International Yoga Day 2021: Know Its History, Significance, This Year's Theme & Basic Rules To Follow

Although Yoga is an ancient form of practices aimed at promoting overall wellbeing, the choice of a particular day for the celebration is a recent one. Know all about it here.

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International Yoga Day 2021: Yoga is about integrating body, mind, and soul having been practiced for overall wellbeing since ancient times. International Yoga Day is observed to spread awareness about the traditional Yoga practices and to emphasise their impact in promoting a fulfilling lifestyle.

Yoga is not restricted to religion and is not just about a set of exercises for physical health - it goes beyond these boundaries to promote spirituality and mindfullness.

History

Although Yoga is an ancient form of practices aimed at promoting overall wellbeing, the choice of a particular day for the celebration is a recent one as on September 27, 2014, PM Narendra Modi proposed the idea of the same during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly.

Then the draft resolution passed by India was backed by record 177 nations and then June 21 was chosen to be the day for celebrating Yoga. June 21, 2015 was celebrated as International Yoga Day for the first time.

Significance

As previously stated, Yoga day aims to promote the ancient traditional practices boosting bodily agility along techniques instilling mental and emotional wellbeing. It is a tool of living a fulfilling life having being practiced since time immemorial.

The day is about spreading awareness on beneficial postures and practices that are made even more necessary amid the Coronavirus pandemic which is not just affecting people's physical health but also triggering stress and even depression.

According to the UN website, the theme for International Yoga Day 2021 is 'Yoga for well-being'.

Basic Rules Of Yoga

Following are the basic rules of Yoga to be followed every time a person practices the asanas. These are over and above the specific guidelines for each set of postures.

• Yoga should be done on an empty stomach which is why it is most beneficial to do it before breakfast in the morning. Otherwise, wait for 2 to 3 hours to practice in case you have had a meal.
• Begin with easy yoga poses and then move on to more complex ones as seen in regular exercise, this is just like a warm-up for the body.
• Always practise yoga postures on yoga mats or thick bed sheets and on hard ground.
• Relax for at least 10 seconds after each yoga exercise.
• Be mindful of your breathing throughout - it is very important to follow required breathing along with exercise. This is not just restricted to specific breathing exercises but for all asanas.