Yoga is an ancient practice from India that cares for our body, mind, and spirit. The word comes from the Sanskrit root 'yuj', which means to join or unite. It brings unity between the mind and the body, thought and action, and humans and nature. Ancient seals from the Sindhu-Sarasvati Civilisation show that yoga was practiced thousands of years ago. Later, Sage Patanjali arranged these teachings systematically in his famous book, the 'Yoga Sutras of Patanjali'. He explained that yoga helps to keep our mind calm and free from disturbances.
Practising yoga regularly brings many wonderful benefits to our daily lives. Yoga postures, known as asanas, stretch and strengthen our muscles. They make the body more flexible, improve our balance, and build our endurance. They also help relieve common body aches, such as lower back pain. In addition, yogic breathing exercises and meditation help us relax. They reduce worries and stress, increase our attention span in studies, and help us sleep better at night. Yoga also supports our heart health, lowers blood pressure, and boosts the body's immune system to fight illnesses.
When we do yoga, we must focus our mind on our body. Every movement should be smooth and matched with our breathing. We can start yoga at any time, but it should be done quietly and without any distractions. Today, yoga has gained respect all around the world for its holistic approach to health. To celebrate this ancient gift, the United Nations declared 21st June as International Yoga Day. Moreover, the World Health Organisation launched a free mobile application called WHO mYOGA to share helpful guides with people everywhere. By making yoga a part of our daily routine, we can lead a healthy, peaceful, and happy life.