The third International Yoga day was observed on 21.06.2017, the longest day in Northern hemisphere and also marks sun’s transition to Dakshinayana. Summer solstice.
The idea of international Day of Yoga was the first proposed by the current Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), on 27 September 2014.
“Yoga is an invaluable gift of India's ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help in well being. Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day.”
— Narendra Modi, UN General Assembly
When draft resolution for International yoga day was introduced in UNGA by India’s permanent representative Mr.Asoke Mukerji, it was supported by 177 member states and adopted without vote. A total of 177 nations co-sponsored the resolution, which is the highest number of co-sponsors ever for any UNGA resolution of such nature.
International Yoga day-21-06-2015
➢ 35,985 people took part in single venue at Rajpath New Delhi.
➢ 84 different and unique nationalities took part in the event.
➢ Both a record as declared by Guinness World Records.
➢ 900 million (*apx) mobile users across India received an SMS from PM
➢ Ivan Stanley-Dubai performed Shirshasana for 1hr non-stop-world record
➢ Yoga at the highest altitude in the world – Siachen Glacier:
➢ Estimated 250 million people around the world practiced yoga.
➢ Over 20 million of them in the US.
➢ 650 of India’s 676 districts participated.
➢ Of the 193 UN member countries, celebrations were held in 192 countries
➢ Yemen the only exception, because of internal conflict
➢ Worldwide, yoga is estimated to be an $80 billion industry.
Bird’s eye view from Eiffel Tower on International yoga day on 21-06-2015
International Yoga day-21-06-2016.
The second year celebration saw an equal verve and enthusiasm across the globe. It is indeed that Yoga made a good mark across the world. Better mind and body-Better peace and happiness.
➢ Prime Minister Mr.Narendra Modi lead and perform at Capitol Complex Chandigarh.
➢ More than 30,000 people participated from the states of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh.
➢ Theme or slogan of International Yoga Day 2016 is “Connect the Youth”.
➢ Hon'ble Prime Minister announced the institution of Awards for the promotion and development of Yoga.
➢ Of the 193 UN member countries, celebrations were held in 192 countries
➢ More than 10000 people in London participated in yoga and meditation activities.
International Yoga day 21-06-2017
❖ Third International Yoga day in India celebrated at Lucknow.
❖ The Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute of Pune awarded for outstanding contribution to promotion and development of yoga.
❖ Yoga celebrations held across 12 cities in eastern China from June 17 to 25
❖ Over 180 countries celebrated IYD on 21-06-2017.
❖ 60,000 People in Mysore Create Guinness World Record
The theme of this year's Yoga Day is Yoga health.
Let’s go back a few millennia to understand and appreciate one of the most valued gift of India to the world at large.
The word "yoga" comes from the Sanskrit root yuj. The practice originated in ancient India. The development of yoga can be traced back to over 5,000 years ago, but some researchers think that yoga may be up to 10,000 years old. Yoga's long rich history can be divided into four main periods of innovation, practice and development.
Yoga in Vedic India
The beginnings of Yoga were developed by the Indus-Sarasvati civilization in Northern India over 5,000 years ago. The word yoga was first mentioned in the oldest sacred texts, the Rig Veda. Patanjali organized the practice of yoga into an "eight limbed path" containing the steps. and stages towards obtaining Samadhi or enlightenment. Patanjali is often considered the father of yoga and his Yoga-Sûtras still strongly influence most styles of modern yoga (Hatha Yoga).
Yoga in medieval India
During medieval India, Yoga thrived under Emperor Ashoka and Harsha. They held control over large lass masses. Later, the kingdoms became fragmented and for centuries, the practice of yoga was orphaned due to invasion and British colonisation. Very few sages and fakirs practiced it.
Yoga in Modern India
Swami Vivekananda as a delegate at the 1893 Parliament of Religions in Chicago, wowed the attendees with his lectures on yoga and the universality of the world’s religions. Swami Vivekananda promoted Indian religiosity—and yoga more specifically—as a respectable area of personal interest for the middle classes of Europe and America. The international success of Vivekananda as a representative of India and Hinduism abroad led to national success and admiration within India.
Advent of “Art of Living” promoted and guided by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar, gave a real fillip to yoga within the country during late 90s.
Declaration of International Yoga day by UNGA, globalised Yoga. Yoga might well be the first non-material product that is globalised.
With three successive years of global participation, the International Yoga Day is a well-marked calendar event. It is an event to cherish for every Indian.
The international embrace of yoga has just driven the point across firmly that Yoga is not a religious relic but a method for health and wellbeing (physical, emotional, mental and social). Yoga is the regular practice of a range of many different techniques, including postures and movement, breath awareness and breathing exercises, relaxation and concentration, self-inquiry and meditation.
Yoga is a practical aid, not a religion.
To those minds who see Hinduism and Yoga as two sides of the same coin, here’s a famous sanskrit couplet translated in English:
“Elixir of life is to be accepted even if it comes from poison, a piece of gold is to be accepted even though impure. A good conduct is to be learnt even from an enemy and a good lady is to be accepted even from a bad community.”
You don’t have to be a Buddhist to learn Karate or Judo, do you?
Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solstice
