An Introduction to Yoga
Yoga is the ancient way to attain physical, mental, and spiritual practice. Primarily originating in India, the word 'yoga' is derived from Sanskrit, meaning to unite. This unity signifies the ultimate union of the body with consciousness and thus attaining definitive peace.
Recognizing the universal appeal of Yoga, on December 11 2014, the United Nations proclaimed June 21 to be marked as the International Day of Yoga.
It was first started by our present Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. He celebrated Yoga Day for the first time on June 21 in 2015, after which Yoga Day started being celebrated all over the world on June 15, and it turned into International Yoga Day. Since then, Yoga Day has been celebrated every year by the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) in India.
As per the calendar, this date is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the shortest in the Southern Hemisphere. Also, from the Yoga's perspective, this summer solstice marks the transition to Dakshinayana. Dakshinayana is the six-month tenure for the sun to travel to the south on the celestial sphere in between the Summer and the Winter solstice.
In today's times, this is practised in various forms across different parts of the world and is growing more and more popular. The main aim of celebrating International Day of Yoga is to raise awareness of the multitude of benefits of Yoga. However, Yoga is much more than just a mere physical activity.
As per one of the famous Yoga practitioners, late B. K. S. Iyengar, Yoga is the best way to cultivate and maintain a balanced attitude in daily life while bequeathing the best of performance skills in every action being made.
History of International Yoga Day
Yoga is a centuries-old practice that originated somewhere around 5,000 years ago in India. This was looked up as a process and technique to interconnect the mind, body and soul together and take a step closer to enlightenment. As this practice gained popularity in the West, this started to be termed an exercise and relaxation method. This was also associated with the claims to alleviate any existing physical injuries and chronic pains.
The idea to mark June 21 as International Yoga Day was first proposed by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 27, 2014. It was during his UN General Assembly speech where the resolution was introduced by India's Ambassador, Asoke Kumar Mukerji, to June 21 as International Yoga Day.
On June 21, 2015, i.e., when this day was first celebrated, more than 36,000 people from all over India joined Prime Minister Modi to perform 21 yoga postures, also called asanas, for 35 minutes at Rajpath, New Delhi. Shri Narendra Modi was further joined by other high-profile political and famous leaders across the globe.
What is Yoga?
Yoga is a process in which man tries to bring his mind, body and soul together. Yoga is a Sanskrit word meaning to meet or be united. Yoga originates from Indian culture. People have been practising Yoga since about 5000 years ago. Yoga does not have physical fitness primarily; in Yoga, people try to control their body and mind through mental focus and breathing methods.
If men teach Yoga, then they are called yogis, and if women teach, they are called yoginis. Yoga Sutra is a 2000-year-old book. This is the only book in which written evidence of Yoga has been found. This book is the oldest book about Yoga. Yogic philosophy is described in this book. A lot of methods have been conveyed about how someone can control their mind, their emotion, and merge into spirituality.
Yoga is divided into six branches, namely Hatha Yoga, Raja yoga, Karma yoga, Bhakti yoga, Jnana yoga, Tantra yoga. There are also seven chakras of yoga styles namely Sahasram chakra, Ajna chakra, Vishuddha chakra, Anahata chakra, Manipura chakra, Svadhishthana chakra, Muladhara chakra.
There are total 13 types of Yoga: Kundalini Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Yin Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Bikram Yoga, Power Yoga, Sivananda Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Prenatal Yoga, Aerial Yoga, Acro Yoga.
Benefits of Yoga
Yoga is the only process in which you can exercise without any equipment. Not only that but in Yoga, you can drive away your diseases without any medicine.
With Yoga, you can increase the flexibility of your body. If there is flexibility in one's body, then the pain is much less in that body. Doing Yoga can relieve your pain.
If a person does Yoga for 20 to 30 minutes daily, then his body does not get tired throughout the day.
Yoga is very beneficial for children. Yoga is also helpful in calming the mind, and it is also helpful in showing the right attitude. Doing Yoga produces positive thoughts, and it also takes the mind to do the right thing
Muscles get strong by doing Yoga. By going to the gym, doing weight exercises also strengthen muscles, but when you do Yoga, your muscles become strong, and at the same time, it becomes flexible also, so there is no arthritis and back pain.
Doing Yoga keeps the mind calm. By doing this, anxiety does not come. Diseases like mental stress and hypertension remain away from the body.
Doing Yoga improves human posture.
Yoga helps bones remain strong, and there is no joint pain. Blood flow remains good by doing Yoga. It also improves the heart rate of the body and also boosts immunity. Not only this, but Yoga also helps in controlling blood pressure and controls blood sugar levels.
Weight loss is also very quick and easy due to Yoga. Yoga makes the person happy all the time. It enhances peace of mind which leads to good sleep.
Role of India to promote Yoga
Yoga originated in India. Yoga has been practised in India for about 5000 years; every person in India knows about Yoga very much in advance, people know its benefits, and it has been done before it became popular in the world. In his speech given in the UN, the current Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, gave the idea of making International Yoga important.
He said in his speech," Yoga is an invaluable gift of India's ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfilment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about exercise but discovering the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and nature. Changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness can help in well-being. Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day."
With this, the UN Assembly accepted this proposal and decided to celebrate International Yoga Day on June 21 every year. Also, there are several exercises being organized in the schools like writing International Yoga Day Essays for students in English and other vernacular languages.
Significance of Yoga
Shiva, also known as Adiyogi, is considered the originator and creator of Yoga. This was further brought to the masses by the Saptarishis. As per the Indian mythological story, Shiva sat in a meditating position for years. Then, seven people were impressed by his level of determination, so they decided to learn from him, and they sat still for more than 84 years.
