I have always emphasized upon the importance of following our age-old traditions, and one among the many Indian practices is Yoga.
The history of yoga is ancient and complex, spanning thousands of years and evolving through various cultures and philosophies. Yoga is said to have originated in Ancient India and its history can be traced back to over 5,000 years to ancient India. The word “yoga” derives from the Sanskrit root “yuj,” meaning to yoke or unite, suggesting its aim to bring harmony between mind, body, and spirit.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, yoga was introduced to the West and underwent further transformation. Swami Vivekananda and Paramahansa Yogananda played key roles in popularizing yoga outside of India. Yoga became associated not just with spiritual growth but also with physical fitness and mental well-being. Today, yoga encompasses a wide range of styles and practices and is practiced by millions worldwide for physical health, mental clarity, stress relief, and spiritual growth.
Throughout its history, yoga has adapted and assimilated different influences while maintaining its core principles of mindfulness, self-awareness, and unity. It continues to evolve as practitioners explore its benefits in modern contexts around the globe.
Though Yoga is ancient, I feel it is most relevant in the present times. The cut throat competition brings in anxiety and stress amongst even school children. The only answer to relieving stress and anxiety is practicing Yoga and more importantly Pranayama and meditation. Yoga incorporates breathing exercises (pranayama) and meditation techniques that promote relaxation and calms the mind, leading to better mental health. Therefore, for those who cannot mitigate stress, Yoga becomes an important tool that can help them overcome the impacts of stress and not allow their body or mind to be harmed by it.
Overall, the benefits of yoga are comprehensive, addressing physical fitness, mental health, and spiritual well-being. Whether practiced for relaxation, exercise, or spiritual growth, yoga offers a holistic approach to health that can be adapted to suit individual needs and preferences.
Yoga offers numerous benefits for children, supporting their physical, mental, and emotional development in various ways. The asanas help children develop strength, flexibility, and balance. Regular practice can improve their overall physical fitness, coordination, and motor skills. Yoga involves mindfulness and concentration on breathing and body movements. This can help children improve their ability to focus, pay attention, and stay present in the moment, which can be beneficial in academic settings.
Yoga practice involves consistency and discipline in practicing poses (asanas) and it instills a sense of responsibility for one’s own health and well-being. We at Symbiosis have introduced ‘Surya Namaskar’ in our schools which is a complete form of asana that helps the whole body rejuvenate early morning!
I feel very happy to see that the children of Symbiosis School practice Yoga diligently. The efforts that they will put in during their school days will help them inculcate this habit of practicing Yoga which will help them later in life as routine practice of Yoga and Pranayam certainly reduces the risk of lifestyle disorders like Diabetes and Hypertension. Yoga also brings in the virtues of patience and dedication into the personalities of young children.
I feel so proud that our age-old tradition of Yoga has gained importance worldwide due to the efforts of our Hon’ble Prime Minister. Due to his efforts, the UN declared 21st June as International Yoga day. I happened to be in UK on the 21st of June and was amazed to see how people from different walks of life celebrated the International Yoga Day in London and thanked us as Indians for spreading this awareness of Yoga worldwide!
I am sure that like me when other Indians see that Yoga is being given so much recognition and respect across the world, they too feel proud. Let us as proud Indians uphold our rich Indian traditions!