World Yoga Day is celebrated on the 21st of June after the United Nations declared the day in 2015. This year will be the fourth International Yoga Day with thousands celebrating worldwide. Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested 21st of June as Yoga Day to the UN in 2014. This is because the 21st is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
History of Yoga: The history of Yoga has a bit of obscurity and uncertainty. This is because of the oral transmission of the sacred texts. The initial texts relating to Yoga were written on fragile palm leaves over 5,000 years ago. Most were lost and lesser information was gained. Some researchers believe Yoga dates back 10,000 years. The term Yoga was first mentioned in the Rig Veda – the oldest sacred text.
Benefits Of Practising Yoga: The relaxed approach Yoga takes helps with chronic pain such as arthritis, headaches and back pain. Yoga also helps in lowering blood pressure and reducing insomnia.
Yoga’s main rule is a consistent and conscious breathing pattern. It is said most problems can be cured with proper breathing. Yoga is a subtle exercise that helps improve your all round fitness. Many who practice Yoga state it brings inner peace and a deeper relation between body and mind.
Influential Yoga Teachers: Yoga is taught all across the world but there were a few who spread the word. They have taught and given people as they call it “a way of life.” On the occasion of World Yoga Day, it only seems fit to mention the great masters of Yoga.
Swami Vivekananda – A spiritual monk from the 19th century, Vivekananda traveled to the West. He not only delivered a noteworthy speech to thousands of Americans but also introduced the art of Yoga. Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana or S-VYASA is a deemed University in Bengaluru based on the Yoga teachings of Swami.
T. Krishnamacharya – He is popularly known as the Father of Modern Indian Yoga. This Yoga master was behind reviving the Hatha Yoga and developing Vinyasa. He released three books on Yoga and taught mainly in Mysore. He educated the next generations for years and died at the age of 100.
B. K. S. Iyengar – Iyengar was one of the most renowned yoga teachers in the world. He went on to be among the 100 most influential people in the world in 2004. The Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI) is located in Pune. It promotes Iyengar’s teachings to thousands of students.
Dhirendra Brahmachari – From Bihar, Brahmachari was the first to promote Yoga state vise with the help of Doordarshan. He is also famously known for being the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s Yoga teacher. Brahmachari was also responsible for introducing Yoga as a subject in Delhi administered schools.
Jaggi Vasudev – Born into a Telugu family, Vasudev is one of the most famous Yogis in India today. He set up the Isha Foundation which is a non religious and non profit organization. Isha Foundation teaches the Yoga way of life all over India and runs entirely by volunteers. Vasudev has penned a number of books and is a New York best selling author.
