On yoga day, India virtually celebrates this ancient traditional practice

Yoga is an ancient practice originating in India, with many benefits for self-knowledge and a valuable tool against stress., management of anxiety and emotions. During a pandemic, has become an ideal ally against isolation, since it can be easily practiced in any space of the house, as well as outdoors, individually or collectively.

It is a physical, mental and spiritual practice of an ancient tradition, originating in India. The word “yoga” comes from Sanskrit and means unity because it symbolizes the union of body and mind.. Today, various forms of yoga are practiced and their success and number of followers is increasing all over the world.

According to the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, “Yoga is an invaluable teaching of the ancient Indian tradition, where the mind is unified with the body, thought and action, control and limitations, harmony between man and nature and a holistic approach to health and wellness are made. Yoga does not only mean exercises, it is also the discovery of oneself and the relationship with the rest, the world and nature. Lifestyle change and awareness can help us deal with climate change. Let’s work towards the International Day of Yoga ”.

The initiative aims to disseminate Yoga as part of the AYUSH ministry of the Indian government, created by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for promote alternative health systems that complement western medicine, including ayurveda, yoga and naturopathy, unani, siddha and homeopathy (AYUSH).

This year the seventh edition of the International Yoga Day, organized as on all occasions by the Indian Embassy in Buenos Aires. From June 12 to 19, online practices of not only yoga, but also meditation, mantras and even talks will take place and on June 20 will be the main celebration. The full program can be followed live through the Web page and embassy social networks such as Facebook and YouTube, and It will have the participation of the best institutions present in the country, as well as famous artists related to Yoga and Ayurveda.. Once the event is over, it will be available on the same platforms to continue practicing yoga at home at any time.

Like last year, This edition will be carried out with practices centered on the current context of containment. Also, space will be given to renowned personalities of Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India, so that they can disseminate the different ways in which this discipline can be used to strengthen immunity and have tools to do facing the anxiety, stress and fear generated by confinement. The activities will take place entirely online, which makes this edition even more accessible and inclusive so that everyone can do yoga at home.

In dialogue with Infobae, the Indian Ambassador to Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay Dinesh Bhatia, said: “Since 2014, India has asked the United Nations (UN) to declare June 21 International Yoga Day, which is the longest in the northern hemisphere of the world and the shortest in the southern part, like here in Argentina. This is how it was established, and Since 2015 we have been celebrating this important day every year and in all countries, large and small towns that celebrate Yoga.This is the seventh edition and this time we are celebrating this Sunday since the 21st is Monday ”.

“In Argentina, if we speak of yoga practitioners, the country has the maximum number of people per capita who follow this ancestral discipline.. Every corner, not only in Buenos Aires, but also in every province, every city, every corner has a school of yoga. There are even many teachers who have gone to India to learn it, many have learned it here in Argentina and they always accompany us to celebrate, we are very happy, ”said Bhatia.

According to what the ambassador explained, “yoga means add, add, it comes from the Sanskrit language, the oldest language in the world. This word means to add body, soul and spirit, to get a better life, a healthier life. It’s not just physical exercise, it’s more. You meditate and a symbiosis of body, mind and soul is achieved”. On the other hand, “this person adds to his God all that he venerates or believes”.

Dinesh Bhatia advanced to Infobae: “This year we have a special campaign with Argentinian celebrities who do yoga in Argentina, who participate with us in this great celebration, among them Nacha guevara, Patricia sosa, Olmi boy, Claudio Maria Domínguez; and at the closing event, the presenter will be Soledad Silveyra, will act as the mistress of ceremonies, and they will also be Eleonora Wexler, Sofia Giménez, Thelma Fardin, Reina Reech, Fabián Vena, Paula Morales, Pablo Alarcón, Barbie Simons and Daisy May Queen who lived in India for many years, among other important figures ”.

Why is International Yoga Day celebrated?

Such is the relevance of Yoga today and in the world that in 2014, the 193 members of the United Nations, and with the consensus of 177 cosponsoring countries, approved the proposal to declare June 21 “International Yoga Day”. Since then, massive practices have taken place around the world every year in more than 190 countries, with India being the main center of the celebration.

In 2018, the largest practice in history was held in India, with over 100,000 yogis gathered to celebrate this very important day for humanity.. In its resolution, the UN recognized the benefits of yoga in its holistic approach to health and wellness and the wide dissemination of information on the benefits of practicing this discipline as a means of improving the health of the body. world population. Yoga also brings harmony to all stages of life and that is why it is a recognized tool in the prevention of diseases, promoting a healthy lifestyle and thus allowing the control of many disorders related to everyday life. The celebration of this day serves to sensitize the population to the benefits of the practice of yoga.

Celebrations from Saturday 12 to Saturday 19 June

With the collaboration of more than 30 yoga institutions present in Argentina, all activities broadcast live this week will cover various topics, such as Hatha Yoga practices to start the day, guided meditations, lectures on yoga philosophy, mindful breathing, inclusive yoga, among others.

Yoga and meditation are extremely popular in Argentina, with a large number of followers in institutions founded in India participating in this edition, such as Brahma Kumaris, The Art of Living, Ramakrishna Ashrama, Sivananda, Iskcon, Sahaja Yoga, Arsha Vidya Foundation, among others. Added to this are established local institutions such as Hastinapura Foundation, Prema Ayurveda Foundation, Ananda Yoga Center, School of Divine Values, Ashtanga Yoga Palermo, Natha Yoga School, among others. Important universities have also generated technical degrees and specializations in these fields, such as the Universidad del Salvador, the Universidad del Gran Rosario and the Universidad de la Patagonia. Many of these universities and institutions have agreements with the Ministry of AYUSH and important Indian universities.

Main festival on Sunday June 20

As the main celebration, a closing program will be broadcast from the Embassy with the special direction of Soledad Silveyra and a live broadcast from the Bombonera stadium. It will also have the presence of renowned personalities in Argentina and figures related to Yoga and Ayurveda. In addition, yoga practices and presentations of Indian music and artistic dance will be shown. This program will start at 9 a.m. and will have the presence of the ambassador, Dinesh Bhatia.

General yoga protocol

The objective of observing the International Yoga Day on June 21 is the Massive harmonious yoga demonstrations involving millions of people around the world, in thousands of places. When people’s participation is on such a scale, there must be a serious planning behind it, so that the manifestation is harmonious. Some of the most successful yoga gurus in India have come together to tackle this problem. They developed the general yoga protocol for this purpose, which is basically a specific 45 minute sequence of yoga asanas (postures). The asanas and practices that are part of the protocol are selected in such a way as to provide maximum health and wellness rewards to a diverse group of people of health profiles, age, etc. Experts believe that beginners can learn it in about 15 sessions of one hour each.

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