International Yoga Day 2023: College students and staff rejuvenate with asanas

To mark the 9^th International Yoga Day, Apeejay Stya University (ASU) held a two-day Yoga Protocol Training Session earlier this month for its students and staff. The yoga programme was organised in collaboration with the AYUSH, Haryana Yog Aayog, Government of Haryana.

Dr Bhudev Hans, Nodal Officer, AYUSH, Haryana Yog Aayog, Government of Haryana, was invited to the event as the resource person to train ASU participants. He demonstrated various yoga exercises, from pranayam to asanas like Bhujangasana and Vrikshasana, particularly for young college students. He further made the session very interactive by responding to their queries regarding physical and mental health issues.

The two-day session was successful in rejuvenating ASU members while inspiring them to practise yoga for their overall well-being.

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“Yoga, if done properly, is a complete health package at zero cost. The yoga protocol training session was an effort in that direction, to make students aware of the correct way of doing yoga exercises. Even renowned senior medical practitioners all over the world themselves do it and prescribe it to their patients,” said Vijay Kumar, associate professor, School of Education, ASU, who led the organising committee.

This year, India is commemorating a 100-days countdown from March to June 21, which is when International Yoga Day is observed. The countdown commenced with a three-day ‘Yoga Mahotsav 2023’ inaugural session in Delhi, in the presence of Union Minister Sarbanand Sonowal. As part of the programme, 100 cities and 100 organisations are reportedly participating in the countdown to promote yoga.

Yogic exercises, including meditation, have a critical role and contribution to ensuring holistic wellness of people in today’s stressful environment. Recognising the benefits of yoga, the United Nations General Assembly officially declared June 21 — suggested by Prime Minister Narendra Modi  — as International Yoga Day in 2014 to raise global awareness about this ancient practice from India. The first International Yoga Day was thereafter celebrated on this day in 2015.