New Delhi: People across the world are celebrating the fifth International Yoga Day on Friday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the celebrations at Prabhat Tara Ground, Ranchi. He performed various asanas with around 40,000 people to mark the International yoga Day.
Appealing to people to take yoga to all sections of society, he said yoga is an integral part of life.
The Prime Minister said, “We should make efforts to take yoga from cities to villages and tribal areas. Yoga is above religion, caste, colour, gender and region, it is above everything”.
Yoga for peace, harmony and progress! Watch #YogaDay2019 programme from Ranchi. https://t.co/nP8xHWMVYi
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 21, 2019
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, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness. Today it is practiced in various forms around the world and continues to grow in popularity.
Recognizing its universal appeal, on 11 December 2014, the United Nations proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of Yoga by resolution.
The International Day of Yoga aims to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practicing yoga.
All member and observer States, the organizations of the United Nations system and other international and regional organizations, as well as civil society, including non-governmental organizations and individuals, are celebrating this year’s event on theme ‘Yoga for Climate Action’.
The theme focuses on the way how yoga can help to solve the problem of climate change and also it bring lot more benefits into the lives of people.
It is important to work towards climate change. The sense of respect for mother earth overcomes regular yoga practitioners that will help people to act in a certain way at home and working environment to work and build better future.
Significance of International Yoga Day
Yoga helps to build strength, awareness and harmony in both the mind and body.
The physical benefits of Yoga include:
• increased flexibility
• increased muscle strength and tone
• improved respiration, energy and vitality
• maintaining a balanced metabolism
• weight reduction
• cardio and circulatory health
• improved athletic performance
• protection from injury
Apart from the physical benefits, one of the best benefits of yoga is how it helps a person manage stress, which is known to have devastating effects on the body and mind.