Holistic practice: Yoga

By: Adithi Anoop

International Yoga Day “Yoga is a light, which once lit, will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter the flame”. -B.K.S. Iyengar 

Yoga is a holistic practice of meditation, postures, and breathing exercises, improving our mental health and harmonising our body, mind, and spirit. It also has many benefits like improving flexibility, increasing strength, balance, reducing stress, and anxiety. Yoga can support weight loss by increasing energy expenditure and promoting healthy eating habits. Yoga’s roots are in ancient India and are considered a spiritual discipline. It was first mentioned in the ancient Vedas – Rig Veda, the Upanishads, and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Maharishi Patanjali is credited with systematising and codifying yoga. He is also the founder of yoga and is known as ‘THE FATHER OF YOGA’ because of his perfection in the art of modern yoga. International Yoga Day is annually celebrated on June 21st, as it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and shares a special significance in many parts of the world. 

 It is a global event promoting the practice of yoga and its numerous benefits. On this day, people do yoga exercises together. Many schools, parks, and communities organise yoga sessions. It is a fun way to stay healthy and feel good. The concept of International Yoga Day was proposed by our own respected Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. This initiative was declared by the United Nations to be celebrated as the International Day of Yoga (IDY) across the globe. The first International Yoga Day was held in Rajpath, New Delhi. This year, 2025, marks the 11th International Yoga Day. The theme of IDY 2025 is “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”, which was announced by PM Modi in his Mann ki Baat address on March 30, 2025. 

“Yoga Sangam” is one of the 10 signature events of IDY 2025. It is a special effort to mark the occasion of the completion of a decade of IDY observation, aiming to expand yoga’s grassroots reach and to ensure that everyone can access the benefits of yoga. It is a 45-minute-long (6.30 AM to 7.40 AM) harmonious mass yoga demonstration based on the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) organised at 1,00,000 locations across India, uniting the masses via the “well-being” thread nationwide. It is a movement towards a healthier, more enlightened India. Yoga is for everyone, irrespective of one’s age. It can be simple or challenging, and it helps us feel happy and peaceful. On this IDY, let us embrace yoga as a lifelong companion. Let’s commit to making time for ourselves, to breathe deeply, to stretch further, and to find balance amid life’s chaos. Together, let’s spread the message of peace, health, and harmony of yoga.