“Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.” – The Bhagavad Gita
Man today has become almost robotic – mentally, physically and emotionally in trying to keep up with the rat race of life. Yoga is an ancient spiritual practice with its roots in India and its reference is found throughout the Hindu scriptures. With the International Yoga day just gone by, sharing with you seven interesting facts about it.
Meaning of Yoga:
The word ‘Yoga’ has been derived from Sanskrit meaning join or unite symbolizing the union of body and consciousness.
History of International Yoga Day:
It was our PM Shri Narendra Modi who proposed the idea of International Yoga Day to be observed during his speech at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on 27th September 2014. A draft resolution was also introduced by India’s Ambassador to the UN which was supported by 177 nations which were the highest number of co-sponsors for any UNGA resolution. Thereafter, the United Nations announced June 21 to be observed as the International Day of Yoga.
International Yoga Day 2019:
Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand organized and hosted the main yoga day event. The venue chosen was Prabhat Tara ground where 18,000 people performed yoga with PM Modi and Chief Minister Rabhubar Das.
The First International Day of Yoga:
On the historic day of June 21st, 2015, about 35,985 people performed 21 asanas for 35 minutes in New Delhi along with Shri Narendra Modi and dignitaries from 84 nations.
World’s oldest yoga teacher:
Ida Herber who was an active yoga teacher till the age of 96 earned the world’s oldest yoga teacher by Guinness World Records in 2012.
Yoga for dogs:
‘Doga’ is yoga for dogs. It was started by Suzi Teitelman in New York in 2002. Dogs are used as props with doing Doga.
Yoga at Statue of Unity:
This year on yoga day, over 1,000 Hindu seers, religious leaders, and mahants would have performed yoga at the 182-meter Statue of Unity premises in Gujarat.
Source: Business Today
