yoga’.
On 11 December 2014, India’s Permanent Representative Asoke Mukherji introduced the draft resolution in the United Nations General Assembly. The draft text received tremendous support from 177 Member States who sponsored the text, which was adopted without a vote. This initiative found support from many global leaders. A total of 177 nations co-sponsored the resolution, which is the highest number of co-sponsors ever for any UNGA resolution of such nature.
Significance of 21st June
Have you ever wondered why 21st June was chosen to celebrate as International Day of Yoga? The answer is that when proposing 21st June as the date, the Indian Prime Minister, Modi said that the 21st June is the longest day of the year in the mass northern hemisphere. From the perspective of yoga, the summer solstice marks the transition to Dakshinayana (the six-month period between Summer solstice and Winter solstice, when the sun travels towards the south on the celestial sphere). The second full moon after summer solstice is known as Guru Poornima.
Shiva, the first yogi (Adi Yogi), is said to have begun imparting the knowledge of yoga to the rest of humankind on this day, and became the first guru (Adi Guru).
Practicing Yoga
With this unpredictability surrounding the world in the pandemic, this time should be focused to utilize our energy in divine practice of yoga.
The best time to practice yoga is early in the morning on an empty stomach. Yoga should be practiced outdoors with a cotton mat and an open mind to start with.
• Perform a slight warm-up including leg-circles, knee-circles and waist rotations clockwise and anti-clockwise. This slight warm-up will loosen all the joints with removing excess air bubbles those are trapped in them.
• You can practice pranayam exercises, meditation or different asanas for atleast 30 minutes a day.
30 minutes of daily yoga will take you a long way. You will thank yourself for the priceless happiness, calmness and the health you will obtain from it. One week is enough to experience the benefits. However the key lies in being consistent.
Beautifully and delightfully written. Must read for all Yoga lovers. Thank you Aman!!
Nice
Wonderfully written.. I enjoy reading your blogs.
💪Osm….❤️👏👏
Thank you very much bhaiya ji🙏
Thank you 😊💓
Thanks Oshin ☺
Thank you brother ❤🙏
Well done research on Yoga summarising the benefits