Dr. Banarsi Lal and Dr. Pawan Sharma
Yoga is an art and science for a healthy living. It focuses mainly on bringing harmony between mind and body. The practice of Yoga leads to the union of an individual consciousness with the universal consciousness. Yoga refers to an inner science comprising a variety of methods through which human beings can achieve union between the body and mind to attain self-realisation. The aim of Yoga practice is to overcome all kinds of sufferings that lead to a sense of freedom in every walk of life. The science of Yoga has its origin thousands of years ago. The seers and sages carried this powerful Yogic science to different parts of the world including Asia, the Middle East, northern Africa and South America. Modern scholars have noted and marvelled at the close parallels found between ancient cultures across the globe. But the Yogic system found its fullest expression in India. Yoga is widely considered as an immortal cultural outcome. Although Yoga was being practiced in the pre-Vedic period but the great sage Maharishi Patanjali systematised and codified the existing Yogic practices, its meaning and its related knowledge through Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. After that many sages and Yoga experts contributed greatly for the preservation and development of the field through well documented practices and literature. Presently Yoga has been spread all over the world by the teachings of many famous Yoga masters from ancient times to the present date. Now-a-days everybody has conviction about Yoga practices towards prevention of diseases and promotion of good health. Lakhs of people across the globe have benefitted by the practice of Yoga. The practice of Yoga is blossoming and growing faster across the globe. In present era, Yoga is one of the most prominent well-being practices. It is a comprehensive practice that includes each and every aspect of life. It is considered as a way of life. This type of Yoga involves moral aspects, relationships, evolvement of one’s consciousness and, finally the physical practice.
The word ‘yoga’ has been derived from Sanskrit word ‘Yuj’ meaning to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness. Presently it is practiced in various forms across the globe and gaining its popularity rapidly. In present era, climate change is undoubtedly the biggest bane that focuses our generation. There is dire need to innovate, debate and implement new and more effective ways to reverse the negative impact the human population on the environment. Yoga can contribute in a holistic way to achieve a balance between mind and body. This approach to health and well-being can make a direct and useful contribution to the mankind’s quest to achieve sustainable development and adopt lifestyles that are in harmony with nature. Modern era is known for technological advancement which has made our life comfortable and easy but incorrect and busy lifestyle, pollution, changing climatic conditions, modern work culture etc. have made the life difficult. Many problems have been created in all the dimensions of life viz. physical, mental, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual. Yoga tries to provide a right direction in all walks of life. The uniqueness of Yoga is that it takes care of our health. This facilitates the practitioners of other systems of medicine, including conventional medicine to prescribe Yogic therapies to the patients. Yoga is an invaluable gift of our ancient tradition and it embodies unity of mind and body. It brings harmony between man and nature. Yoga is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with ourselves, the world and nature. It can help us deal with climate change by changing our lifestyles. The Yoga is well accepted across the globe. Yoga is a spiritual science originated in India by ancient Indian sages. In India this practice has been considered as the mental, physical and spiritual practice from the last 5000 years old. Yoga was originated in India in ancient times when people used meditation to transform their body and mind. Launching a particular date of practicing yoga all across the world and celebrating as yoga day was initiated by the Indian Prime Minister to the United Nations General Assembly. It has been observed that Yoga is beneficial for all the human beings if it is practiced regularly.
Yoga is a valuable gift of India to the world. Yoga unites mind and body, thought and action. Yoga harmonizes man and nature and is useful for the well-being of human beings. Yoga helps to change our lifestyle and everyone should adopt this day because of declining health status and changing climate in the present era. This resolution has been adopted under the Global Health and Foreign Policy by the General Assembly in order to provide a holistic approach to the people across the globe for their health. International Yoga Day is celebrated by the global leaders across the world and it is celebrated in more than 170 countries including the USA, Canada, China, UK etc. On this day Yoga training camps are organised followed by yoga competitions and various other activities to increase the awareness of the people. Yoga increases the level of well-being of the people and helps to change the lifestyles of the people in a positive way. On this day various government and non-government organisations get together to create the awareness on Yoga. Regular practice of Yoga offers all kinds of mental and physical health benefits. Yoga helps us to become more flexible by bringing greater range of motion in the tight areas. With the regular practice of Yoga one can expect to gain flexibility in ones hamstrings, back, shoulders and hips. With age, our flexibility usually decreases, especially when we spend a lot of time by sitting, which leads to pain and immobility. Yoga can help reverse this process. Yoga builds strength. Many Yoga poses require us to bear our body weight in innovative ways, including balancing on one leg or supporting with arms. Holding these poses over the course of several breaths helps build muscular strength. Yoga increases muscle tone. Yoga helps shape long, strong muscles in our legs, arms, back, and abdomen. Yoga improves the balance in our mind and body. Yoga helps to strengthen the muscles around the joints by reducing their load. People with arthritis often see marked improvement in their pain and mobility with regular yoga practice. Yoga prevents back pain. Increased flexibility and strength can help to prevent the causes of back pain.