After this, Lord Shiva noticed these 7 beings on the summer solstice day and transmitted the science of meditation to the Saptarishis (7 rishis).
International Yoga Day 2021: List of suggested Activities in India
To reach out to the people and induct them into the delightful world of Yoga, some of the activities suggested this year were:
Internal guidelines issuance within the offices with the background of the observation of the then International Day of Yoga. This can also be mentioned or displayed on the respective websites for awareness.
With social media platforms, cover the latest updates and details about International Yoga Day.
Preach the staff with Common Yoga Protocol and organize the online training programmes for these protocols
Ensure maximum participation for the Common Yoga Protocol in a COVID-19 compliant manner.
Circulate the relevant materials to all employees and associates to further share the awareness.
Organize related activities like online lectures sessions and workshops for Yoga experts.
Circulation of Yoga costumes, mats, and other related goodies to motivate all for Yoga practising and adoption.
Publish Yoga and specific articles across organizations with official e-newsletters, bulletins, magazines, and other publishings.
International Yoga Day Objectives
The main objective to adopt International Yoga Day is as mentioned below.
Promote enhanced mental and physical health advantages amongst the people.
Aware the public of Yoga's holistic advantages.
Promote awareness among people about Yoga's natural and amazing results.
Assist people to connect with nature while practising Yoga daily.
Reduction in the rate of fatal diseases across nations.
Unification of communities while devoting quality time for health from monotonous work routines.
Growth enhancement and development together to bring peace.
Encouraging people to eliminate negativity and embrace yoga asanas.
Triumph over bad mental and physical health.
Promote healthy living habits amongst the masses.
Conclusion
International Yoga Day is celebrated every June 21. It was introduced by our honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. It aims to provide mental health fitness, physical health fitness of mind, body and soul. It also rejuvenates our body and keeps us calm. On this day there are many activities that take place in school along with parents.
FAQs on International Yoga Day Essay: Celebrating Yoga for Health and Wellness
1. What should be the main focus of an essay on International Yoga Day?
An essay on International Yoga Day should focus on explaining its core purpose and significance. A good structure would include an introduction to what Yoga is, its ancient Indian origins, the story behind the UN's declaration of June 21st, a detailed section on its holistic benefits (physical, mental, and spiritual), and a concluding paragraph summarising its importance for global health and wellness.
2. When and how was International Yoga Day established by the United Nations?
The idea for an International Day of Yoga was first proposed by the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, during his speech at the UN General Assembly on September 27, 2014. Following this proposal, the United Nations officially proclaimed June 21st as the International Day of Yoga on December 11, 2014. The first celebration took place worldwide on June 21, 2015.
3. What are the key physical and mental health benefits of Yoga that should be included in the essay?
When writing the essay, it's important to highlight both the physical and mental benefits. Key examples to include are:
- Physical Benefits: Increased body flexibility, stronger muscles, improved posture, better blood circulation, stronger bones, and control over blood pressure and sugar levels.
- Mental Benefits: Reduced stress and anxiety, a calmer mind, improved concentration and focus, development of positive thoughts, and better emotional regulation.
4. How can I structure a short essay (150-200 words) on International Yoga Day?
For a concise essay, follow a simple three-part structure:
- Introduction (approx. 40 words): Briefly define Yoga as a union of mind and body and state that June 21st is celebrated as International Yoga Day.
- Body (approx. 80 words): Mention 2-3 core benefits, such as how it improves physical strength and flexibility while also calming the mind and reducing stress.
- Conclusion (approx. 40 words): Conclude by stating that Yoga is a gift to humanity that promotes global health and harmony.
5. Why was June 21st specifically chosen as the date for International Yoga Day?
The date June 21st holds special significance. It is the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, making it the longest day of the year. From a yogic perspective, this day also marks the transition to Dakshinayana, when the sun begins its journey south. This period is considered highly supportive for spiritual practices, making it an auspicious day to celebrate Yoga.
6. How can an essay explain the difference between Yoga as a physical exercise and as a holistic way of life?
An effective essay can explain this by first acknowledging that Yoga is popularly known for its physical postures (asanas), which improve health. However, it should then elaborate that this is only one aspect. The true meaning of Yoga, derived from the Sanskrit word 'yuj', is to unite the mind, body, and spirit. You can explain that it is a holistic discipline that includes breathing techniques (pranayama), meditation, and a philosophy aimed at achieving inner peace and self-realisation.
7. What role did India's Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, play in the inception of this day?
Shri Narendra Modi was the primary proponent for establishing International Yoga Day. In his 2014 address to the UN General Assembly, he presented Yoga as an “invaluable gift of India's ancient tradition” and urged the global community to adopt a day for it. His initiative led to the drafting and adoption of the UN resolution that created this global observance.
8. Beyond its benefits, what other aspects like Yoga's origin can make an essay more comprehensive?
To add depth, an essay can touch upon the mythological origins of Yoga. For example, you can mention that Lord Shiva is considered the first yogi, or Adiyogi, who passed on this knowledge to the Saptarishis (seven great sages). Mentioning the 'Yoga Sutras' as an ancient foundational text also demonstrates a deeper understanding of the topic beyond its modern applications.
9. What is a good way to conclude an essay on Yoga Day to leave a lasting impression?
A strong conclusion should briefly summarise the key points about Yoga's benefits and global significance. To make it memorable, you can end with a powerful call to action or a quote. For instance, you could use a line from PM Modi's UN speech: “Yoga is ... not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and nature.” This reinforces the holistic theme of the essay.
