International Yoga day is celebrated on June 21st every year, this helps to spread awareness and promote all the benefits of practicing yoga and how it helps with mental as well as physical well-being. Yoga helps improve strength, balance and flexibility .It is a mind –body practice which originated in India many years ago. Yoga day is not only to practice yoga but also it shows the importance of psychological and physical well-being.
In today’s world there are so many issues that occur only because of too much stress, yoga can help with aspects that often get affected by stress that is our mind, body and spirit. Yoga promotes relaxation and helps calming the nerves which is very important for people in today’s time.
International yoga day was started by Prime Minister Narendra Modi , he put forward the concept in 2014 of having a dedicated day for Yoga. On this day millions of people around the world participate in yoga events by joining group workouts and online classes. During International Yoga day programs related to yoga are organized all around the country.
This year people from more than 180 countries will be a part of PM Narendra Modi led Yoga day celebration at the UN Headquarters in New York .The theme of this year’s international yoga day is “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” which means “the world is one family” it emphasizes on the fact that we all are a family and that we have one earth, one family and one future. This event and this theme shows a sense of unity just like what yoga stands for which is unity of mind, body and spirit.
In Hindu philosophy yoga aims to unite our self with the spirit of the universe .Yoga promotes spiritual discipline and is available for everyone .Yoga involves breathing control and Asana ,Asana is the pose , posture and way of sitting in Yoga. Hindus believe in the idea that through yoga they can connect with God or with the God within humans .Yoga is also connected with religion as it stems historically from Hinduism ,Buddhism , as well as Jainism. The sacred mantra Om is chanted by both Hindus and Buddhists during meditation and Om is the primordial sound of creation and is the original vibration of the universe according to Hindu scriptures.
Some Yoga Asanas and Their Benefits –
Sukhasana – also known as an easy pose, it is a yoga asana performed in a seated position with legs crossed and your hands on your knees, keeping the palm facing up. In this pose you have to keep your spin as straight as possible. This is a great pose for beginners and helps boost flexibility and relieves stress. Chakravakasana –also known as cat-cow pose, it is performed by getting on mat on all fours with your hands directly below your shoulders and knees directly below your hips. Here weight is equally distributed between hands .When you inhale, you arch your back up as you lower your chin towards your chest .As you exhale, you lower your back down into a scoop shape, lift and tilt your head back. Cat-cow pose improves posture and balance, it is ideal for back pain and issues. Vrksasana –also known as tree pose is a balancing asana, it is done by standing straight, bringing hands together in a prayer position and lift it above the head. Bend your left knee and press it on your inner thigh from the left side. Balasana- balasana or child pose is a kneeling asana, it is a resting pose that provides many benefits to mind and body .It is done by sitting back on the heels with the knees wide apart, it stretches the hips, thighs and ankles. Child pose is the most healing yoga pose, it can be practiced at any time during a yoga session to take a break and regain energy. Adho mukha svanasana –also called the downward-facing dog pose is often practiced as a part of a sequence of poses .In this your body forms an inverted V-shape .Start by placing both hands on the mat in front of your shoulders and place you knees on the mat directly under your hips. When you exhale lift your knees of the ground and lift your hips towards the ceiling, stretch your heels towards the ground .You need to keep your head down between your upper arms. This pose strengthens muscles, increases blood flow ,helps with lower back pain and issues, and relieves stress and anxiety. Vajrasana – also known as thunderbolt or diamond pose is a kneeling asana. In this pose you kneel and then sit back on your legs to take the weight off your knees. It improves your bowel movements and relieving constipation, it also helps get rid of acidity and gas.PM Modi to lead International Yoga Day programme at UN Headquarters