Connect with your body this International Yoga Day!

World Yoga Day is another name for International Yoga Day. It was commemorated for the first time on June 21, 2015. This move was taken by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who gave an inspiring speech about yoga at the United Nations General Assembly on September 27, 2014, prompting the declaration of June 21 as “International Yoga Day.” On December 11, 2014, 193 members voted to observe the International Day of Yoga on June 21st in the United States.

But where did yoga originate from? What is the significance of 21st June? Are there any benefits of yoga? If you have questions like these, this article is going to cover everything you need to know about world yoga day! 

What is the significance of 21st June?

Yoga’s beginnings can be traced back over 5,000 years to northern India. The Rig Veda, an old sacred scripture, is where the word yoga first appeared. The Vedas are a collection of four ancient sacred Sanskrit writings. Rishis (sages) polished and perfected it, recording their practises and beliefs in the Upanishads.

Yoga-like techniques are also mentioned in the Upanishads, which are Vedic Sanskrit literature. Patanjali is known as the founder of yoga, and his eight-step approach is the foundation of modern yoga. It’s also possible that Hinduism and Buddhism (both of which are supposed to have originated around the same period) played a role in the development of cohesive yoga systems. It is one of Hinduism’s six schools of philosophy, as well as a key component of Buddhism’s meditation techniques.

Yoga teachers began to travel to Europe and America to impart the teachings of yoga in the late 1800s, according to Yoga Journal. Swami Vivekananda, the first Hindu guru to lecture on yoga, did so in 1893. Western intellectuals reacted to his teachings with warmth and curiosity. Krishnamacharya’s first female student was Indra Devi. She went on to teach the country’s first yoga classes. Devi went on to build one of Hollywood’s first yoga studios in 1948.

This has become an international phenomenon in the last fifty years, with thousands of people from all over the world adopting it as part of their daily practice. Yoga is an integral part of Indian culture and civilisation, with features that include both physical and spiritual up-liftment. This is the perfect blend of wisdom, karma, and dedication.

Where does Yoga originate from?

The Sadgurus are commemorated on June 21st. The summer solstice occurs on this day. The North Pole is tilted towards the Sun during the June Solstice, or when the sun begins to shift from north to south. This is the transition period, according to Yoga, and thus a better time for meditation. About Sankranti or Uttarayan (around June 21st), the Adiyogi (the first yogi) set out for the south, where he first saw the seven royal sages, who later became his first students. They spread the science of yoga to all corners of the globe. 

It is believed that on the first full moon day after the summer solstice, Shiva gave the knowledge of yoga to his seven disciples and so this day is also known as Shiva’s incarnation. It is also said that during this period if spiritual practice is done, nature helps you achieve that spiritual goal. 

What are the benefits of yoga?

People of all ages can benefit from yoga’s physical and mental health benefits. Yoga can also be an important part of your treatment if you’re sick, recuperating from surgery, or living with a chronic condition. It can help you heal faster. Here are some benefits of doing yoga daily:

Improves strength, balance and flexibility: Slow movements and deep breathing help to warm up muscles and boost blood flow, while holding a pose can help you gain strength.

Reliefs of back pain: In patients with lower back discomfort, yoga is just as effective as basic stretching at relieving pain and improving mobility. Yoga is recommended as a first-line treatment for chronic low back pain by the American College of Physicians. 

Reduces arthritis symptoms: According to studies, gentle yoga can help persons with arthritis cope with the agony of sore, swollen joints. 

Good for your heart: Regular yoga practice may help to reduce stress and inflammation throughout the body, resulting in healthier hearts. Yoga can help with several of the conditions that contribute to heart disease, including excessive blood pressure and obesity. 

Helps you sleep better: A consistent bedtime yoga programme, according to research, can help you get in the appropriate attitude and prepare your body to fall and stay asleep. 

Lightens your mood and gives you energy: After getting into a yoga regimen, you may notice an increase in mental and physical energy, a boost in attentiveness and enthusiasm, and fewer negative feelings. 

Helps with stress: Scientific data demonstrates that yoga helps with stress management, mental health, mindfulness, healthy eating, weight loss, and good sleep, according to the National Institutes of Health. 

Reduces anxiety: Yoga asana has been shown in numerous studies to be a viable alternative treatment for anxiety problems. Yoga Nidra, a body scan/guided meditation, has been demonstrated to significantly alleviate anxiety symptoms.

Things you can do this yoga day:

Take a yoga class and eat snacks made with healthier ingredients to commemorate International Yoga Day. There’s no better time to start yoga than on International Yoga Day, even if you’re not an excellent yogi: 

Read a sutra: Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, the oldest treatise on yoga, is full of wisdom and information. Are problems bogging you down? Is your mind a whirlwind of activity? Look through the sutras to gain a new perspective on life, your specific situations, and the grand picture. 

Set your intentions: Every action in yoga has a purpose and significance, which is what distinguishes it from other forms of exercise. This extends over into our daily lives: we get caught up in routines and habits without even realising it, rather than taking an active role in shaping our lives. Most of us have desires and ambitions that aren’t tied to our daily routines. Step one: write down who you want to be and three steps to get there. 

Practice Ahimsa: Try this experiment in unconditional love: observe and accept your flaws. Allow yourself to be flawed, knowing that this does not diminish your magnificence. Allow someone else to be correct. Allow them to bother you. It’s important to remember that we’re all doing our best and that it’s okay to be broken. Consider the people around you as a reflection of your completely imperfect self, rather than as strangers. 

Go off the grid: On Yoga Day, set aside an hour to turn off your phone and computer. Check to see whether it improves your ability to connect on a deeper level. Use your imagination, and if you’re short on time, an art project is a terrific way to pass the time. Take a walk outside and listen to the sounds of the natural world. Try a meditation that opens up your third eye, which is your centre of wisdom and intuition. 

Last but not least, do yoga: It’s never too late to start doing yoga and what better day to start than International Yoga Day. Google yoga for beginners, get on your mat and follow the video for 30 minutes. Try to make a daily practice for a month and see how it completely changes your lifestyle!