Yoga is said to have originated in India during the Golden Age, nearly 26,000 years ago. The actual Sanskrit word, when broken down, means "to control", "to yoke" or "to unite". The word has also been translated to mean "joining", "uniting" and "union". The union is made between the self and the spirit. Yoga is a major part of the Hindu religion as it embodies their natural state of being and spiritual enlightenment. As a part of Hinduism, Yoga belongs to one of the six Hindu schools of philosophy. If you dig deeper, you can read about how yoga is used in conjunction with meditation. Yoga is also a major part of Buddhism as a part of their meditation practices. It has even been linked to Islam and early Christianity.

https://www.everythingyoga.com/what-is-yoga.htm

Yoga Benefits

Yoga can do a lot for the human body, although it won't cure every ailment. Yoga can be worked into virtually any lifestyle or schedule. Yoga has been proven to increase health and body awareness allowing yoga participants to better control their bodies. From flexibility increases to better body alignment, Yoga can help with a variety of ailments.

Physical Benefits of Yoga: Increased Flexibility, Increased Strength, Improved Balance, Increased Stamina, Improved Body Alignment (reduces joint pain)

Mental Benefits of Yoga: Stress Reduction, Body Awareness, Better Sleep, Improve self-confidence, Relaxation

There are many more physical and mental benefits, but these are the major ones. Those who suffer from certain conditions can also benefit from yoga. Women who are pregnant or who are planning on becoming pregnant can benefit greatly from yoga.

21st June is declared as Yoga Day.

Yoga exercises are good for health .

Thank you Dr Mahesh Kumar for sharing details.

the information about the yoga day was new to me. For people in Western Europe, including the USA, yoga is a doctrine of salvation that frees them from the stress of modernity through a certain philosophical teaching, meditation and - above all - physical exercises in connection with meditation. People of Western modernity expect from yoga what they seem to have lost in their lives: spirituality, peace, becoming one with themselves and others.

Great, valuable and timely question, Prof. Mahesh.

Following

Mahesh Kumar provides us with a reminder that a healthy mind needs a healthy body. Most of the time!

Dear Mahesh,

the word Yoga- as you point out, means to yoke or join. It is common to all mystical traditions that seek union with the Absolute or Divine - but in India methods have been designed to make the path to our deeper Self or Essence easier. That is one of India’s gifts to humanity.

With warmth Tina

I am definitely aware that 21st June is observed as the International Yoga Day. The basic purpose of observing International Yoga Day is to create / spread awareness world wide about the benefits of Yoga and its practice.

This is not an one-day affair. The practice needs to be sustained and to be incorporated into our daily life for sustained benefits out of it.

In fact, this was one of the ways our sages used to keep themselves healthy and fit in ancient India.

Very well mentioned@Bandyopadhyay Ji

One must practise yoga every day for at least 20 minutes to keep healthy and fit.

Thanks for your nice reply and observations.

Yes

Thanks Dr. Mahesh for sharing this question,

I just know that, good information, yoga anice and healthy exercises.

Good luck

Yoga has become popular as form of physical exercise based upon physical poses (asanas) to promote improved control of mind and body and to enhance well being. Yoga is used to cure diseases like asthma, arthritis, diabetes, liver disorders, hypertension, indigestion, migraine and depression.

Please have a look at these useful links for detail information on the health benefits of yoga.

Article Significance of yoga in modern life

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/41164086_The_Health_Benefits_of_Yoga_and_Exercise_A_Review_of_Comparison_Studies

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/23965788_The_benefits_of_yoga_for_rheumatoid_arthritis_Results_of_a_preliminary_structured_8-week_program

Article The Benefits of Yoga for Athletes: The Body

Article The therapeutic value of yoga in neurological disorders

Article The benefits of yoga in children

Article Evaluation of the Mental Health Benefits of Yoga in a Second...

Conference Paper Benefits & Risks of Yoga: A Review

Article Perceived Health Benefits from Yoga among Breast Cancer Survivors

https://dash.harvard.edu/bitstream/handle/1/10436227/3447533.pdf?sequence=1

https://getd.libs.uga.edu/pdfs/mccoy_colleen_m_200612_ma.pdf

As it s a humin education, it has an activity for many people in the world for reduce its stress and save a good health. For this recent years the yoga education it be fellow by a lot of person in the world. It not stay localised in few country. In my opinion practice yoga allow to make our health is good state. I'm addition to active our mind.

