If both the mind and the body of an individual function harmoniously, we consider him/her to be healthy. The ancient Indian rishis had recognised this symbiotic relationship of mind and body long ago.
New Delhi: It is well known to all that their minds and bodies are closely interconnected. Any deviation in either of them will surely affect the other, one or in another way. If both the mind and the body of an individual function harmoniously, we consider him/her to be healthy. The ancient Indian rishis had recognised this symbiotic relationship of mind and body long ago.
Experiencing and realizing human science in all aspects, they observed and gathered different bodily postures and kriyas to lead a healthy lifestyle. Over a period of time of long research, they found that doing such harmonious practice in day-to-day life keeps the body both physically and mentally healthy and free from organic illnesses as well. They also observed that practicing vyamas (yoga postures) on a daily basis along with consuming timely satvik (pure) food slows down the aging process of an individual. This is one big aspect of yoga. The term yoga means union. It is a union of mind and body, man and humanity etc. It is also a union of physical, mental and spiritual practices.
Yoga was first mentioned in Rigveda. There are Four types of yoga — Karma yoga, Bhakti yoga, Raja yoga and Jnana yoga. In the 19th Century, through Swami Vivekananda and Paramahansa Yogananda’s efforts of a universal approach, the practice of yoga had spread to many countries across the globe.
Till the 20th century it had been well practiced by Indians and had many followers but by the end of the 20th Century, it gradually disappeared from amid the common people and was only confined to some gurukul ashramas and institutions.
After the invasion of western culture into Indian society, yoga has completely abolished from the domain of common people and later, people understood this when western people added the alphabet “a” at the end of “yog”.
The originality of yoga has been destroyed by its commercialisation way of presentation. We have forgotten our ‘Sanatani’ lifestyle and become more western-centric and because of this, anarchy is spreading in society. As on date, most of us are not happy mentally, physically, socially and spiritually.
To overcome this and to re-establish a harmonious environment in society and in the country as well, we have to restart our original way of lifestyle.
We, the citizens of India, should be grateful to our Prime Minister for re-establishing our lost identity/glory through his efforts by celebrating June 21 as the International Yoga Day across the world. It’s an appeal not to be confined to a single-day action to post photos on social media but make a resolution to start at least a simple yoga practice in our daily routine.
Celebrating any special day is essentially required for a symbolic representation. Such a distinct day awakens us and gives us an opportunity to discuss, which generates an urge towards the subject to take action. So, leaving all fancy forms of yoga, follow the guidance/teachings of the core yoga gurus and yoga institutions. The Ayush ministry of the Government Of India also releases so many videos on the interest of the public.
Among other yoga institutions of repute are:
- Bihar School of Yoga, Munger, Bihar.
2. Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (SVYASA), Bangalore, Karnataka.
3. Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, New Delhi.
Come let us get ready to celebrate the great event of International Yoga Day on June 21 to start and add yoga to our day-to-day life.
ॐ सह नाववतु ।
सह नौ भुनक्तु ।
सह वीर्यं करवावहै ।
तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ।
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥
OM
1. May God protect us both together (Teacher and Student),
2. May God nourish/energize (bhunaktu) us both together,
3. May we work (karva) together with vitality and energy (vīryaṃ),
4. May our study (adhitam) be enlightening (tejasvi), not giving rise to hostility (vidviṣāvahai) (which may arise due to lack of understanding and knowledge)
5. OM, peace (śāntiḥ) (in me), peace (in nature), peace (in divine forces).
(Dr Dillip Kumar Senapati is a Homoeopathic Consultant with over 20 years of experience in the clinical practice of Homoeopathy. He always emphasises on the preventive part and provides treatment by blending Homoeopathy and a healthy lifestyle)
