Have you yet joined in the large-scale celebrations of International Yoga Day? If not, we're here to tell you why the day is significant and why you must do your part!
Yoga, an invaluable gift passed on by our ancestors, is the ancient tradition and physical activity bringing about stress-relief, relaxation and peace, mental well-being and physical health enhancement through posture-based exercises. Thus, heralding a holistic health revolution across the globe, June 21 celebrates Yoga (meaning "to unite/join" in Sanskrit), the practise that assists one to reach the unison of body and brain, mind and soul, action and thought, and more such binaries.
Observed annually on June 21, the Summer Solstice or the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere (due to Earth's highest axial tilt), World Yoga Day encourages all to make healthy lifestyle choices like imbibing the practise of Yoga.
While the objective of the day is to dispense awareness around Yoga and promote its array of heath benefits, this is an opportunity for participants to realise the transformative strength of the spiritual practise and meditative therapy that finds its roots in the Indian soil.
"By regularly practising Yoga, a person can imbibe qualities like courage which protects like a father, forgiveness as possessed by a mother and mental peace which becomes a permanent friend. Through regular practise of Yoga, truth becomes our child, mercy our sister, self-control our brother, the earth becomes our bed and knowledge satiates our hunger."wrote the Sanskrit poet, Bhartrhari, centuries ago.
Self-discovery, mindfullness, balance, harmony, flexibility, recuperation — these are just a few terms that define Yoga and its copious benefits. A soulful practise, June 21 recognises Yoga's puissance and transformative power.
Today, World Yoga Day will revolve around the central theme 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', implying 'One Earth. One Future. One Family'. And, like each year, the day will see tremendous groups joining in, assembling together to practise various Yoga poses and asanas, breathing exercises, meditation, and so on at innumerable significant places around the country.
Recognising the universal appeal of the spiritual practise, the United Nations, in December 2014 by resolution 69/131, proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga. And ever since then, the day has officially been celebrated with vigour, joy and radiance all around the world.
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