All You Need to Know About International Day of Yoga

Indian Government’s Ministry of AYUSH’s website states yoga to be a 5000-year-old tradition, combining physical, mental, and spiritual pursuits in order to attain harmony of the body and mind. It is believed to be an art as well as a science designed for healthy living. The word yoga has Sanskrit roots and is said to have originated from the term ‘yuj’, which means to join, or unite.

Fundamentally, yoga can be classified into four broad categories: Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Kriya Yoga. Modern manifestations of yoga can be traced to one of these four categories. Indian citizens have always been aware of this ancient tradition thanks to its mythological and cultural integration. However, the western world was introduced to this concept in the recent past and has embraced it wholeheartedly.

Declaration and annual celebration of International Yoga Day has ensured that people around the world get to know the massive benefits associated with this lifestyle. Read ahead to know more about International Yoga Day.

What is International Yoga Day?

International Yoga Day is a designated United Nations (UN) day, which is observed to increase global awareness regarding the positive effects of yoga. It is celebrated every year on June 21. Yoga-related events are held across different countries to help people adopt a healthy lifestyle.

Tracing the Origin

As yoga is an integral part of Indian mythos, it was natural for India to propose a dedicated day for yoga in the international arena. 175 member states endorsed the draft proposal and as suggested by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 21 June was declared as International Day of Yoga or Yoga Day. It was first celebrated in 2015 and received an overwhelming response all over the world.

Celebrating Yoga Day

People celebrate Yoga Day by gathering at a predefined area and performing yoga asanas. Yoga day has a short history but it has managed to encourage people to come forward in large groups. From New Delhi’s Rajpath to New York’s Times Square, people’s enthusiasm regarding Yoga Day has been on full display over the years. Previously, countries such as China, USA, Japan, Ireland, Greece, have participated in Yoga Day celebrations.

Benefits of Yoga

The World Health Organization (WHO) mentions lack of physical activity among the world’s top 10 causes of death. Physical inactivity can lead to serious ailments such as cancer. Yoga involves physical activity; and it is much more than that. Here’s a list of benefits associated with performing yoga asanas on a regular basis.

• Build musculoskeletal functionality

• Ensure cardio-vascular health

• Manage lifestyle-induced disorder

• Limit effects of stress

• Create harmony between body, mind, and soul

Getting Started

If you want to start moving towards a healthy lifestyle by performing yoga asanas, you can get in touch with a certified trainer who can guide you. There are plenty of books and online videos on this topic that can help you get started. However, do not get overwhelmed by the choices, start slowly and keep at it. Yoga is not a destination; it is a journey, a lifestyle.

Health Insurance

Some might say civilization has gone far ahead in terms of urbanization to come back to its roots. There’s no doubt that modern lifestyle has had a negative effect on people’s health. While it is definitely beneficial to practice yoga and choose an active lifestyle but one cannot negate the effect of an unpredictable and deadly disease. Medical issues faced by an individual can crack the entire family’s financial backbone. Here’s where health insurance can come to the rescue.

You have the option of purchasing health insurance plans for yourself or opt for health insurance plans for family. Both individual health insurance plans and health insurance plans for family can be purchased online in a quick and convenient way. Go through the policy document carefully before signing the dotted line.

If you haven’t started practicing yoga and haven’t purchased a comprehensive health insurance policy, now is the right time to do so.