Yoga

While addressing the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 27 September 2014, the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, urged the global community to adopt an International Day of Yoga.

Describing Yoga as “an invaluable gift of ancient Indian tradition,” he highlighted that it embodies unity of mind and body, harmony between man and nature, and a holistic approach to health and well-being. He emphasized that Yoga is not merely exercise but a path to discovering oneness with oneself, the world, and nature. Recognizing its potential to promote healthier lifestyles and environmental consciousness, he called upon nations to support the idea of an International Yoga Day.

On 11 December 2014, the 193-member UN General Assembly adopted the proposal by consensus, with a record 177 countries co-sponsoring the resolution, declaring 21 June as the International Day of Yoga. The UN acknowledged Yoga’s holistic approach to health and the importance of spreading awareness about its global benefits.

Yoga – A Science of Harmony

Yoga is a spiritual discipline rooted in ancient Indian philosophy. The word “Yoga” is derived from the Sanskrit root yuj, meaning “to join” or “to unite.” According to Yogic scriptures, Yoga leads to the union of individual consciousness with universal consciousness — a state referred to as mukti, nirvana, kaivalya, or moksha.

Yoga is both an art and science for healthy living. It harmonizes:

• Body and mind
• Emotion and energy
• Individual and nature

It aims to overcome suffering and bring holistic health, happiness, and balance in life.

Historical Roots of Yoga

The science of Yoga dates back thousands of years. Yogic tradition regards Lord Shiva as the Adiyogi (first yogi) and Adi Guru (first teacher). Although Yoga was practiced in the pre-Vedic period, Maharishi Patanjali systematized and codified yogic knowledge in the Yoga Sutras, providing a structured philosophical foundation.

Over centuries, sages and Yoga masters preserved and expanded this knowledge through diverse traditions, lineages, and guru–shishya paramparas, giving rise to various schools of Yoga.

Major Paths of Yoga

Yoga works on different dimensions of human existence and is broadly classified into:

• Karma Yoga – Path of action (utilizing the body)
• Jnana Yoga – Path of knowledge (utilizing the mind)
• Bhakti Yoga – Path of devotion (utilizing emotion)
• Kriya Yoga – Path of energy transformation

The widely practiced yogic disciplines include:

• Yama and Niyama
• Asana (postures)
• Pranayama (breathing techniques)
• Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi
• Bandhas and Mudras
• Shatkarmas
• Mantra–japa and other spiritual practices.