International Yoga Day

Theme:

The International Yoga Day 2020 theme is "Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family".

History:

International Day of Yoga is also called World Yoga Day. For the first time, it was celebrated on 21 June 2015. This initiative was taken by the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi by giving an impactful speech related to yoga on 27 September 2014 in the United Nations General Assembly and for this reason, on 21 June, it was declared as "International Yoga Day". The proposal to celebrate the International Yoga Day on 21 June in the United States was approved by 193 members on 11 December 2014.

In 1893, Swami Vivekananda addressed the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, America in which he introduced yoga to the Western world. After that, many eastern gurus and yogis spread yoga throughout the world and on a large scale, people started accepting it. Even yoga began to be studied in the form of a subject, and then it came out that there are long-term benefits of yoga.

In the last fifty years, this is not only an international phenomenon, but thousands of people from all over the world have made it a part of their daily routine.

How did Yoga originate in India?

Yoga has been introduced in India since pre-Vedic times. This has remained a part of the lifestyle of the Indians from the years. Yoga is an important part of Indian culture and civilization in which there are properties of both physical elements of humanity and spiritual uplift. This is the ideal combination of knowledge, karma and devotion. Maharishi Patanjali's contribution to India is important; he has codified and organized yoga postures or practices in the Yoga Sutras.

Why is 21st June chosen for celebrating International Yoga Day?

21 June is the day of the summer solstice. During the June Solstice, the North Pole is tilted towards the Sun or we can say that when the sun begins to move from north to south. From Yoga's perspective, this time is the transition period, i.e. a better time for meditation.

At the time of Sankranti or Uttarayan (around 21st June), the Adiyogi (the first yogi) left towards the south, and first, he saw the 7 royal sages who further became his first disciples. They propagated the science of yoga in many parts of the world.

It is amazing that 21st June marks this important event in human history. This date in the Northern Hemisphere is also the longest day of the year and it has special significance in many parts of the world.

What are the objectives of the International Yoga Day

- Make people aware of the benefits of yoga and connect them with nature.

- To reduce the rate of health-challenging diseases in the world.

- Spreading growth, development and peace throughout the world.

- Making people aware of physical and mental illnesses and providing solutions through yoga.- It also aims to develop a habit of meditation for peace of mind, self-awareness which is necessary to survive in a stress-free environment.

Benefits of Yoga

- Yoga makes both body and mind healthy.

- If regular yoga practice is done, then all health-related problems can be overcome.

- Yoga not only provides mental peace but also generates a peaceful environment.

- It is also mandatory to do yoga as our lifestyle is changing day by day. It can also help us to deal with climate change.

- Yoga gives strength to the muscles and the whole part of the body.

- The Respiration process becomes healthy; energy and power are also developed in the body via yoga.

- Maintains balanced metabolism in the human being.

- Helps in reducing weight and also keeps the cardio system healthy.

No doubt yoga helps in reducing health challenging diseases all over the world. It connects people with each other, helps in practicing meditation and in getting relief from stress. It provides a link between the protection of health and sustainable health development. Therefore, we should practice Yoga regularly and make it a part of our life.

Previous Year Themes:

1- International Yoga Day 2015-- Yoga for Harmony and Peace

2- International Yoga Day 2016-- Connect the Youth

3- International Yoga Day 2017-- Yoga for Health

4- International Yoga Day 2018-- Yoga for Peace

5- International Yoga Day 2019-- Yoga for Heart



Ref:

https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/why-international-yoga-day-is-celebrated-on-21-june-1497936471-1

Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwR-EAOz2Bk