International Yoga Day

Develop a balance among your body, mind, and soul!

International yoga day is celebrated on June 21 to promote the benefits of yoga to improve the global health quotient. During the 69th session of the UN General Assembly in 2014, the Prime Minister of India proposed the concept of a dedicated yoga day. Subsequently, on December 11, 2014, all 193 UN member states agreed without opposition to commemorating the International Day of Yoga annually on June 21. The first celebration of this day was launched on June 21, 2015, by the United Nations after recognizing its surprising health merits. 

The theme selected for the international yoga day 2023 is "Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam," emphasizing the shared vision of "One Earth, One Family, One Future." This theme reflects the global aspiration for unity and interconnectedness among all individuals and highlights the transformative power of yoga in fostering harmony and well-being on a global scale.  

What is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam? 

Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is a sanskrit phrase found in ancient Indian scriptures, which means "the world is one family." This conveys the idea of universal brotherhood and the interconnectedness of all beings. It represents India's cultural and spiritual heritage, promoting compassion, respect for diversity, and peace. Embraced by individuals and organizations worldwide, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam inspires efforts toward a more harmonious and inclusive global community. Its timeless message remains relevant in fostering a better world for all.

Deep Roots Of Yoga

"Yoga is a mirror to look at ourselves from within."

The term yoga is stemmed from the Sanskrit language that denotes the amalgamation of our body and mind to boost self-consciousness. It is an ancient practice that has its ground in India. Yoga involves different body postures and breathing exercises to improve flexibility, strength, and balance. 

7 Major Styles Of Yoga

• Hatha Yoga
• Iyengar Yoga
• Undali Yoga
• Aerial Yoga
• Restorative Yoga
• Sivananda Yoga
• Bikram Yoga
• Power Yoga
• Ashtanga Yoga

Reasons To Celebrate Yoga

"Yoga Is Beyond Physical Activity"

Practicing yoga postures regularly can reap many health benefits, and it is signified as a journey that invokes our inner self that improves self-realization.

 The Yoga And Heart Health

• Since high BMI and greater waist circumference are the key factors for heart diseases, practicing yoga can help you shed those extras. Research reports have demonstrated that heart failure patients who attended an eight-week yoga program expressed improvement in their overall heart health and thereby improved their quality of life.
• Practicing yoga slowly for two weeks has shown benefits in correcting abnormal heart rhythm in patients with arrhythmia.
• Patients with high blood pressure (hypertension) and elevated cholesterol levels can find significant differences in their parameters when practicing yoga for about three months.
• The theory behind this is that doing yoga shall stimulate the functions of our body enzymes and correct our hormonal balance. Besides this, yoga shall directly influence inflammation and reduce the inflammatory markers responsible for causing blockage of blood vessels supplying major body organs.

Yoga has potential health benefits, including lowering blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels. It can also improve heart rate and markers of heart disease, such as the frequency of atrial fibrillation episodes. Additionally, yoga has positively affected exercise capacity, quality of life, and inflammation markers in individuals with heart failure. The five best yoga for heart health are: 

• Utthita Trikonasana or extended triangle pose
• Paschimottanasana, or seated forward bend pose
• Ardha matsyendrasana, or half spinal twist pose
• Gomukhasana or cow face pose
• Setu Bandhasana or bridge pose

 Yoga Boosts Immunity

 " Everyday is a great day for yoga!"

Performing yoga asanas involve contracting and stretching muscles along with the movement of organs. Doing these yoga postures can increase the lymph flow in the entire body. As lymph is a fluid rich in immune cells, the high flow rate shall increase cellular functioning in fighting infection and cancerous cells. Six yoga asanas that can boost immunity and improve your breathing. They are, 

• Balasana or child's pose
• Dhanurasana or bow pose
• Bhujangasana or cobra pose
• Paschimottanasana or ​seated forward bend
• Savasana or corpse pose
• ​Virabhadrasana 2 or warrior 2

Diabetic-Friendly Asanas 

A sedentary lifestyle is one of the triggering factors for developing diabetes. Yoga shall benefit diabetic patients by bringing down their blood glucose levels by improving insulin sensitivity. Five asanas to manage the conditions are, 

• Marjariasana
• Paschimottanasana
• Adomukhi Svanasana
• Balasana
• Manduka Asana

 Yoga, The Stress Buster

As yoga involves a series of stretching, breathing, and relaxation, it positively impacts cortisol levels, the hormone responsible for increased stress and anxiety. This cortisol also plays a major role in producing the adrenaline rush; thereby, the build of stress can spike the levels of these hormones, eventually narrowing blood vessels and cutting off the oxygen supply. But for those prone to stressful conditions, yoga helps them offload the stress by enhancing the tranquilizing hormones and relaxing the nerve endings.  Four asanas to manage these conditions are,

• Marjaryasana to Bitilasana (Cat-cow pose)
• Balasana (Child’s pose)
• Viparita Karani (Legs up the wall pose)
• Savasana (Corpse pose)

Yoga For Deaddiction

Suppose you are suffering from smoking tobacco or chronic alcoholism. In that case, it is advised to practice yoga regularly since it can help you to become more determined to quit the intoxicating substances that are harmful to the entire body. Four asanas to manage the deaddiction conditions are,

• Vajrasana (Sitting Mountain)
• Balasana (Child's Pose)
• Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend)
• Baddha Konasana

Bone Health

Doing yoga is equal to weight-bearing exercises. Since yoga poses involve lifting your body weight independently, it helps strengthen bones and retain bone density. This function can help ward off certain bone diseases like osteoporosis. Five asanas to improve bone conditions are,

• Virabhadrasana 2 or warrior 2
• Vrksasana or tree Pose
• ​Bridge Pose or setu bandha sarvangasana
• Corpse Pose or savasana
• Phalakasana or plank pose

Yoga For Wholesome Living

International Yoga Day is a global celebration highlighting yoga's profound impact on physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. On this International Yoga Day 2023, make the core of your healthy living with yoga and commence your soulful self-discovery journey. To enrich and prosper our lives, we need to embrace the teachings of yoga. Practicing yoga in the early morning on an empty stomach is encouraged. People of all ages and genders can practice yoga because it is instrumental in integrating our lives and aids in leading a disease-free life.

It serves as a reminder of our interconnectedness and shared humanity. Through yoga, we can cultivate inner peace, mindfulness, and harmony within ourselves and extend that positive energy to the world. Let us embrace the teachings of yoga, promote unity and well-being, and work towards creating a more balanced and harmonious world for all.
 

"The yoga poses you avoid the most; you need the most."