Yes, dear Dr Ali, yoga is very beneficial for both the body as well as the brain. I will advise you to add it in your daily life.

Good luck!

My knowledge of Yoga is derived from Paramahansa Yogananda and Sri Yukteswar; the breathing techniques are of vital value, because you learn, how to inhale air in a healthy mode.

Interesting. Following

Interesting question and informative discussion...............Following

Correctly pointed out that 21st is the World Yoga Day. Let us not only celebrate by performing yoga on 21st but continue to do so throughout the year for our own health benefits.

Scholar Patanjali says Yoga as "that which control the thought process and makes the mind peaceful." Yoga has been practiced in India for thousands of years and is traditionally used by spiritual seekers as a system of self-development for purification of the body and mind.

Regards

Dr. Kamath Madhusudhana

Interesting question and information.

Dear ResearchGate Colleagues,

I wish you all a very Happy International Yoga Day (2018).

Regards,

Dr. Arvind Singh

I hope this link will help you

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/13-benefits-of-yoga#section1

regards

Interesting question and very good discussion.. LIKE 👍

Please follow the below given links and PDF attachment also.

Conference Paper YOGA IN HEALTH CARE

Conference Paper Yoga Therapy for Chronic Diseases: Psychosomatic Aspects

Conference Paper Research Studies on the Role of Yoga in Chronic Diseases

Article Effect of Yoga-Based Intervention in Patients with Inflammat...

Article Can yoga be used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease?

Article Recent Development in Yoga: A Scientific Perspective

Article Effect of Yoga on Hypertension

Article Yoga in Rheumatic Diseases

Article Yoga for Parkinson's Disease: Clinical round up

Article Yoga and Mental Health: A Review

Article Yoga for stress reduction and injury prevention at work

Article Yoga has Beneficial Effects on Patients with Chronic Disease...

Article Impact of yoga on chronic pain —A review

Chapter Yoga as a Treatment for Low Back Pain: A Review of the Literature

Article Impact of Yoga on Periodontal Disease and Stress Management

Article A Journey to Embodied Healing: Yoga as a Treatment for Post-...

Article Yoga as treatment for chronic pain conditions: A literature review

Article The Effects of Yoga on Anxiety and Stress

http://medind.nic.in/haa/t09/i1/haat09i1p40.pdf

http://www.healingyoga.org/pdf/TheYogaofHealing.pdf

http://www.yogaoutreach.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Yoga-as-Complementary-Therapy-for-Children-and-Adolescents.pdf

http://nopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream/123456789/19364/1/IJTK%201%28Inaugural%29%2022-24.pdf

Wonderful literature has been provided by Dr Arvind singh Ji

Thanks

The UN declared June 21, 2015 as the first international day of Yoga after a record 175 countries endorsed the resolution.

The Great BKS Iyenger, said: 'Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what can not be cured' .

The science of Yoga can be used by everyone to achieve physical well being and can be adopted to learn a better way to live healthy, harmonious and happy life.

The Bhagwad Gita, which is a treatise on yoga, details the different forms of yoga that may be practised by people of various persuasions.

The true essence of yoga revolves around elevating the life force or ‘Kundalini’ at the base of the spine. It aims to achieve this through a series of physical and mental exercises. At the physical level, the methods comprise various yoga postures or 'asanas' that aim to keep the body healthy. The mental techniques include breathing exercises or ‘pranayama’ and meditation or ‘dhyana’ to discipline the mind.

Please find the following links:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga

2. http://www.osteopathic.org/osteopathic-health/about-your-health/health-conditions-library/general-health/Pages/yoga.aspx

3. https://www.studentsassignmenthelp.com/blogs/yoga-importance-students-life/

4. Chapter History, Philosophy, and Practice of Yoga.

5. Article The Effects of Yoga on Anxiety and Stress

Hope this helps you!

Best!

Nice literature @Dr Shukra Raj Paudel

I didn't know that, interesting information.

