New Delhi, June 20 (IANS). When the whole world is preparing to celebrate the 12th International Yoga Day on 21st June. In such times its relevance has increased more than ever. Amidst global stress, war and increasing mental challenges, Yoga has emerged as not just a physical activity but a way of life for a balanced, healthy and peaceful life.
The origin of the word ‘Yoga’ is in Sanskrit language, which means ‘to join or gather’. Its meaning is to unite body and consciousness. It unites body and mind, humanity and nature, and millions of people around the world. Yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual exercise process that originated in India and is now popular and prevalent in various forms across the world.
In the words of BKS Iyengar, one of the world’s most influential yoga gurus, yoga develops ways of maintaining a balanced approach in everyday life and provides one with the ability to perform one’s tasks efficiently.
A decade or two ago, yoga was mainly limited to a few countries like India, because its roots are found in Indian ancient texts. Yoga originated as a 5,000-year-old Indian physical, mental and spiritual practice intended to transform the mind, body and spirit.
Till recently, Western countries considered yoga as a physical exercise to tone the body, but due to the continuous efforts of major yoga institutes and teachers of India, yoga got promoted. People came to know that yoga is beneficial in fighting many diseases and developing a healthy mind, body and soul, which is the basis of a calm, peaceful, healthy and happy life. After the announcement by the United Nations to celebrate June 21 as ‘International Yoga Day’, people all over the world are once again looking towards yoga.
The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution on 11 December 2014 declaring June 21 every year as International Yoga Day. The draft resolution for the establishment of International Yoga Day was proposed by India and was supported by a record 175 member countries.
This proposal was first presented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address during the inauguration of the 69th session of the General Assembly in September 2014, in which he said, “Yoga is our ancient traditional invaluable gift. Yoga is the embodiment of unity of mind and body, thought and action, restraint and achievement and harmony between man and nature. It is a holistic approach to health and well-being. Yoga is only “Exercise is not just a means but a means of achieving harmony with oneself, the world and nature.”
The proposal on International Yoga Day was moved by India’s Ambassador to the UN Ashok Mukherjee. 175 countries joined as co-sponsors, the largest number ever for any General Assembly resolution. This was the first time that a country in a UN organization proposed such an initiative and got it implemented in less than 90 days. Since then, millions of people across the world participate in Yoga Day events for better mental and physical health.
–IANS
DCH/VC