International Yoga Day

 

“Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help in well-being. Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day.”

- Indian PM Narendra Modi, at United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)

 
 

What is International Yoga Day?

The International Day of Yoga aims to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practicing yoga. June 21 was chosen as it is the Summer Solstice, the day where there’s the most sun out of every other day of the year. Overall, it received support from 177 nations, the highest number of co-sponsors for any United Nations (UN) resolution, proclaiming June 21 as International Yoga Day.

The theme for International Yoga Day 2021 is Yoga for Well-being. This theme was created to emphasize the importance of the role of yoga in dealing with the impact of COVID-19.

 
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What is yoga?

Yoga is an ancient physical, mental, and spiritual practice originating in India. Various styles of yoga combine physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation or relaxation. The overall philosophy of yoga is connecting mind, body, and spirit. There are several types of yoga and many disciplines within the practice. Today it is practiced in various forms worldwide and continues to grow in popularity.

 
 

What are some benefits of yoga?

Yoga offers physical, mental, and spiritual health benefits for people of all ages. Regular yoga can promote endurance, strength, calmness, flexibility, and well-being. Numerous studies show yoga’s benefits in arthritis, osteopenia, balance issues, oncology, women’s health, chronic pain, and other specialties. Because scientific research demonstrates the benefits of yoga, the U.S. military, the National Institutes of Health, and other large organizations listen to and incorporate scientific validation of yoga’s value in health care.

Yoga Journal notes 38 benefits of yoga, and I can vouch for these benefits in my personal life, including:

  1. Improves flexibility

  2. Builds muscle strength

  3. Perfects posture

  4. It prevents cartilage and joint breakdown

  5. Protects your spine

  6. It betters your bone health

  7. Increases blood flow

  8. Drains lymph and boosts immunity

  9. Ups heart rate

  10. Drops blood pressure

  11. Regulates adrenal glands (yoga lowers cortisol levels, which are responsible for stress, weight gain, depression, and osteoporosis)

  12. Makes you happier

  13. It serves as a foundation for a holistically healthier lifestyle

  14. lowers blood sugar

  15. Helps you focus

  16. Relaxes your system

  17. Improves balance

  18. Maintains your nervous system

  19. Releases tension in your limbs

  20. It enables you to sleep better

  21. Boosts your immune functionality

  22. It gives your lungs room to breathe

  23. It prevents irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other digestive problems

  24. It gives you peace of mind

  25. Increases your self-esteem

  26. It eases pain

  27. It gives you inner strength

  28. Connects you with guidance

  29. It helps keep you drug-free

  30. Builds awareness for transformation

  31. Benefits your relationships

  32. Uses sound to soothe your sines (hello breathwork!)

  33. Guides your body’s healing in your mind’s eye (mental benefits of yoga)

  34. Keeps allergies and viruses at bay (breathwork, cleansing practices)

  35. It helps you serve others

  36. Encourages self-care

  37. It supports your connective tissue

  38. Uses the placebo effect to affect change

Is yoga for everyone?

Whether you’re young or old, overweight or fit, flexible or inflexible, yoga has the power to calm the mind and strengthen the body. Yoga is for everyone; it doesn’t discriminate. Your age, gender, religion, socio-economic status, personality, height, width, sexual orientation, etc., won’t affect your ability to do yoga. Yoga does not have any requirements. Yoga is for everyone and anyone, everybody, and anybody.

 
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How do we practice yoga during a pandemic?

Different forms of yoga can help us stay physically strong and mentally balanced. Some ways that we can practice yoga during a pandemic include:

  1. Attend an outdoor event such as yoga in the park

  2. Schedule an in-person class with only your immediate family members

  3. Find an online class

  4. Watch yoga videos

  5. Engage in your regular wellness practices (breathwork, drinking loose leaf teas, yoga postures)

  6. Create time and space in your home for yoga practice (your bed at bedtime, a corner in your house in the morning, a room during the afternoon)

  7. Find a meditation practice

  8. Volunteer

  9. Sign up for a virtual yoga session with me

  10. During your break at work, engage in breathing practices

 
 
 
 
 

“Yoga is a light, which once lit will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter your flame.” ― B.K.S Iyengar

 
 

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Call, email, follow, or shop today to start your journey! 

Peace & Wellness, Dr. Nicole

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