Yoga, a new way of life!

Aarti Soni

Member, The Helpbox Foundation

Every year on the 21st of June, we witness the whole world practising yoga since 2015. It’s a gift to the entire world from India. In 2014, our Prime Minister proposed in the 69th UN The general Assembly make a day for Yoga to spread awareness about it worldwide. PM Modi said, “Yoga is an invaluable gift from our ancient tradition. Yoga embodies unity of mind and body, thought and action, a holistic approach that is valuable to our health and well-being. Yoga is not just about exercise but it is a way to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature. Each and every member agreed to this proposal. The resolution was passed by 177 members. This was the first time in Indian history that our country represented Yoga on an International platform.

PM Modi suggested this date, 21st June, as it is marked as the longest day in the northern hemisphere that holds a special significance in many countries. This year we celebrated the 8th International Yoga day. The theme of this Yoga day is – ‘Yoga for Humanity’. It’s a big responsibility on India’s shoulders to teach and preach to the whole world about yoga. The meaning of this day is successful only when it reaches every nook and corner of the globe. India is playing a very proactive role in spreading awareness at the global level. The impact of Covid-19 was severe. It affected the physical health and mental health of the human race. Many health problems arose during the pandemic, like depression, anxiety, and stress. The effect of post-Covid-19 still exists, and there is a need to address these problems as soon as possible. Yoga has embraced the whole world to stay healthy and fit even during pandemic times. Yoga played a pivotal role in healing many incurable diseases.

During the pandemic time, yoga helped the patients who were quarantined. Yoga emphasises values like – mindfulness, moderation, preserve & discipline. Yoga is the key to sustainable living. Yoga is a Sanskrit word that combines body and mind, symbolising reaching higher consciousness through inner consciousness. Yoga is the utmost important part of everyone’s life.

Though it is an ancient cultural practice, its importance in this modern stressful life plays a significant role as today’s life is more mechanised. In India, Yoga is practised as a way of life rather than any exercise. There are 84 types of asanas in traditional Yoga, but this number could go up to 400 to 1000 types. Yoga is Indian philosophy, and there is a need to reach everywhere in the world. It is the responsibility of each and every citizen to preserve their own culture. To enrich the culture, there is a need to promote and be aware of other societies to know about it and take experience from it. It should not be limited within the community but propagated to others too.The Helpbox Foundation are playing an active role in spreading awareness about health-related subjects like nutrition, diet, exercises, yoga, meditation, mental health, spiritual health etc., to people either online or offline. The members are stepping out to make us aware of the importance of yoga in our life in this present time. The members held campaigns about yoga to involve people of each age. Your body exists in the past, and your mind exists in the future. In yoga, they come together in the present. – B.K.S. Iyengar