International Yoga Day: Significance
Description
International YOGA
Day
Why in news?
June 21 is the International Day of Yoga, as declared by the United
Nations General Assembly on December 11,
2014, it would be in
order to take a look at the science of yoga.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- ·
Yoga has always been an important
part of India's culture and civilization as it is not just beneficial for
the body but also renews the mind with confidence
- ·
Amid the ongoing pandemic, Yoga has
assumed greater significance as it helps in the psycho-social care and
rehabilitation of COVID-19 patients
- ·
The theme of the International Yoga
Day 2021 is 'Yoga for well-being - how the practice of Yoga can promote the
holistic health of every individual.'
Introduction
Yoga is one
of the treasures that has been given to the world by this ancient land called
Bharat — India.
The word
‘yoga’ is derived from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolising the
union of a person’s body and consciousness. “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
As early as
the Upanishadic times — at least a thousand years ago — the science of yoga was
taught and practiced by the sages.
A few years
ago, the WHO defined mind health and mental well-being as an integral part of
sound health in human beings — an idea which the yogis have believed in for
thousands of years.
“Yoga is an
invaluable gift of India's ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and
body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and
nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being.
It is not
about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world,
and nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help
in well-being.
Why June 21 has been chosen as Yoga Day
June 21, which happens to be the summer solstice, has special
significance in yoga. it is widely believed that it was on the day of the
summer solstice that Lord Shiva began imparting the knowledge of yoga to the
world.
Theme of the year 2021
The theme of the International Yoga Day 2021
is 'Yoga for well-being - how the practice of Yoga can promote the holistic
health of every individual.'
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THEMES OF INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY
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AYUSH
The AYUSH
Ministry was created in 2014 with the objective to integrate Yoga and other
traditional medical facilities with health services.
In its
‘Common Yoga Protocol’ from 2019, the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga &
Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) lists Yama, Niyama, Āsana,
Prāṇāyāma, Pratyāhāra, Dhāraṇā, Dhyāna, Samādhi, Bandhās and Mudrās, Ṣaṭkarmas,Yuktāhāra,
Mantra-japa,Yukta-karma as popular yoga ‘sadhanas’.
The AYUSH
protocol describes the folding hands logo of Yoga Day as reflecting “the union
of individual consciousness with that of universal consciousness, a perfect
harmony between mind and body, man and nature, the holistic approach to health
and well-being. The brown leaves in the logo symbolize the earth element, the
green leaves of nature, blue the fire element while the sun symbolises the
source of energy and inspiration.”
