INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY

International Yoga Day is observed every year on June 21 since 2015 following its inception in the United Nations General Assembly in 2014. A record 177 countries supported the resolution.

Yoga is said to have originated over 5,000 years ago in India.

The word 'Yoga' was mentioned in ancient Indian texts like the Rig Veda, the earliest amongst the Vedas.

Scholars, Rishis (sages) of the Vedic times documented their practices in the Upanishads. Upanishads contain extremely valuable core teachings of Indian philosophy containing over 200 scriptures.

The idea for an UN-mandated International Day of Yoga was first proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

During his speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2014, Modi proposed the idea.

Modi called Yoga an 'invaluable gift of India's ancient tradition' calling for 'harmony between man and nature' through Yoga. Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice that originated in India and is helping people lead a healthier lifestyle.

The day is marked to raise awareness of the many benefits of Yoga. Indian Yoga which is practiced in its various forms is slowly garnering popularity across the globe. Scientific research has proven that Yoga can help reduce stress levels, increase awareness, build immunity, and strong physical and mental health along with helping regularize the systems of the body overall.

Amid the adverse times of the pandemic, this year the International Day of Yoga is putting its focus on well-being beyond the immediate impact on physical health. International Yoga Day 2021, which will be observed on Monday next week, carries the theme 'Yoga for well-being', at a time when society is still recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 crisis has had a vastly negative impact on people ranging from physical, mental, psychological, emotional, societal, and not to forget the financial aspect of it. The pandemic has left many with mental health issues, loneliness, constant fear, psychological suffering, depression, and anxiety.

Yoga asanas and breathing exercises for post-Covid healingAhead of International Yoga Day, to help with the recovery via yoga, here are simple yoga asanas that go a long way in building immunity, relaxing the body and mind, leading to faster healing post-Covid. As the country reels from the pandemic and a severe wave of COVID, so many have had a tough fight with the deadly virus and are going through a slow recovery.

The ancient practice of yoga can help from increasing ones immunity to improving the function of vital organs of the body. IT also helps from reducing stress to battling depression, yoga can be of great help in post covid recovery.

Ahead of International Yoga Day, to help with the recovery via yoga, here are simple yoga asanas that go a long way in building immunity, relaxing the body and mind, leading to faster healing post-Covid.

Pranayam and Anulom Vinlom

The concept of pranayama is often mistaken for deep breathing. However, pranayama is slow breathing so that there is sufficient time for every part of the lung to absorb oxygen. It helps to energise the body. Whereas, anulom vilom is a specific type of controlled breathing. It involves holding one nostril closed while inhaling, then holding the other nostril closed while exhaling. Alternate nostril breathing is said to have many physical and psychological benefits, including stress reduction and improved breathing and circulation.

Staff pose

This simple asana help to stretch the shoulders and chest. IT strengthens the back muscles and improves posture too. Sit on the floor with your legs extended to the front. Keeping your back straight, keep your pelvis slightly elevated. You can use your cushion or blanket for the same. If you're facing difficulty in keeping your back straight, you can rest against a wall. While your shoulders should touch the wall, the lower back and head must not. Sit on the front of the sitting bones so that the pubis and tailbone are equidistant from the floor. Firm the thighs, press them down against the floor, without hardening the belly, and flex your ankles and feet and hold the pose for 2-3 minutes

Cobra pose

The first pose is Bhujangasana or the Cobra pose. Designed to open the chest muscles, the Bhujangasana is a beginner-friendly pose that not only provides relief in asthamatic conditions but also allows one to calm the mind and promotes an overall feeling of happiness.

Butterfly pose

This asana is helpful for stretching the inner thighs, groin and knees. It improves flexibility and helps to reduce fatigue from long hours of standing and walking. Sit straight and bend your knees. Bring your feet towards the pelvis and let the soles of your feet touch each other. Hold your feet tightly with your hands and taking deep breathes, press your thighs and knees downward gently towards the floor. Start flapping both the thighs up and down like the wings of a butterfly.

Cat and Cow pose

This asana combines the Cat pose (Marjaryasana) and Cow pose (Bitilasana) to gently stretch the body and warm-up it up. Come on all your fours and look down at the mat. While inhaling drop your belly towards the mat and lift your chin and chest, and gaze up toward the ceiling. Move into the Cat pose by exhaling. Just like a cat stretches its back, draw your belly to your spine and pull your back toward the ceiling.

Yoga is an age old and powerful practice that works on both body and mind. This is why it not only helps in transforming one's physical body but improves emotional overall personality too. However, there's a common misconception that yoga is all about complicated postures.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has also recommended Yoga as means to improve health. Its various benefits inclu

Cures Asthma and anxiety: The lifting of the chest in the Cobra Pose opens the chest cavity and helps the lungs to expand and heart for anxiety relief, wonderfully dissipating asthma and allergy are the most avowed health benefits of bhujangasana.

Greater Strength and Flexibility: Practice Cobra Pose to strengthen your spine, gluteal muscles, thighs, and shoulders. Bhujangasana is one of the great ways to give a natural stretch to the spine bringing in more flexibility.

Therapeutic for Back Pain: The yoga asana stretches the shoulders, chest, and releases tightness in the upper body that comes from constant sitting and hunching.

Healthy Gut: As a practitioner performs the cobra pose, the frontal plane of the body is stretched that encourages optimal functioning of the abdominal organs. Simultaneously, the lower back is compressed that rejuvenates the kidneys. Overall, the gastrointestinal fluid gets stimulated and you get a healthy gut.

Mood Enhancer: The Cobra Pose powerfully relieves fatigue from the body and calms the mind thereby enhancing the mood of the practitioners.