Apeejay students celebrate ‘Yoga for Humanity’ to promote physical and mental well-being

On the occasion of International Yoga Day 2022, held on June 21 every year, Apeejay schools and colleges organised yoga sessions to promote awareness about its benefits.

Of these, Apeejay School, Mahavir Marg, Jalandhar, conducted a meditation activity for students, parents, and alumni. The participants gathered at the school playground to perform certain yoga asanas as well, under the guidance of yoga teacher Ruchika. The participants performed Sukshma Kriya (yogic practices to loosen joints and remove energy blockages), Tadasana or mountain pose, Vrikshasana or tree pose, Ardh Chakrasana or half-wheel pose, Vajrasana or diamond pose, Uttan padmasana or raised leg pose, and many more. Three pranayamas performed included Nadi Shodhana pranayama or alternate nostril breathing, Kapalbhati pranayama or skull shining breath, and Bhramari pranayama or bee breathing technique.

Meanwhile, Apeejay School, Model Town, Jalandhar, also invited students and parents to take part in a rejuvenating yoga session. The asanas were performed at the school premises under the supervision of renowned yoga instructor Pawan Kumar.

The school principal Malkiat Singh also attended the session. Addressing the participants, he talked about the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices to boost well-being.

At Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar, Dr Rajini Sharma, English and life skills trainer, district coordinator of Sri Sri Yoga, and a faculty member of the Art of Living, led the yoga session for the day. She highlighted how yoga could improve flexibility, detoxify the body, and also lead to spiritual bliss and positivity. With her instructions, students at Apeejay along with the faculty performed a range of yoga asanas like Makarasana or crocodile pose, Bhujangasana or cobra pose, Pawanmuktasana or wind-relieving pose, SetuBandhasana or bridge pose, etc. The participants also practised meditation.

“Yoga is imperative for our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. It helps in releasing stress and anxiety. Not only on Yoga Day, but we should also practice yoga regularly to develop a sense of self-discipline & self-awareness and reap its long-term benefits,” said ACFA principal Dr Neerja Dhingra.

International Yoga Day was first celebrated in 2015 after Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested the date June 21 in his United Nations address in 2014. The date was chosen because of its special significance as the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

This year, the theme was “Yoga for Humanity” to reflect on how it benefitted people and kept them healthy following the Covid-19 outbreak.