Yoga - India's Prized Possession

Yoga - India's Prized Possession

( by Sravani Gokaraju )

India is known for its philosophies and practices that have dated way back to around 2000-3000 BCE. One of the prominent ones during that time is the Vedic literature. It talks about many practices like Ayurveda, etc. which are effectively used to date. They heal problems that sometimes even allopathy can't solve. Another practice that originated even before the Vedic literature was scripted is yoga. Yoga leads to the union of individual consciousness with that of the Universal Consciousness, indicating a perfect harmony between the mind and body, Man & Nature. It's said to be dated back to possibly the Indus valley civilization around 3000 BCE. Though a few texts describing yoga is unclear, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali dating from the 2nd century BCE gained prominence in the 20th century after being first introduced by Swami Vivekananda. Following the success of Swami Vivekananda in the late 19th and early 20th century, Yoga gurus from India later introduced yoga to the West, with his adaptation of yoga tradition, excluding asanas.

The main purpose of yoga is to create harmony in the body, mind, and environment. Yoga provides many benefits, both physically and mentally. The physical benefits of yoga are improved body flexibility and balance, improved cardiovascular endurance (stronger heart), improved digestion, improved abdominal strength, aided in healing asthma, enhanced overall muscular strength, relaxation of muscular strains, weight control, increased energy levels and enhanced immune system. It also relieves stress resulting from the control of emotions, prevents and relieves a person from stress-related disorders, intellectual enhancement, and leads to improved decision-making skills, helps in dealing with depression and anxiety disorder. In fact, yoga has also acted as behavioral therapy for smoking cessation and substance abuse (including alcohol abuse). There are 8 types of yoga and each type has its own methods of performing it. Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Iyengar, Bikram, Jivamukti, power yoga, Sivananda, Yin yoga are all the different types of yoga.

With the fast-paced, always on the go mode that everyone is in these days, Yoga is very necessary. Allotting one hour on a daily basis to do yoga can fulfill the need for the very active and demanding life faced especially teenagers and adults. It can help in coping up with the stress of school, work, and in general, life. Practicing yoga for an hour every morning can help a person disappear from his/her problems and stress given by others during that time. It will give him/her peace of mind and can help in getting through the day ahead in a calm and controlled manner. It is a practice that will help people of all ages. Children must be taught yoga from a young age so that they can reap its benefits.

Many people from all countries now learn yoga because they know it's importance. People all over the world understand the benefits yoga gives, and so they either learn from the people there who in turn have learned it from Indians, or they come to India and learn. Yoga is a very powerful form of exercise that is extremely beneficial when done the right way and so, everyone must learn it.

With so many uses, yoga is one of India's prized possessions. Hence, 21st June is practiced as the International Day of Yoga as it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and shares a special significance in many parts of the world. So this year, let us all make it a habit to practice yoga at least once a day!

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