WELLNESS FOR ONE, WELLNESS FOR ALL
Assimilating the ethos of “Yoga for self and society” for a future that beholds the ideals of prosperity
Author: Srushti Sonawane
Yoga-sthah kuru karmani sangam tyaktva dhananjaya
siddhy-asiddhyoh samo bhutva samatvam yoga ucyate
“O Dhananjaya (Arjuna), perform your actions being steadfast in yoga, abandoning attachment, and remaining balanced in success and failure. Such equanimity is called yoga.”
YOGA: THE INCEPTION, FROM EARTH TO ETHER:
Balance, the point of congruence from the nucleus of the cell to the center of the cosmos, has always been the most reverent virtue for running the gamut. The Yin and Yang of life are restored with the immaculate balance of all things black and white to create the seamless concoction called “life.” To connect with the world, one must inevitably connect with oneself, and as Krishna narrates the potent of performing one’s duty, he rightfully iterates on the importance of “Yoga, the art of unifying the body and soul.” Navigating through the history of International Yoga Day, it can be traced back to the pre-Vedic period (2700 B.C.), followed by the eminent Patanjali Vedic Period. Ever since, yoga has been primarily catering to the material as well as spiritual upliftment of humanity. Emerging from the Vedas, Upanishads, Smritis, and teachings of Buddhism, Jainism, Epics, and Puranas, it has been considered one of the most significant outcomes of the Indus Saraswati Valley civilization. The origin of the word yoga, deriving from Sanskrit, is elucidated as ‘Yuj’ meaning to join or to unite, meaning the practice of synchronizing the mind and body. In Yogic lore, a yogi, through his ‘satvik’ lifestyle, overcomes all perils of existence, attaining the state of liberation (Moksha) or freedom (Kaivalya), transcending any religion or belief system.
First proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 and later adopted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) under Resolution 69/131, the celebration of International Yoga Day on June 21st is a culmination of the journey scaling from ignorance to enlightenment, rightly represented by this day since it is the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere.
To encapsulate the essence of what yoga has to offer, Jigar Gor likes to put it, “Yoga is not about touching your toes; it’s about what you learn on the way down.” With humility and absolute surrender, one is not just enabled to contribute well to society but also to connect with their inner self, which amounts to the best meditative practice to exist. As we mark the 10th International Yoga Day this year, Ashray Foundation, through its humanitarian deeds, aligns with the theme of “Yoga for Self and Society,” encouraging people to integrate the beneficial habit of practicing yoga regularly, paving the path to lasting wellness.
A DROP IN THE OCEAN- INITITAIVES IN INDIA FOR INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY
A little nudge by the governmental initiatives has added all the necessary flair to the significance of International Yoga Day. Pursuant to the same, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is spearheading a remarkable initiative, ‘Yoga for Space,’ to underline the importance of International Yoga Day, 2024. Pulling out of the office, ISRO scientists and officials will perform yoga together, following the Common Yoga Protocol guidelines. Illustrating how individual well-being contributes to collective harmony and productivity, even in a high-stress environment like space research, the team from ‘Gaganyaan’ will also participate synergistically with ISRO.
On similar lines with the International Yoga Day 2024 theme, the Ministry of Ayush has launched several initiatives to promote yoga’s benefits through technology and community engagement. Keeping up with the challenges of experimenting with yoga-related tools, software, and accessories, the Yoga Tech Challenge on the MyGov and MyBharat portals seeks to identify and support start-ups and individuals who are keen on developing such innovations. With a fun twist in the picture, they have also held an online “Yoga with Family” video contest in collaboration with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), inviting families to share their yoga practices as they take up a unique yoga challenge, showcasing one of the revered attributes of our nation, “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.” Going beyond the terrestrial reach, the ‘Ocean Ring of Yoga’ program will involve yoga demonstrations at ports and on ships, riding on the waves of global unity and compassion. Tracing back to the remotest corners of the country and encouraging local communities, including Panchayats, Anganwadis, and health and wellness centers, to actively participate in yoga demonstrations is the key agenda for the ‘Har Aangan Yog’ initiative. Approaching the terrains and oceans with such a comprehensive approach truly embodies the theme of “yoga for self and society,” not just to promote physical and mental wellbeing but also to string the beads of empathy and accord together.
WELLNESS AT ASHRAY
When you say wellness, we say Ashray! Health and hygiene being one of the foregrounds of Ashray Foundation, we have always inclined ourselves towards the collective wellbeing of marginalized communities, creating a resilient ecosystem for these communities to thrive as an integral part of society. Through our extensive “Beauty and Wellness” initiative conducted at Vejalpur, Ahmedabad, we were successful in implementing an annual program that focused on imparting state-of-the-art knowledge on cosmetology and yoga sessions for the women emerging from the slums. Their health is often turned a blind eye to amidst the tedious routine of a making a house a home. Seeing these women choose themselves, their health, and their wellness has certainly inspired us to carry this baton further, avowing to take this International Yoga Day as an opportunity to amalgamate ‘self’ with the ‘society.’
A PLEDGE TOWARDS WELL-BEING
Yoga is a simplification of the complexities of the human body, mind, and kind. With the perennial temptations that life has to offer, it is easier to give in than to build up a requisite restraint around our choices. As suggested by the Yoga sutras of Patanjali, “Yogaś citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ”, which talks about how Yoga can be the cessation of the fluctuations of mind, it is crucial to note that the habits built over time can have a prolonged impact on one’s health and overall well-being. Leveraging collective momentum, the Embassy of India organized a yoga demonstration on the banks of Phewa Lake in Pokhara, Kathmandu, on Wednesday (June 19), exhibiting their reinforcements about International Yoga Day. Trailblazing the path forward, the Ministry of AYUSH conducted a Yoga Mahotsav coinciding with World Health Day (7th of April), with over 5000 yoga enthusiasts participating in the 75-day countdown to IDY-2024. The Mahotsav saw active participation from Gram Pradhans, Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers/self-help groups, Ayush health and wellness centers, resident welfare associations (RWAs), women welfare organizations, school children, and more, acknowledging the power of yoga and aligning with the virtues of the Ashray Foundation by highlighting a holistic health and wellness approach.
Popularized as the “technology of the soul,” yoga has blossomed into various schools, each with its own unique flavour. From the knowledge-focused Jnana-yoga to the divine Bhakti-yoga, from the action-oriented Karma-yoga to the meditative Dhyana-yoga, there’s a yoga style for every preference. These diverse traditions, with their distinct principles and practices, all lead to the same ultimate goal: the essence of yoga itself. Our PM has conveyed a heartfelt message saying, “As we approach this year’s Yoga Day, it is essential to reiterate our commitment to making yoga an integral part of our lives and also encourage others to make it a part of theirs. Yoga offers a sanctuary of calm, enabling us to navigate life’s challenges with calm and fortitude.” We too acutely urge our readers to engage with the imperative Yamas’s (restraints) and Niyama’s (observances) of life and experience the fulfillment of utter emancipation.