7th International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2021

Why in News?

Recently, Seventh International Day of Yoga (21st June 2021) is being celebrated by the Ministry of Culture at various cultural heritage locations across the country.

• The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations to celebrate International Day of Yoga (IDY) on every year since 2015.
• Recognizing this important role of Yoga, this year’s commemoration of the International Day of Yoga focuses on “Yoga for well-being” - how the practice of Yoga can promote the holistic health of every individual.

IDY 2021 Theme: Yoga for well-being

Major Points:

Background:

• Recognizing its universal appeal, on 11 December 2014, the United Nations proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of Yoga by resolution 69/131.
• The proposal was first introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address during the opening of the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly, in which he said: “Yoga is an invaluable gift from our ancient tradition."
• The draft resolution establishing the International Day of Yoga was proposed by India and endorsed by a record 175 member states.
• The first Yoga Day celebrations in 2015 at Rajpath in New Delhi created two Guinness World Records.

What is Yoga?

• Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India.
• The word ‘yoga’ derives from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness.
• Yoga is not just about exercise; it is a way to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature.
• The United Nations offers yoga resources to its personnel and others on the COVID-19 portal's section on Wellness.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) mentions yoga as a means to improve health in its Global action plan on physical activity 2018–2030: more active people for a healthier world.
• UNICEF says kids can practice many yoga poses without any risk and get the same benefits that adults do. These benefits include increased flexibility and fitness, mindfulness and relaxation.

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Why 21 June?

21st June was selected because it’s known as Summer Solstice (one of the two Solstices) and it is the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere which has special significance in many parts of the world.

What are the Solstices Position of the Earth?

Position of the earth on 21 June (Summer Solstice):

The North Pole is inclined or tilted towards the Sun. It, therefore, experiences complete light for 24 hours. The South Pole is tilted away from the sun so it is in complete darkness for 24 hours. The rays of the Sun fall vertically at the Tropic of Cancer (23½º N). In the Northern hemisphere, the days are longer than the nights. It is summer in the northern hemisphere and winter in the southern hemisphere. The day 21 June is known as summer solstice.

Position of the earth on 22 December (Winter Solstice):

The South Pole is inclined towards the Sun and the North Pole is away from it. The rays of the sun fall vertically at the Tropic of Capricorn (23½° S). The greater part of the southern hemisphere gets the direct rays of the sun so the days are long and the nights are short here. In the northern hemisphere the nights are longer than the days at this time. The southern hemisphere has summer. The northern hemisphere has winter. This day (22 December), when the sun’s rays fall vertically on the Tropic of Capricorn, is known as winter solstice. 

7^th International Day of Yoga 2021:

• Prays for health of every country, society and individual.
• Announces M-Yoga App,  says the app will help in achieving ‘One World One Health’.
• Fusion of modern technology and ancient science – m-yoga app will help in spreading yoga world over and will contribute to the efforts of ‘One World One Health’.
• Yoga helped people to muster confidence and strength to fight with the pandemic world over.
• Frontline Corona warriors made Yoga their shield and also helped their patients.
• The shift from silos to union is Yoga. A proven way to experience, a realisation of oneness is Yoga.
• Mantra of  ‘VasudhaivKutumbakam’ is finding global acceptance.
• Yoga during online classes is making children strong in the fight against Corona.

 

Yoga for Unity and Well-being 100 days towards the International Day of Yoga- 

“Yoga for Unity and Well-being” is an initiative of leading Yoga Institutions and schools who have come together to present the best that Yoga has to offer, with a message of unity and harmony. This program is being organized under the auspices of Ministry of AYUSH, Govt of India and in collaboration with United Nations Information Centre and partners.

Benefits of Yoga:

• It takes care of physical health as well as mental health.
• Yoga helped people to muster confidence and strength to fight with the Covid-19 pandemic world over.
• Yoga also gives us a happier way of life. Yoga will continue playing its preventive, as well as positive role in healthcare of masses.
• The experts are stressing the importance of breathing exercises like pranayama and anulom-vilom for strengthening our respiratory system.
• Yoga is immunity booster and it is preparing children to fight Corona.

Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore "the meaning of our self is not to be found in its separateness from God and others, but in the ceaseless realization of yoga, of union."

 

Quoting from Gita, we need to continue moving on the collective journey of yoga as yoga has solution for everyone. It is important that yoga reaches to every person while keeping intact its foundation and core.

Also Read:  Importance of Yoga during COVID-19 Pandemic

Source: UN, PIB