BHARATA BHARATI

The theme of this year’s Yoga Day is yoga health. The aim is to highlight a holistic approach to yoga, which focuses on both physical and mental well-being. – TNN

Since its inception in the year 2015, June 21 is celebrated as International Yoga Day in different parts of the world. The idea of International Yoga Day was proposed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. At the United Nations General Assembly, he said, “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 to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help in well-being. Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day.” June 21 is the longest day (in the Northern Hemisphere) of the year.

The theme of this year’s Yoga Day is yoga health. The aim is to highlight a holistic approach to yoga, which focuses on both physical and mental well-being.

Support by different countries

This resolution was supported by 175 countries, including USA, Canada and China. This proposal has the biggest number of co-sponsors in the history of any UNGA resolution of such nature.

This was not the first time when this idea of celebrating World Yoga Day was proposed. International Humanitarian and Yoga Guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar also proposed to dedicate a day to Yoga in December 2011. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar appreciated the efforts of Hon’ble Prime Minister and stated that, “It is very difficult for any philosophy, religion or culture to survive without state patronage. Now, official recognition by the UN would further spread the benefit of Yoga to the entire world.”

The day holds special significance in many parts of the world. Yoga is not only a physical or mental activity but has a great spiritual aspect, especially in India. It is recommended that yoga should be performed daily, early in the morning as it is beneficial for mental and physical wellness. This worldwide event is celebrated by people across the globe where they meditate, participate in debates, meetings, discussions and perform cultural events.

About the logo

Folded hands in the logo symbolises Yoga, the union. This reflects the union of individual consciousness with that of universal consciousness. This also symbolizes perfect harmony between mind and body, which is a holistic approach to health and well-being.

The brown leaves symbolise the Earth, the green leaves symbolise the Nature and blue symbolises the Water.

Brightness symbolises the Fire and the Sun symbolises the source of energy and inspiration.

As mentioned at the bottom, it reflects harmony and peace for humanity, which is the essence of Yoga.

International Yoga Day celebration in the year 2015

The first International Day of Yoga was observed on 21 June 2015 and was celebrated all over the world. The Ministry of AYUSH (India) made the necessary arrangements for people in India. A large number of dignitaries including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with 35,985 people performed 21 yoga asanas for 35 minutes. This event was held at Rajpath in New Delhi (India). NCC cadets entered the Limca Book of Records for the “largest yoga performance simultaneously by a single uniformed youth organisation.” They performed at multiple venues.

This event also won two Guinness world records. They were awarded to the Ministry of AYUSH which was received by AYUSH Minister, Shripad Yesso Naik. The day was celebrated by 84 nations.

International Yoga Day celebration in the year 2016

The Ministry of AYUSH organized International Yoga Day on 21 June 2016 in Chandigarh. The event was attended by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with 30,000 people in attendance. The event was titled as “The National Event of Mass Yoga Demonstration.”

A senior government official said, “The government of India has decided to take forward the momentum created by International Day of Yoga, 2015 with greater and more active participation of youth during the current year celebrations.”

International Day of Yoga celebration was held at UN Headquarters in 2016. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that we should choose healthier choices and lifestyles. He further added that we all should commit to unite with other human beings, regardless of ethnicity, faith, age, gender identity or sexual orientation. He also stated, “Practicing yoga can also help raise awareness of our role as consumers of the planet’s resources and as individuals with a duty to respect and live in peace with our neighbours. All these elements are essential to building a sustainable future of dignity and opportunity for all.”

Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, founder of the Isha Foundation, was the main speaker at the event. He said, “Two billion people around the world practice yoga, fundamentally, because it works. Every human being can have a pleasant and peaceful life experience if they fix themselves from the inside. And while it is true that one might not be able to teach yoga lessons in a war zone, war itself is a manifestation of what is happening in human minds. So we can’t start with the outside, we have to start inside.”

Celebration of World Yoga Day, 2017

Today, 72 students and teachers from the City Montessori School of Lucknow, India will be performing yoga asanas at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. According to Human Resource and Development Minister Shri Prakash Javadekar, this year International Yoga Day will be celebrated by over 180 countries. In Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged that in a family of three generations, all should perform Yoga together on World Yoga Day and upload their pictures in the Narendra Modi App. – The Times of India, 20 June 2017

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