On 11 December 2014, the United Nations General Assembly approved a resolution establishing 21 June as "International Day of Yoga", following the call for its adoption by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The first International Day of Yoga was observed worldwide on 21 June 2015. About 35,000 people, including Modi and many dignitaries, performed 21 yoga asanas for 35 minutes at Rajpath in New Delhi. The day devoted to yoga was observed by millions across the world.

On December 1, 2016, yoga was listed by UNESCO as an Intangible cultural heritage.

The way we prayer five times a day is the best yoga across globe

Nice and valuable information @Dr Jabbar

Thanks

Dear Ahamad prayer is different than Yoga. Yoga covers a large prespective of life, and prayer may be counted as an element of yoga.

Already a lot of discussion and literature has been provided by our worthy colleagues. Please have a look.

Thanks

With best regards

Prayer will teach one to talk to Higher Nature or the Divine, meditation teaches one to listen to one's Higher Self - this requires quietening the thinking mind. As Mahesh Kumar says, yoga includes both aspects. It also includes looking after physical health so one can sit for long periods of time while in contemplation of and with Higher Nature. It is considered a very complete science.

Warm regards Tina

Dear All,

I am afraid, yoga exercises are good not only for physical - body - health but also for the mind.

Yes, you have rightly mentioned@Dr T. Lindhard.

Thanks for your nice reply and observations.

Yoga exercises are not common in my country and I did not know this information.

Thanks to the interesting information

Yoga provides immense peace of mind and soul.

There are various types & system of Yoga but the main aim of Yoga is to create a healthy development of our mind , covering the inner force of our nature which may pave the way & also to help the guide line for our action of our life .

Yoga is mean for every human beings irrespective caste ,creed , & religion & as such every human being can take recourse to Yoga practice to make overall worthy life in various part of our life action .It has been also observed that in case of Yoga practitioner quite often for our mind take a reshape for prayer ,meditation , which may help them to come out with the practices of OMKAR .

This is my personal Opinion

Dear Dr. Mahesh Kumar ..

Unfortunately I dont like Yoga , so its not common in our country , but I promise you that I carefully follow the International Yoga Day. Best regards..

Yoga is one of the exercises of the soul and mind ...but with great regret such exercises are unknown in my country... thanks with best regards

Yoga is a holistic system in which mind and body act in unison and get completely rejuvenated as physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation help in overall well-being of an individual. Yoga is a gift from India to world and it has nothing to do with religion. Yoga is a powerful unifying force.

Surya Namaskar is the ancient spritual practice of the 12 asanas (postures) in Yoga. Surya Namaskar is a holistic philosophy of honouring the sun and the nature. It is cardiovascular workout to stay fit but it also leads to inner peace.

Excellent contributions on Yoga Day 2018.

Yoga and Meditation (meditation is the highest form of Yoga to connect to inner self) not only has benefits at physical and mental level but also at the level of deepest inner core of human being (some call it soul, others call it witnessing awareness).

In my research, I found that 20 weeks of Yoga and Meditation has increased the physical, mental, emotional, social-relational, self and spiritual Consciousness Quotient.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320621718_Effect_of_yoga_meditation_on_consciousness_mindfulness

In another research which I presented at International Conference on 'The Science of Consciousness', I found that Yoga and Meditation improves central executive functioning, verbal and visuo-spatial working memory. It had significant effect not only on advanced meditationists but also on novice meditators.

www.consciousness.arizona.edu/.../TSC2017AbstractBook-final-5.10.17-final.pdf

Thanks@S. Ahuja for sharing your views and nice piece of research on yoga.

Thanks again

New information, thank you.

Improves cardiovascular health.Curbs chronic neck and low-back pain.

Controls diabetes. Staves off stress and anxiety.Decreases depression.Lowers cancer risk.Promotes positive self-perception.Lengthens lifespan and youth.

Nowadays yoga has become a bit of a craze. But the ancient tradition of yoga is more than a fitness trend alone. For those who have experienced the powerful mind-body-spirit transformation that yoga can bring, they’ll be hard-pressed to find another replacement. Learning to breath is one of the most powerful things you can do. Not only does breath supply us with our life force, oxygen is also responsible for eliminating waste and toxins; bringing oxygen to the blood and the brain; rejuvenating our organs; and reducing stress, anxiety and disease. It’s hardly any wonder the ancient yogis devoted serious time to understanding and practicing the relationship between the inhale and exhale. There are numerous Pranayama (breathing) exercises, some of which are very simple like Bhastrika, Kapalbhati, Anulom-Vilom, Bahaya, Agnisar, Ujjayee, Udgeet, and Pranav. Others Pranayam should only be practiced under the guidance of a teacher. Yoga is the fountain of youth-you are only as young as your spine is flexible. Not only does yoga keep your spine young and flexible, it also directly correlates to numerous other health benefits.

