Yoga for everyone india’s gift to the world for healthy living has now been widely adopted

Yoga for everyone india’s gift to the world for healthy living has now been widely adopted

Today is a proud occasion for all Indians as people across the continents in over 170 countries are celebrating India’s gift to the world – yoga, the ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice which brings about a unison of the body and the consciousness with the surroundings and nature.

Probably one of the most interesting definitions of the ancient practice was given by BKS Iyengar who had said: “Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured.” In fact, the endurance of yoga for over 5,000 years can be attributed to the beneficial impact it has on mind and body.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his maiden address to the UN General Assembly, said “Yoga is an invaluable gift of our ancient tradition.” Following his proposal, India introduced the draft resolution in UNGA in 2014, suggesting June 21 to be proclaimed International Day of Yoga.

The UN declared June 21, 2015, as the first International Day of Yoga after a record 175 countries endorsed the resolution which noted “the importance of individuals and populations making healthier choices and following lifestyle patterns that foster good health.”

It is a matter of concern that the World Health Organization recently stated that 61% of all deaths in India every year are because of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which include cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases, among others. I feel, without getting into the nitty gritty of various types of yoga, that this ancient practice needs to be further popularised across all regions and all sections.

Yoga is a holistic approach to well-being. Viewed from purely the physical aspect, yoga has proved to be a very powerful set of graded exercises which can be practised by all – from children to youth and even the elderly. Studies have shown that many psychosomatic disorders can be healed through yoga. It advocates purity of mind, speech and body, contentment, acceptance of others, perseverance, self-study, self-reflection and contemplation of the Supreme Being.

Sage Patanjali, who compiled the first yoga philosophy, defines yoga as an ability to control random thoughts and achieve a stillness that creates inner harmony. It is unfortunate that some people, due to lack of proper understanding, are giving it a religious hue. Yoga has nothing to do with religion and should not be viewed in a narrow, bigoted manner.

I was pleasantly surprised to find yoga centres in Lima, Peru, during my recent visit to Latin American countries. In present times, when lifestyle diseases are posing a big threat to the health of people, especially the youth, yoga is an important vehicle to transform the mind and body into a healthy and lively fitness machine.

The worrisome trend of youngsters resorting to extreme steps like ending their lives can be curbed if they develop a sense of equanimity and calmness of mind, which can be developed through yoga and meditation. In olden days, yoga used to be part of the daily routine in gurukul ashrams. Following foreign invasions and British rule, the significance of ancient Indian practices like yoga was diminished. I am happy that the world has currently recognised its value and importance. I attended an international yoga conference at Rishikesh and was pleased to see that delegates from many countries attended it.

The time has come to introduce yoga as part of school curriculum so that India becomes a nation of healthy and happy people in the coming years. Yoga needs to become what it always has been – a complete philosophy of life, encompassing all facets, including the psychological, physical and spiritual.

The word ‘yoga’ itself connotes ‘unity’ and signifies an integrated vision of human life. The world today is beleaguered with conflicts, violence, ill health and ill will. Let us collectively rediscover the virtually limitless benefits of this ancient science. Only when it becomes an integral part of individual life can society develop as a whole in all dimensions.