Yoga has its roots in ancient India. It has today been accepted worldwide for its endless benefits. Here are some facts about yoga that you should know.
- Yoga can be traced to the Ramayana times which has been dated to atleast 7000 years ago. Lord Rama’s Guru Sage Vasishta counselled and enlightened Rama through the treatise known as Yoga Vasishta.
- Bhagavad Gita dating to around 5000 years ago, is a great treatise on the different Yogas, revealed by Lord Krishna to Arjuna.
- Rishi Patanjali documented the theory and practice of Yoga through his Yoga Sutras.
- Yoga is a Sanskrit term which means union. Yoga signifies the union of the Individual soul or Atma with the Supreme Soul or Paramatma.
- Yoga is not to be limited to asanas, postures alone. Yoga is the alignment of body, mind and breath to achieve harmony.
- Yoga has been practiced to achieve a higher state of consciousness, stay healthy, regulate mind and body, and improve self-awareness for better decision-making.
- Yoga helps prevent many lifestyle diseases like diabetes, obesity, heart problems, respiratory issues, etc. and alleviates symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disease and OCD (Obsessive-compulsive Disorder), among others.
- There are about 84 different yoga asanas or postures.
- The history of yoga has been classified into five different periods which include the Vedic period, pre-classical, classical, post-classical and modern yoga period.
“Yoga is a study of life, a study of your body, breath, mind, intellect, memory, and ego; study of your inner faculties.”
~ Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
The importance of yoga increased many folds during the pandemic when people had to resort to a healthier lifestyle to ensure they are protected from the clutches of the virus. As we celebrate International Yoga Day on June 21st, let’s amplify our intention for a better work-life balance. Here are some tips to celebrate this International Yoga Day and inculcate its impact on your life.
Celebrate International Yoga Day
Learn a New Yoga Asana
Yoga Day allows us to explore more about the techniques of yoga. Learn a new asana and perfect your posture. Additionally, learn the benefits of the asana and the right time to do the asana. Yoga postures boost immunity, increase circulation, improve posture, increase focus, and relieve stress and anxiety. It’s crucial to be slow and aware while you do yoga and experience the impact of every movement on the body.
If you are new to yoga or find it challenging, you can celebrate Yoga Day by doing any form of exercise, or by simply going for a walk or jogging. All that’s important is that you break out of your comfort zone and expand your limits.
“Withdraw your senses from the object to its source, and then the union happens, yoga happens.”
~ Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Share Your Yoga Experience with Someone New
The experiences of yoga differ from person to person. Share your love for yoga with someone new, and encourage them to learn an asana. You can arrange a session with your family members indoors or on the terrace. Place a few yoga mats and show them a posture, asking them to follow you. Instruct them to be slow and feel the impact of every posture they hold. Teach them about the breathing pattern throughout the asana and explain its benefits. Encourage them to practice the asana regularly.
Embrace Your Imperfections
On this Yoga Day, learn the art of self-love and exhibit compassion for others. Feel at peace within yourself and give up the urge to compare yourself with others. Admire your whole being and encourage others to accept their flawed selves. Allow people to be who they are and do not expect them to change for you. Meanwhile, do not be judgemental as everyone is learning in their own unique way. Understand the importance of resilience and find solutions without indulging in violence of any kind. Display humanity and inspire others to stand up for peace, within and without.
Organize Your Space
Implement the teachings of yoga by delving deep within yourself and creating space for new and better ideas. Let go of any hurt or loss in the past and accept the gift of life by being mindful of the present. Similarly, clear your physical workspace as well as your home of unwanted stuff and make room for new things. It does not just help you get rid of the clutter but also increases your focus and attention, and gives you the clarity to do things easily.
“Yoga is a discipline that opens the door to inner freedom.”
~ Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Join a New Yoga Workshop
Sign up for a new yoga workshop and unleash your potential by learning the many forms of yoga. Get assistance from the gurus and trainers and master some of the asanas. Create a list of yoga postures for each day, and practice them diligently. Through regular practice, connect better with yourself, and improve body flexibility and your sleep pattern.
Join us in our yoga program and establish discipline in your life, but in a fun way.
Build Affirmation
Build affirmation when you self-talk. Yoga is not something you have to force yourself to do, but rather it should be something that lightens you. To feel that freedom, you must stay regular in your yoga practice. Be it any day, sit at least for five minutes if you can’t find time throughout the day. With continuity, you will strengthen your core muscles while also learning patience and perseverance all the way. Practicing yoga regularly will build your self-confidence and help you proceed in the right direction.
Meditate
Meditation increases our awareness and brings us a fresh perspective to view things. It makes our minds calm and manifests gratefulness in us, reminding us of the love and assistance we receive in our lives from people around us. Chanting the ”om” mantra loudly can bring inner peace, relaxation and alertness.
On this Yoga Day, become aware of everything that’s healing you, starting from yoga to mindfulness to meditation. Disconnecting from all the worldly stuff and focusing on nature brings humility and opens up your intuition. Join us in our breath and meditation workshop.
Challenge Your Colleagues to Do One Asana Each Perfectly, Record and Circulate Pictures and Videos
Make this Yoga Day fun by challenging your colleagues at work to do one yoga asana, perfect the postures, and record and send or post the pictures in groups or social media. To make it more exciting, divide them into groups, and announce a winner based on the number of asanas and presentations.
What a healthy way to live the day and inspire others in the process!
Eat Healthily
Yoga urges people to follow satvik (vegetarian) food habits. You can either take up the challenge and follow the yogic diet for a week or maybe resort to eating healthy, letting go of all the unhealthy junk food and aerated drinks, and detoxifying your body. Include seasonal fruits, nuts, seeds and vegetables in your daily diet, and balance it with the intake of natural probiotics. Drink plenty of water and do not always stuff your stomach up. Eat light so that digestion becomes easier with every meal.
Stay Happy
On this International Yoga Day, learn the key to happiness through yoga, meditation, and mindfulness. Connect with others and share your journey with them. Focus on your breathing pattern and remove all negativity from your mind. The key to happiness is simple; forgive and forget.
It’s time you take the plunge and start a healthy and happy lifestyle from this Yoga Day.
“Yoga empowers you to feel the way you want to feel at any time, instead of being a victim of your own feelings. It makes you independent.”
~ Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
