Yoga is essentially a spiritual discipline which focuses on bringing harmony between mind and body.The word "Yoga" is derived from the Sanskrit root yuj meaning "to join", "to yoke" or "to unite". It also refers to an inner science, and one who experience its existence is termed as yogi or yoginis who has attained a state of freedom, referred to as Mukti, nirvāna, kaivalya or moksha.The aim of Yoga practice (sadhana) is to overcome all kinds of sufferings that lead to a sense of freedom in every walk of life with holistic health, happiness and harmony.
Yoga is widely considered as an "immortal cultural outcome" of the Indus Saraswati Valley Civilisation – dating back to 2700 BC. The sages,carried these powerful teachings of Yoga to the different corners of the world including Asia, the Middle East, northern Africa and southern America. After experiencing the powerful energy of Yoga, people from different corners of the world started peregrinating to India; these wanderers were curious and seek knowledge about the starting point of yoga, its founder and the ever-evolving yogic journey.The presence of Yoga is also available in folk traditions:Vedic and Upanishadic heritage, Buddhist and Jain traditions, Darshanas, epics of Mahabharata including Bhagawadgita and Ramayana, theistic traditions of Shaivas, Vaishnavas and Tantric traditions.Four broad classifications of Yoga: Karma Yoga where we utilise the body; Jnāna Yoga where we utilise the mind; Bhakti Yoga where we utilise the emotion and Kriya Yoga where we utilise the energy.
‘Eight Limbs Of Yoga’:
- Yama : Mortality
- Niyama : Discipline
- Asana : Physical exercise
- Pranayama : Breath control
- Pratyahara : Detachment
- Dharana : Concentration
- Dhyana: Meditation
- Samadhi: Self-realization
'Types Of Yoga':
- Ashtanga Yoga : builds core strength and increases flexibility
- Vinyasa Yoga : builds lean muscles and calms the mind
- Kundalini Yoga : enhances awareness and helps connect with your inner self
- Iyengar Yoga : improves balance and coordination in body
- Power Yoga : improves heart health and lowers blood pressure
- Bikram Yoga : releases toxins from the body and improves blood circulation
- Jivamukti Yoga: flushes out toxins from body
- Restorative Yoga: treat insomnia and anxiety
The idea of International Day of Yoga was first proposed by Prime Minister Modi during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 27 September 2014.
June 21, 2015 has been celebrated as the first International Day of Yoga.The reason behind why 21 June is choosen as International Day of Yoga is because it is the longest day in the Northern hemisphere, when Lord Shiva is believed to have imparted the knowledge of yoga to the world. According to Hindu mythology, Shiva is considered the Supreme Lord of Yoga.
Quoted by the Prime Minister: We should be proud of our culture. On the contrary, if we doubt our tradition and culture then the world will not put its faith in us.India should be honored to be the "guardians of the great practice".
It is a matter of concern that the World Health Organization recently stated that 61% of all deaths in India every year are because of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which include cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases, among others.According to WHO this ancient practice of yoga needs to be further popularised across all regions and all sections.Yoga is a holistic approach to well-being. Viewed from purely the physical aspect, yoga has proved to be a very powerful set of graded exercises which can be practiced by all – from children to youth and even the elderly. Studies have shown that many psychosomatic disorders can be healed through yoga. It advocates purity of mind, speech and body, contentment, acceptance of others, perseverance, self-study, and self-reflection of the Supreme Being.
Yoga centers in India is located at Bihar School of Yoga, Munger, Pramarth Niketan, Rishikesh, Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram ,Chennai and many more places.
It is unfortunate that some people, due to lack of proper understanding, are giving it a religious hue. Yoga has nothing to do with religion and should not be viewed in a narrow, bigoted manner.In present times, when lifestyle diseases are posing a big threat to the health of people, especially the youth,yoga is an important vehicle to transform the mind and body into a healthy and lively fitness machine.
The time has come to introduce yoga as part of school curriculum so that India becomes a nation of healthy and happy people in the coming years. Yoga needs to become what it always has been – a complete philosophy of life, encompassing all facets, including the psychological, physical and spiritual.
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