INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY

"Yoga, embodies unity of mind and body, thought and action, restraint and fulfillment, harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being."
--Narendra Modi

June 21St has been declared as the "International Yoga Day" by the United Nations General Assembly on December 11, 2014. The declaration came after the call for adoption of this day by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address to UN General Assembly on September 27, 2014.

Yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual practice that evolved over thousands of years to embrace a wide range of styles and disciplines, aims to transform human body and mind. It is a science that is designed to cultivate health and happiness, a greater sense of awareness and higher consciousness. So, Yoga is an ascetic discipline which is practiced for good health and relaxation.

Some people think Yoga is only a physical exercise. No, it's not true. Yoga is a science, it is a systematic process which gradually dissolve all the illusions of mind so that the mind becomes a dynamic center of direct perceptions. Through this practice one can understand and experience the supreme Truth that God is within us. So we shall have to offer something spiritual to our mind and soul and if we stop giving, it will revolt. This ancient spiritual science offers a calmer, happier and more fulfilled life for a person.

It is said in the Bible; "Be still and know that I am God." In these few words lies the key to science of Yoga.

Yoga offers many different practices that lead towards this goal;

Hatha Yoga: A system of different physical exercises, whose higher purpose is to purify the body as they believe that our soul is a part of Almighty God . So the body should be treated as a temple, where the God live.

Karma Yoga: Path of blissful actions without any desire of the results. Perform all actions with the honesty and sincerity. This path brings the awareness that "God is the Doer of everything" and we all are moving in this cosmos, with our certain goals. So welcome whatever comes and let go whatever goes without any attachments.

Mantra Yoga: Centering the consciousness through the chanting of certain sounds, representing a particular aspect of spirit.

Bhakti Yoga: Path of devotional bliss through which we understand and experience the truth that we all are equal and a part of God. So love the divinity in everyone and everything.

Gyana Yoga: Path of wisdom offers the application of discriminative intelligence to achieve spiritual liberation.

Raja Yoga: The supreme path of yoga, brings the power of mind control and gives the knowledge to understand that God is always there to hold our hands and walk with us. So feel him and experience the truth what we really are.

Regular practice of these disciplines, help us to transcend the physical and mental limitations and come to the easeful state of mind of being true itself. It is a complete essence of the way of happy and healthy life. This ancient science offers a direct means of stilling the natural turbulence of thoughts and restlessness of body that prevent us from knowing what we really are.

Now a days yoga has become very popular as a system of physical exercise all over the world. It is a popular activity among athletes, children and seniors too. Yoga has been proven to lower blood pressure and increases strength and flexibility. Yoga energizes our bodies and calms our minds. So let us add Yoga in our lives and stay healthy.

Author: Dr. Nidhi Jindal