According to a recent study by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Yoga helps to reduce the severity of depression by increasing levels of certain chemicals in the brain that maintain the sleep-wake cycle and regulate the mood, appetite and digestion. Yoga results in decrease in cortisol (stress hormone) and reduces level of oxidative stress. Yoga is also found to slow down the pace of ageing by reducing levels of oxidative and psychological stress. It also aids in maintaining the length of telomere which are DNA sequences that lie at the ends of chromosomes and act as biological clock. This study also found that meditation and yoga are able to reduce severity of depression and enhances physical and mental well being.

There is a lot to learn, discover and explore in the tradition of yoga. The 3 basic steps to starting a yoga practice are:

1. Learn how to breathe: The most important thing to do in yoga is to breathe, especially when holding the postures. Most importantly, breathe in and out through the nose. There are various breathing exercises available in the literature.

2. Start with a brief meditation: Sit in easy pose or accomplished pose or any comfortable seating position and take a few minutes to ground, center and focus inwards with one of meditations.

3. End with Shavasana (relaxation pose): Always end your yoga practice with Shavasana, resting on your back and consciously relaxing your body for 5-15 minutes.

In yoga, an asana is a posture in which a practitioner sits. In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali defines "asana" as "to be seated in a position that is firm, but relaxed". Asanas are also performed as physical exercise where they are sometimes referred to as "yoga postures" or "yoga positions".

Dear List Friends of Yoga,

For a long fascinating article (with numerous translations) regarding the history/evolution/meaning of Yoga Day, please write to me: [email protected], and receive a copy of the text. In the meantime, here is an article from 2014, written by Sri Mandleshwar Swami Veda Bharati: https://ahymsin.org/main/swami-veda-bharati/international-yoga-day.html

Dr Mahesh Kumar - all your answers are very informative and useful

All Principals/Directors of Indian Universities have been advised to perform Yoga in their Institutes by inviting Yoga expert and all the students must join with the instructor and the CD showing video is required to be submitted to Prime Minister's office

In some of the educational institutes Yoga has become routine practice in India.

I agree with Prof Dr K N Sheth Sir

Thanks Dr K.N. Sheth for your appreciation and valuable information.

Thanks

Yoga is actually integration of mind and body. It helps in having command over the five senses.

Nice reply@ Anup Chandra

Thanks

The beginnings of Yoga were developed by the Indus-Sarasvati civilization in Northern India over 5,000 years ago. The word yoga was first mentioned in the oldest sacred texts, the Rig Veda.

Nice information @A.NOORI

Report from Rishikesh about Yoga Day, 2018 Association of Himalayan Yoga Meditation Societies International (AHYMSIN) submitted by Amy Scott Wood Gage

International Day of Yoga 2018

by Carolyn Hume

“Blessings of Gratitude for the Inspiration of our Spiritual Guides, awakening us to the source of peace, happiness and freedom. Each day a reminder, each year a celebration of progress, each lifetime dedicated to LOVE - SERVE - REMEMBER. OM,”

Swami Ritavan Bharati commented to those who planned events for the International Day of Yoga 2018 in accordance with Swami Veda’s request that “All our initiators, teachers, centres should plan something each year.”

📷

Many centers did observe this day. There may be additional centers that I have inadvertently missed.

Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama (SRSG), Rishikesh, India

Please see the article “International Day of Yoga at SRSG” by Tarinee Awasthi in this newsletter.

Burkina Faso

Idriss Raoua Ouedraogo reported that our organisation led the celebration of Yoga day in Burkina in the presence of the Minister of Sport, Dr. Tahirou Bangre; and the Indian Consul in Burkina, Mr. Deepak R. The Minister suggested to implement Yoga sessions in Burkina Institute of Sports Sciences where all teachers of sport are trained and to introduce Yoga sessions in Burkina schools activities. Based on the Minister’s instruction, the first Yoga class was scheduled to start on June 27th with his participation.

