“President, PM join thousands in celebrating International Yoga Day” read one of the news headlines in a leading
daily. June 21, 2016 marked the celebration of Yoga on a worldwide scale. Yoga is
a 5,000-year-old physical, mental and spiritual practice having its origin in
India, which aims at transforming both body and mind. On December 11 in 2014, the United Nations General Assembly, following
the call for the adoption of June 21st as International Day of Yoga by Hon’ble
Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, declared June 21st as the ‘International Day of Yoga’. During his
address to the UN General Assembly on September 27, 2014, he stated: "Yoga is an invaluable gift of India's ancient
tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint
and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health
and well-being. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness
with yourself, the world and the nature." While suggesting June 21, which is the
Summer Solstice, as the International Day of Yoga, Mr. Modi said, "The date is the longest day of the
year in the Northern Hemisphere and has special significance in many parts of
the world."
Stress has become a chronic aspect of life
for many of us; and it takes its toll. With our brains over-stimulated and our
bodies more sedentary than ever, many of us suffer from the fatigue and
imbalance that comes from chronic stress without sufficient recovery. Practicing
Yoga is an excellent way to soothe nerves that are in a constant state of
overdrive. Yoga can help give us the ability to live healthy amidst our hectic
schedules and bustling environments.
It is no wonder yoga has soared to such
heights of popularity. Through yoga practice we begin to find a sense of
wholeness. We become more aware. We create balance in our bodies, in our minds,
in our lives. As we evolve individually and come closer to an open, authentic
state of being, we also evolve as a species, creating a better world for us
all.
“Yoga is the journey
of the self, through the self, to the self.” – The Bhagwat Gita
- Sumit Chakravarty, Faculty, INLEAD
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