Sunday, June 21 is International Day of Yoga
The theme for 2020 is "Yoga for Health - Yoga at Home"
While the social distancing measures adopted by countries to fight the Covid-19 pandemic have shut down yoga studios and other communal spaces, yoga practitioners have turned to home practice and online yoga resources.
Yoga is a powerful tool to deal with the stress of uncertainty and isolation, as well as to maintain physical well-being.
The United Nations offers yoga resources to its personnel and others on the Coronavirus portal’s section on Wellness.
The World Health Organisation mentions yoga as a means to improve health in its Global action plan on physical activity 2018–2030: more active people for a healthier world.
With schools closed and holiday activities cancelled, parents may find it challenging to keep their children physically active. Yoga can help.
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UNICEF says children can practice many yoga poses without any risk and get the same benefits that adults do. These benefits include increased flexibility and fitness, mindfulness and relaxation.
Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. The word ‘yoga’ derives from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolising the union of body and consciousness.
Today it is practised in various forms around the world and continues to grow in popularity.
Recognising its universal appeal, on December 11 2014, the United Nations proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga by resolution 69/131.
The International Day of Yoga aims to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practising yoga.
The draft resolution establishing the International Day of Yoga was proposed by India and endorsed by a record 175 member states.
The proposal was first introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address during the opening of the 69th session of the General Assembly, in which he said: “Yoga is an invaluable gift from our ancient tradition. Yoga embodies unity of mind and body, thought and action … a holistic approach [that] is valuable to our health and our well-being. Yoga is not just about exercise; it is a way to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature.”
The resolution notes “the importance of individuals and populations making healthier choices and following lifestyle patterns that foster good health.”
In this regard, the World Health Organisation has also urged its member states to help their citizens reduce physical inactivity, which is among the top 10 leading causes of death worldwide, and a key risk factor for non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes.
But yoga is more than a physical activity. In the words of one of its most famous practitioners, the late B. K. S. Iyengar, “Yoga cultivates the ways of maintaining a balanced attitude in day-to-day life and endows skill in the performance of one’s actions.”
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