Greece

Swami Ritavan Bharati was at Café Ecole-Himalayan Yoga Meditation of Hellas in Athens, Greece, on 21 June, where the day was observed with a hatha yoga class led by Sofia Foteina, a meditation with Swami Ritavan, and a sangha gathering followed by a snack.  More about this visit and some photos can be seen in the article “Welcome home dear Swamiji Ritavan Bharati” by Sofia Foteina in this newsletter.

Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan

AHYMSIN Taiwan, AHYMSIN Hong Kong, and AHYMSIN Japan each offered times for meditation on 21 June similar in manner to the monthly Full Moon Meditations.

Hungary

Please see the article “International Day of Yoga in Hungary” by Andrea Zsolnai in this newsletter.

India, Noida

Please see the article “International Yoga Day in Noida” by Prateek Panday in this newsletter

India, Pune

Dr. Shirin Venkat reported that on the occasion of the World Yoga Day and the anniversary of the Himalayan Yoga and Meditation Center of Pune, a workshop was organized at Cloudnine Hospital in Pune on 24th June. The program included morning prayers, introduction, joints & glands with a special emphasis on the back, pranayama, meditation, breakfast, digestive breathing and Q&A.

Italy

Himalayan Yoga Institute in Florence, Italy, offered a hatha class followed by a guided meditation on 21 June.

Malaysia

📷Himalayan Yoga Science Society Sabah (HYSSS) celebrated the International Day of Yoga, as promoted by the United Nations, at Dewan Maktab Sabah, Malaysia, on 24th June 2018. The programme included arrival of Guest of Honor Datuk Peter Khoo; welcome address by S. Vanugopal, President HYSSS; address by Datuk Peter Khoo; “International Day of Yoga Celebrations the World over” by Adviser Datuk Rajah Indran; Yoga demonstration by Adults and Children led by Datin Judy Rajah; “Yoga and its benefits” by Yoga practitioners; “Yoga and Diet” by Dr. Stephanie Wong; presentation of certificates; expressions of appreciation; and refreshments.

Taiwan

Francine Kuo (Sujata) reported that Himalayan Insky Yoga celebrated the 4th International Day of Yoga at Taichung June 17, 2018, outdoors with children and adult satsang, which included Joints and Glands, Embracing the Earth, Yoga Games with children, briefing for main topic in the coming 40 days sadhana, and ending with Mantra and Meditation. To watch a video of this event, please click here.

Trinidad & Tobago

📷Yoga Meditation Society of Trinidad & Tobago (YMSTT) led 108 Surya Namaskarson the boardwalk as well as participating in and instructing Joints & Glands movements, pranayama, and relaxation. To view photos taken during the 108 Surya Namaskars, click on title. According to Cherrylene Lewis of C NEWS, "The event saw over 80 people performing Sun Salutations…”

United States of America

The Meditation Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, had a full day on June 21 and was open all day for meditation starting at 6 am. Swami Radha Bharati was available throughout the day to give guidance and answer questions about spiritual practice. Beginning at 5:30 am, there were gentle repetitions of the sun salutation lead by Nikki Strong followed by Silent Meditation.  Daniel Hertz led gentle hatha yoga starting at noon. Then at Thursday Satsang, Shauna Tuttle led a hatha yoga class at 6 pm, followed by meditation with Swami Radha and a presentation on The Art of Joyful Living by Lynn Hasel.  The day’s events concluded with soup, meditation and prayers.

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c

[email protected]. Gage for the reply and good information.

interested,

what they do in this day???? I do not have any idea

interested

Thanks Khaled Al-Farhany , Israa Dahham , and Dr. Qais Faryadi for your interest and replies

Thanks again

Many benefits of participating in Yoga community, Sangha, and of celebrating together. Lots of positive good lovely energy drawn and shared. Plus it's fun. Mostly the spiritual power between practitioners is quite an experience, reinforcing the principles and benefits of Yoga. Practice alone creates power to be used for the better of Self and society; group participation creates a unity in social application. It's all about love.

Thanks@Amy for your reply and sharing your experience.

Thanks again