Why International Yoga Day is Important
International Yoga Day is a special day that people celebrate in every part of the world with great enthusiasm on June 21 every year. On this day, people recognize the many benefits of practising yoga on an everyday basis. The United Nation established this day in order to promote global awareness as well as the importance of yoga in the daily lives of the people across the world as well as encourage them to incorporate yoga as their daily practice for better health and well-being. This day highlights the importance as well as points out the multiple health and mental benefits of practising yoga. This is the day when a huge number of people from different cultures as well as different backgrounds come together for practising yoga and encouraging others to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
How International Yoga Day Started
International Yoga Day started on the suggestion of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Prime Minister of India proposed the concept of such a Yoga Day before the United Nations in 2014. He gave the suggestion that by doing such activity, the UN could encourage people across the world to adopt yoga for their better health as well as preventing diseases. The United Nations approved the concept of International Yoga Day and declared June 21 as International Yoga Day. The importance of June 21 is that this date is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere that symbolises light, energy as well as renewal. This is why 21 June was selected to celebrate the International Yoga Day.
What Is Yoga and Its Benefits
Yoga is the ancient Indian training for maintaining health. Yoga has been in use in India for thousands of years. An ancient Indian sage named Maharishi Patanjali is the father of yoga. He introduced the concept of Yoga in his famous text – Yoga Sutras. This text described the philosophy as well as the practice of yoga. Maharishi Patanjali described physical poses (asanas), breath control (pranayama) techniques, meditation (dhyana) as well as ethical principles of yoga. These elements of yoga promote physical, mental as well as spiritual well-being. Bellow are the benefits that a person gets from his or her daily yoga practice:
Physical Benefits of Yoga
Flexibility Increment: A proper and regular yoga practice gives optimum flexibility to the yoga practitioner as well as helps maintain that flexibility throughout his or her life.
Strong Muscles: If an aspirant performs yoga poses everyday, he or she builds muscle strength which keeps the body fit.
Improved Body Balance and Coordination: When performing daily Yoga, it helps improve the body balance and coordination of the practitioner by activating different muscle groups in different poses as well as enhancing body awareness.
Higher Energy Levels: Practising yoga every day revitalises the practitioner’s both body and mind which increases the energy in the body and helps the yoga aspirant feel more refreshed.
Benefits of Yoga For Mind
Lowering Stress: Daily yoga practice cools down the mind of the practitioners which reduces stress. The physical movements of yoga poses and controlled breathing are a great help for the brain.
Enhanced Focusing Capability: Daily yoga improves the concentration power and mental clarity of the mind.
Apart from that yoga keeps the practitioners happier as well as more relaxed, which gives a better sleep.
Celebrating International Yoga Day
This Yoga Day is an important celebration for the world because the main purpose of celebrating this day is to spread awareness about maintaining optimum health and how the benefits of yoga help promote as well as maintain overall health and well-being. People all across the world enjoy the celebration of this yoga day with full excitement and energy. On this day they perform several yoga activities as well as organise yoga events on a big level.
This year’s theme of International Yoga Day has been dedicated to women. The theme this time will be “Yoga for Women’s Empowerment.” The theme has the aim to encourage women to adopt yoga in their daily life because yoga can make a great impact on the overall well being of women across the globe. Yoga is not just limited to affecting their physical health but it can also impact their mental, spiritual, emotional as well as social well-being. This time, people across the globe will come celebrate the international yoga day together while especially focusing on women’s Empowerment. People around the world will participate in different yoga related activities such as yoga workshops, classes, seminars on yoga and how to empower women with the help of yoga etc. Such yoga events will not only educate women but also inspire them to make yoga a compulsory part of their everyday lives. The yoga day can be celebrated anywhere such as parks, community centres, yoga studios as well as online platforms, in order to offer accessibility to everyone
Ways to Join the Celebration and Incorporate Yoga As A Part of Life
International Yoga Day is a perfect opportunity for all of us to join the global community. Whether a person is completely new to yoga or he or she is an experienced yoga practitioner, there are many events and classes held across the globe that anybody can easily join and enjoy the great experience of the event. There are many benefits of joining such global yoga events such as:
Take The People Closer
International Yoga Day is such an event that encourages people not only to try yoga but also brings them closer, giving them the opportunity to connect with each other. People generally gather in parks, schools, or other public places to take part in yoga events and activities which creates a sense of friendship as well as global community.
Promotes The Awareness
International Yoga Day spreads awareness about the benefits of practising daily yoga in a group. It makes the people aware how yoga improves their overall health and well-being as well as it encourages them to live a healthy life.
Anybody can join the celebration of International Yoga Day in different ways like:
Joining a Yoga Class: There are several yoga studios as well as community centres which offer free classes on the international yoga day. A yoga aspirant just needs to find such a class near him or her and join it to enjoy and learn another level of yoga challenges as well as meet new people.
Joining a Yoga Event: Aspirants can also join yoga events in their area. Several cities host such large events and gatherings where aspirants can join and practice yoga in a group.
Practising at Home: If a person is unable to find such a class or a general event nearby, he or she can practise yoga at home. There are many online videos and apps available using which anyone can practise yoga at home easily. It is always better to incorporate yoga into daily life and reap the benefits of daily yoga at home. While incorporating yoga into everyday activities, it is better to adopt the morning yoga routine. Morning yoga wakes up the body as it stimulates blood flow and increases oxygen levels. Morning yoga boosts the Metabolism, strengthens Muscles as well as enhances Flexibility. Hence, the morning yoga routine is the best routine for performing yoga.
Sharing on Social Media: People can have the option to share their practice on social media. It is good to share his or her yoga experience on social media. They can post pictures and videos there to inspire others.
Conclusion
International Yoga Day is the perfect occasion to discover the benefits of yoga as well as make connections with others. Whether a person is a complete beginner or an experienced practitioner, there are many ways to join the celebration of International Yoga Day. Practising yoga together not only improves the practitioner’s health and well-being but also connects him or her with the global community of like minded people. So, join the celebration of International Yoga Day on June 21 and enjoy the number of activities it has to offer. Experience these and many more events with Rishikesh Ashtanga Yoga Ashram.