We must have heard about the quotation “Health is wealth”. We must take care of our health. But now-a-days all of us are getting lazy. In earlier times, people used to work very hard in their fields. But now we would prefer a sedentary lifestyle rather than a workaholic lifestyle like the people of olden days. So our lives have become so busy that we don’t have enough time to care about our health. Increasing health issues warn us to take care about our health. Then comes the solution to the problem, that is, yoga
Yoga is one of the most ancient practices that originated in Indian subcontinent. It has been performed by yogis since ancient times. The word yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Yuj’ which means ‘union and discipline’. It is an exercise that connects the mind and soul of an individual. It also helps in balancing the elements of our body. It makes our body and mind relax and keeps our body fit. It helps in reducing our minds’ stress and anxiety. In earlier times, it was practiced by only a few people, but over time, people all over the world started practicing it as they started to realize the benefits of yoga.
BENEFITS OF YOGA: Practicing yoga helps us learn moral values and discipline. The asanas and postures of yoga strengthen our body and keep our body free from diseases. Yoga teaches us self-motivation and self-discipline. Yoga helps in sharpening our minds and improving our intelligence. It also enhances the concentration power of an individual. Furthermore, it helps in controlling our emotions and enhances our mental and social well-being. Yoga enhances our patience level and drives negative thoughts away. It helps one to become optimistic. Anyone can practice yoga irrespective of age, nationality, color, gender etc.
INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY: International Yoga Day is celebrated on 21st June every year since 21st June 2015. It raises the concerns among the people and motivates them to do yoga and practice a healthy lifestyle. It was first proposed by the Honorable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi. The first International yoga day was held in Raj path, New Delhi. By celebrating International Yoga Day, people become aware of their health and try to improve their health conditions in practicing yoga.
CLASSIFICATION OF YOGA: Yoga is classified into four types, namely, i) Karma yoga ii) Jnana yoga iii) Bhakti yoga iv) Kriya yoga
Karma yoga teaches us to perform our duty sincerely without the greed of rewards by doing selfless actions. So, Karma yoga is also known as Discipline of Actions. It can be practiced by us in our daily lives by helping others without expecting rewards. It is based on Karma philosophy which states that “Good will get good lives whereas bad will get bad lives.
Jnana yoga is the most complicated among all the four types. It teaches us to merge with our soul through the means of meditation. It teaches us to question ourselves that the deeds which we are doing are good or evil. This helps us to control our emotions and keep the mind steady. It helps in avoiding stress and anxiety. It is also known by the name Wisdom Yoga as it helps improve our wisdom.
Bhakti yoga is associated with divinity as it is the most significant pathway to devotional enlightenment. It is also known as Spiritual or Devotional yoga. The individual who performs yoga sees god in the bhajans or songs in which he sings. It is the easiest among the four types and it leads to purification of our mind and throws a light on to the path of divinity.
Kriya yoga is the physical practice of yoga in which several asanas or postures are performed in order to strengthen our body physically through meditation and breath control. By practicing this type of yoga, one can strengthen his or her body, mind and soul in a short span of time. This type of yoga helps our blood to absorb the largest amount of oxygen. This enhances the working capacity of all the parts of our body and helps in strengthening our body to a great extent.
Let us stand united to destroy the darkness which is the laziness and become energetic and active and make our nation a healthy nation with yoga. Let us perform yoga and improve our physical and mental health. It doesn’t make any difference if one is healthy in a country; everyone in the country needs to be healthy in order to form a healthy nation. So, let us also encourage others in performing yoga along with us. Together let us make our nation a Healthy Nation.
By CHINMAYI R
