World Yoga Day: peace for humanity

Performed in various forms around the word, yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice that helps humankind to find peace within themselves and connect with their surroundings. On June 21 every year, the International Day of Yoga is celebrated worldwide, aiming to raise awareness of the many benefits of practicing yoga. The theme for this year’s Yoga Day celebrations is “Yoga for Humanity”.

What is yoga?

Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated 5,000 years ago in India. The word ‘yoga’ derives from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness, according to the UN. 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), yoga can help a person lose weight, relieve stress, improve immunity, build physical fitness, maintain mental and emotional well-being, and prevent and control non-communicable diseases (NCDs). It can be practiced anywhere, at any time, and requires no financial investment. Many countries have included yoga in their preventive health strategies.

History of International Day of Yoga 

The idea of the International Day of Yoga was first proposed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 27, 2014. The date of June 21 was chosen as it is the Summer Solstice, the day with the most sun compared to every other day of the year. The proposal received support from 177 nations, the highest number of co-sponsors for any UN resolution, proclaiming June 21 as the International Day of Yoga, according to National Today. 

On June 21, 2015, nearly 36,000 people, including Prime Minister Modi and many other high-profile political figures from all around the world, performed 21 yoga postures for 35 minutes in New Delhi in what was the first International Day of Yoga, and the day has been celebrated around the globe ever since, National Today stated. 

Dina’s transformational story 

Dina Farouk, an Egyptian RYT-500 yoga teacher, told Jusoor Post that practicing yoga has a very positive impact on human psychological, physical, and mental health. 

“I have chosen yoga because it helps me in forging a deeper connection with myself. While practicing yoga, I can deeply feel my senses, I am aware of my very existence, and I can control my mind. Yoga is the best choice to deal with everyday stresses,” Dina said. 

“Since I was born, I have been suffering from Patellar Instability. I decided to exercise and become a trainer in order to challenge myself and get over my pain. I became a spinning instructor and a yoga teacher, but it is yoga that helps me to accept myself the way I am and count my blessings,” she added.

Dina pointed out that society used to regard the practice of yoga by men as something shameful; it was restricted to women. She affirmed that the culture has recently changed and the number of men who practice yoga has been increasing. “Men who work out and get injured are advised by their physiotherapists to practice yoga. When they start to practice it, they understand its importance and how it positively affects them in different dimensions,” Dina told Jusoor Post.