Glimpses of Mesmerising
The inception of International Yoga Day traces back to September 27, 2014, when our Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi proposed the idea during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly, highlighting Yoga’s ancient heritage and its potential to promote global health and peace which was received broad global support and passed unanimously. At present, International Yoga Day has witnessed active participation from numerous countries conducting several workshops and sessions to spread awareness about the benefits of yoga. The Western World today patronises yoga as one of the best fitness mantras for not just a healthy body but a healthy soul.
The word ‘YOGA’ is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘YUG’ which means the union of individual soul with universal spirit. India could be considered as the birthplace of Yogic activity meditation. The sages and saints of India prescribed mainly four ways to achieve this union. They are ‘Gayryoga’, ‘Karmayoga’, ‘Bhaktiyoga’, and ‘Rajyoga’. These respectively imply the exercise of knowledge, that of labour, that of devotion and the royal exercise of mind, body and soul for the final preparation of union between human self and the spirit of the cosmos.
In ancient India, yoga was practiced by such sages as Shiva, Rama, Krishna and Vyasa. What Krishna taught Arjuna is not Krishnaism, but just Yoga! The root of Jainism is Yoga, since Mahavira practiced Hatha Yoga. Jesus Christ even carried out a lengthy pilgrimage with the purpose of studying yoga. Gautama Buddha studied youga throughout his life. In Tibet, people do not call themselves the Buddhists but the yoga practioners.
The key of essence of yoga is the path of wellness and good health. It includes various forms of exercises to keep a person in good shape and to get rid of various kinds of diseases and inabilities. Daily yoga practices – a combination of ashans and postures provides inner and outer body strength, strengthen the body’s immunity system, build muscle and bone tone, can reverse heart disease, squash anxiety and fear, stress related symptoms like poor sleep and fatigue, helps in relaxation of body and mind, lowering blood-sugar etc. Even the doctors today suggest mediation to the patients of depression and physical illness.
Yoga emphasises treatment of the root cause of an ailment. It works in a slow, subtle and miraculous manner. Modern medicine can claim to save a life at a critical stage, but for complete recovery and regaining normal health, one must believe in the efficiency of Yoga therapy. It should ideally be followed daily and be supported by a healthy lifestyle comprising of a healthy diet.
Shibdas Ghose
PWD Rental Housing Complex
Dimapur
