Yoga seeks to unite human body  with mind

On June 21 the world comes together to celebrate the aspirations of human spirit by hosting Yoga sessions. India, which gave birth to Yoga, is continuously playing a substantial role in making this ancient science of holistic well-being accessible to a large portion of the world’s population, keeping in mind India’s philosophy of Vasudaiva Kutumbakam, i.e. ‘the entire world is one family.’

Yoga is a discipline that seeks to accomplish the union of human body and mind towards the realisation of its infinite potential and elevating the human consciousness beyond the confines of individual mind and ego until it merges with all pervading Supreme Consciousness. The regular practice of various tenets of Yoga aids holistic well-being by improving physical, physiological, psychological, emotional and intellectual health.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 27, 2014, urged the United Nations General Assembly to take cognisance of the universal appeal of Yoga. This is how June 21 became the International Day of Yoga (IDY).

India has also succeeded in impressing upon the world that Yoga is integral to its ancient cultural heritage which goes back to 5,000 years. The proactive efforts by the Indian Government also led to Yoga’s inclusion in the Unesco’s representative list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity in December 2016.

Today, the knowledge and practice of Yoga has spread beyond the confines of East and South Asia. International Day of Yoga is now celebrated as a festival in almost all countries, by all creeds, race, caste, gender, and age groups making it the biggest global event for humanity's holistic health and wellbeing.

The word Yoga first finds mention in the ancient text of Rigveda which was composed during the Indus-Saraswati Valley Civilisation. It was then developed further by the sages. Raj Yoga (the Yoga of Mind Management) was arranged into a eight-limb treatise, Yoga Sutras, by Patanjali during the 2nd Century BC.

Srimad Bhagvad Gita, the most widely read scripture, discusses mainly four classical forms of Yoga—i.e., Jnana-yoga, Bhakti-yoga, Karma-yoga, and Dhyana-yoga.

Although the Western World is interested in Yoga, its focus is mostly limited to the physical aspect of Yoga. However, in the last few decades, the US healthcare fraternity has been using Pranayama (regulated breathing techniques) and meditation in Yoga for treatment of the autism spectrum disorder. Various research articles in PubMEd and research done in India in collaboration with AIIMS, NIMHANS, etc., clearly show the efficacy of yoga in physical, mental and spiritual well-being.

India encourages the daily practice of Yoga among people. The effectiveness of Pranayama was manifest during the outbreak of Covid-19. Records show that millions of healthcare workers and Covid-19 patients in India made a lasting and faster recovery by practicing Yogasana, Pranayama, and meditation.

To increase awareness about Yoga and to encourage its practice among people, the Government has declared Yogasana as a competitive sport. India’s efforts to establish it in Asian and Olympic Games are continuing. The Prime Minister has also announced two categories of awards, international and national, to honour individuals and organisations making outstanding contributions towards the promotion and development of Yoga.

Currently, about 1.25 lakh wellness centres teach Yoga across the country. In rural India, Gram Panchayats are continuously being sensitised about the regular practice of Yoga and the Yoga Protocols through various efforts. Prime Minister wrote letters to 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayat Pradhans to promote Yoga-related activities. The Practice of Yoga has also been introduced in uniformed services.

(The author is Director, Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, New Delhi)