Healthy Body and Healthy Mind

The World saw on June 21 panoramic views of people doing Yoga in every corner of the world

This year marked the 10th International Day of Yoga with the theme “Yoga for Self and Society.” Yoga, a transformative practice, represents the harmony of mind and body, the balance between thought and action, and the unity of restraint and fulfillment. It integrates the body, mind, spirit, and soul, offering a holistic approach to health and well-being that brings peace to our hectic lives. Its power to transform is what we celebrate on this special day.

Recognizing its universal appeal, on 11 December 2014, the United Nations proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of Yoga by resolution 69/131.

The International Day of Yoga aims to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practicing yoga.

In his “Man Ki Baaat” radio talks to the nation this Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the whole world celebrated the 10th Yoga Day with great enthusiasm and zeal.

“I also participated in the yoga program organized in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. In Kashmir, along with the youth, sisters and daughters also participated enthusiastically on Yoga Day. As the observance of Yoga Day is progressing, even new records are being made. Yoga Day has attained many great achievements all over the world”, the Prime Minister said.

He pointed out how “for the first time in Saudi Arabia, a woman, Al Hanouf Saad ji, led the common yoga protocol. This is the first time a Saudi woman has instructed a main yoga session. This time in Egypt, a photo competition was organized on Yoga Day. The pictures of lakhs of people performing yoga on the banks of the Nile River, on the beaches of the Red Sea and in front of the pyramids became very popular. Myanmar’s Maravijaya Pagoda Complex, famous for its Marble Buddha Statue, is world famous. Here too, a splendid Yoga Session was organized on the 21st of June. A special camp was organized for Divyang children in Bahrain. A memorable Yoga Session was also held at Galle Fort, famous for its UNESCO heritage site in Sri Lanka. People also did Yoga at the Observation Deck in New York, USA. The President of Marshall Islands also participated in the Yoga Day program organized there on a large scale for the first time. A grand Yoga Day program was also organized in Thimpu, Bhutan, in which my friend Prime Minister Tobgay also participated”.

As Modi explained, “ That is, we all saw panoramic views of people doing Yoga in every corner of the world. I express my heartfelt gratitude to all the friends who participated on Yoga Day”. He then appealed, “ There is this long standing request of mine. We do not have to make Yoga just a one-day practice. You should do Yoga regularly. You will certainly feel positive changes in your life by doing this”.

It may be noted that Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. The word ‘yoga’ derives from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness.

Today it is practiced in various forms around the world and continues to grow in popularity.

The draft resolution establishing the International Day of Yoga was proposed by India and endorsed by a record 175 member states. The proposal was first introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address during the opening of the 69th session of the General Assembly, in which he said: “Yoga is an invaluable gift from our ancient tradition. Yoga embodies unity of mind and body, thought and action … a holistic approach [that] is valuable to our health and our well-being. Yoga is not just about exercise; it is a way to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature.”

The resolution notes “the importance of individuals and populations making healthier choices and following lifestyle patterns that foster good health.” In this regard, the World Health Organization has also urged its member states to help their citizens reduce physical inactivity, which is among the top ten leading causes of death worldwide, and a key risk factor for non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes.

But yoga is more than a physical activity. In the words of one of its most famous practitioners, the late B. K. S. Iyengar, “Yoga cultivates the ways of maintaining a balanced attitude in day-to-day life and endows skill in the performance of one’s actions.”